Tyler balls his hand into a fist on the table, his eyes narrowed.“I hate that dipshit.”
Excellent.Perfect time to hash this out.Thank you, Tyler.I will kill you when we get home, along with Gen.
“You’re not getting back together with him, Cali,” Tyler declares.
I let out a long-suffering sigh and look to the ceiling.“Genevieve, whatever happened to best friend confidentiality?”
Gen covers her mouth, grimacing.“I’m so sorry, Cali,” she mumbles through her fingers.She drops her hands helplessly.“I thought he knew.”
Jaeger looks off into the distance, his mouth tense.I never told him I had a boyfriend.Why didn’t I tell him?A million logical reasons kept me from mentioning it before, but nothing comes to mind now.I feel like I’ve betrayed him, and that’s the last thing I want to do.I know firsthand how it feels.
Jesus.I’m no better than Eric.If Jaeger and I are friends, which we are, my relationship status should have come up.Now it’s too late.
Jaeger stands and busses the last dishes from the table.He offers more wine to everyone, his gaze barely touching me.
Tyler, Gen, and I leave shortly after the last drop of wine disappears, and I want to throw myself into the lake.Getting dumped by Eric was humiliating, sad, and enlightening in a painful, growing-up sort of way.Our relationship was shallow.I realize that now.
But tonight—the betrayal on Jaeger’s face?I’m devastated.
What have I done?
ChapterEleven
The casino is packed tonight.So packed, I’m having a hard time keeping track ofemployee relations.And dammit, I need the distraction of Casino Real World to keep my mind off my personal drama.
The waitress and her cashier lover have called it quits, considering the glacial looks she’s casting him, but the two cocktail waitresses, who sneak light touches and sweet looks when they think no one’s paying attention, are going strong.
Which reminds me, we all need to be careful of the black surveillance half-moons covering nearly every inch of the casino ceiling.The cameras are so invasive, I’m afraid to sneeze in this place.
The casino’s primary focus is money, and making certain it doesn’t flow out faster than it flows in, but I imagine the execs are watching the employees too.I wouldn’t want them knowing who I’m dating.
It’s almost the end of my shift and the casino has slowed to a smooth wave of customers.A group of college-aged guys slips past my table—and one of them is familiar.
He stops in the middle of the aisle and his friends follow his gaze to the lounge where Gen works.They slap him on the back and walk off, while the guy saunters up the steps to Gen’s lounge.
No.No, no, no.Not the A-hole.I glance around frantically, searching for someone, anyone to help.I just took a break and can’t leave my table for another hour, unless I feign illness, which I’m strongly considering.
Gen and Mason haven’t been as friendly since the party, but I don’t sense animosity from him.At least, I hope his pride isn’t too bruised he wouldn’t help Gen out.But he’s slammed with customers and flipping liquor bottles like a circus performer.My gaze catches on one of his customers, because the guy literally stands out from the rest.I can’t see his face, but I’d know him from any angle.That’s how aware I am of Jaeger.
Jaeger glances up as if he senses me and nods, the gesture stiff.Before he turns away, I wave him over.His brow quirks sardonically, an uncharacteristically brassy response, but he grabs his drink and saunters toward my table.
I shuffle three new decks and one of my customers leaves.Sometimes they do that, as if the new cards will break their streak.
Jaeger’s standing to my left.Even if I couldn’t see him from the corner of my eye, I’d know he was there.The air shifts when he’s around.
“I need a favor,” I say.I glance at the lounge.Gen’s ex has her cornered and she doesn’t look happy.“Will you go up to Gen and pretend you’re her boyfriend?Be obvious about it so she knows you’re there to help.”
“You want me to be Gen’s boyfriend.”Jaeger’s tone is low, laced with warning.
I glance up, startled.What?No!“I can’t explain it right now,” I say.“That guy she’s with is a creep.I’d rescue her if I could, but as you can see”—I sweep my hand in front of my customers—“I’m a little busy.”
Jaeger stares at me, his masculine fingers dwarfing the cup in his hand, the tips white as if he’s a second away from breaking the glass.“What do you suggest?”
I deal out a new hand.“I don’t know… just… ah—” It’s not easy to multitask with my best friend’s traumatic encounter unfolding.
“Grab her ass,” my balding customer in dark sunglasses says.He sniggers.“He’ll get the message.”His skin is shiny with sweat, the ice-cold air conditioning no match for his girth.
I glare at him and glance back at Jaeger.“I don’t thinkthat’snecessary.Just treat her like you would a girl you’re dating.”
