When Idon’t answer, and lay down another shitty card, she nods. I see hergaze go to Rosie, and her expression turns unapproving. “I’d steerclear of her if I were you.” The woman says under herbreath.
“Again, none of your business.” I warn. I take another sip ofbeer.
“You’d best be steering clear of that, too, darlin’. I’ve seenthat far too often as well.”
“What are you? Mother Goose?” I sneer.
“No, but I’ve been around these parts a long time, sugar, andI’ve seen it all. You…you like you’ve got promise. But I can see itin your eyes that you’re losing it tonight. You hang on, sugar.Have some faith in yourself and in God, and you’ll get through it.”She looks at Rosie again. “You’d be better of single, too. Not withthe likes of her.”
“Thanks.” I raise an errant hand. “I’ve heardenough.”
Rosiecatches on that I’m talking to this other woman. “She giving youtrouble, Will?”
I lookat her. “No, it’s fine. Can we go back to the hotel?”
Shepouts. “Whats matter? We’re just getting started.”
God, Ihate it when women do that. Ellie never pouted, but my sisters did,mom too. “Fine. Get me another beer.”
Rosieraises her hand, and the waitress comes almost instantly, like shehad a beacon or something. When the hand is over, the older womanleaves, but not without patting me on the shoulder. “You take care,son.” She says.
Twohours later, I’m a wasted, broke...nothing. Rosie is killing it,though. I have no idea how much bread she’s won, but the smile onher face is pretty telling, especially seeing as she hasn’t takenme back to the room yet. It’s not until four o’clock in themorning, when the beer is finally wearing off, that I tally up mylosses. The lump in my throat comes as I realize what financialdamage I’ve inflicted on myself after twelve hours of drunkenstupidity.
What Ishould do is call Ellie. But I don’t. Because as I’m about to pickup the phone, Rosie stops me. And as much as the screaming insidemy head, telling me to call Ellie, get on a plane, and cut mylosses, like an idiot, I make yet another mistake. Rosie watches asI scan my bank account, chin quivering. “I can help you out, youknow.”
“I really don’t think you can, Rosie.” I say, voice cracking.“Not unless you’re willing to finance a house for me. And I reallythink that your husband would kick my ass if I ever had the ballsto ask.”
“That’s exactly what I’m talking about, Will. Humphrey canhelp you.”
“If he finds out that I’m fucking his wife, I’m sure he canhelp me, right after he chops my nuts off.”
Shescoffs, chuckling. “You know that Humphrey and I have anunderstanding, Will. He won’t hurt you. He hasn’t touched any ofthe men I’ve been seeing over the years.”
Twisted,but whatever, her marital weirdness is the least of my worries. Shecontinues. “Humphrey can loan you the money, or you can earn itback.”
“I…can’t ask him to do that. It’s my own stupidity. I’lljust…live with my brother Dan until I can earn the moneyback.”
It’slike she’s ignoring me. “Humphrey can help you earn back ten timeswhat you lost, Will.”
“I really don’t think so.”
A shrug.“It’s your choice, but, do you really think that a freshlydivorced, broke dude is ever going to get laid? I mean, even I havestandards.”
I letthat sink in for a moment. The beer buzz is wearing off, and myhead is starting to pound, like I’m going to puke. But I’msincerely starting to panic. What if she’s right? And worse, whatif Ellie won’t help me? What if she’s so pissed at me for doingwhat, in her opinion, is a cardinal sin, that she won’t help me?What I should have done was sobered up and cut my losses, but no, Ido something even stupider.
…Ellie would die.
***
Ellie
I pickup the phone as I walk out of the room, lifting a finger, to letMaverick and Gunner know that I’ll only be gone for a minute, thatI have to take this call. While I try to keep the frustration outof my voice, I fail all the same. “Will, this is a badtime.”
“Ellie…oh, man, am I glad to hear your voice.” He’s drunk. Isigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Will, what do you want. Ithought when I divorced you, that would negate me answering thephone to your drunk dialed calls.”
“Oh, Ellie. I’m so sorry.” He slurs. “I just…I had to hearyour voice.”
“Well, now that you’ve heard it, I need to go. I meant it whenI said that this is a bad time.”
