Beck triumphantly flipped his cards. “Three of a kind.”
The chief didn’t speak for a moment, glancing from one man to the other. It seemed as if he had truly been defeated. But, when he flipped his cards, Beck gasped.
“Full house,” the chief announced. “I suppose you’ll be taking that admin overtime after all.”
“No!” Beck complained, stretching the word out. “You must’ve cheated. Swapped out a card while we were gone.”
“Accusing the chief of fraud?” one of the older men said. “Your generation is brave.”
“You’re welcome to attempt another round,” the chief taunted. “If you’re willing to wager a few more hours.”
“Then I nominate a champion,” Beck answered, turning to me. “Rhea, would you do me the honor of beating the chief at poker?”
I laughed. “I haven’t played in years.”
“Okay, then maybe we do a practice round,” Calder said. “Everyone buys in, we see who stays standing by the river. You in, Rhea?”
“You bet,” I said, leaning forward in my seat as Ash approached to hand me my soda. “You never know. I could be a secret poker genius.”
Ash seemed a bit grumpy that he didn’t get a spot right next to me, but he did accept his defeat and took the open seat next to Calder. Everyone in the room sat closer as Calder picked up all of the cards and started shuffling.
“Shuffle properly this time,” Beck said. “No sneaking the chief the good cards. You should get promoted based on merit.”
“You’re just sour because you don’t know how to read a poker face,” Calder answered with a sly grin.
“Oooh,” some of the team sung, and a quick round of laughter followed.
I liked seeing the guys in their safe space like this. I could feel the sense of brotherhood in the air, the camaraderie that carried them through their most difficult calls. I was a little bit jealous of that bond. It was something that I didn’t think I’d ever experience myself.
“Right, let’s get down to business,” Calder eventually announced as he started passing out cards. Everyone peered at their cards with a level of stealth you’d swear was a matter of national security. Beck attempted a quick glance at my cards, but a stern look made him turn away.
I didn’t have much; a pair of threes. I was pretty sure that I was supposed to fold almost right away, but I decided that I’d see it through.
“What’s she betting?” One of the guys asked. “She can’t exactly put in more hours.”
“They can,” the chief said, looking at Beck, Ash, and Calder in turn. “She can bet hours for them. They can share when they lose.”
“I’m in,” Calder and Ash said at the same time. Beck seemed a bit more hesitant, which made me wonder how many hours he’d already lost that evening.
“No pressure,” he smiled at me nervously. “You do know how poker works, right?”
“Kind of,” I answered teasingly, and his eyes widened.
“We’re doomed.”
To my surprise, I actually won the first round, and the chief had to take an hour of overtime each from Ash, Beck and Calder. Unfortunately, that set the expectations a little high, and I lost everything I’d earned over the next few rounds.
No one seemed especially upset about it. The atmosphere was still light and fun, and all of the men continued to joke and poke fun at each other. I wondered how often they got together like this, given how intense their job could be. I figured that, usually, most of them would be either on duty, asleep, or at home. I was pretty impressed that they’d managed to carve out time for teambuilding like this.
“Right, that’s enough,” Beck finally said after he lost yet another round and clapped his knees. “I’m going to be drowning in admin for the rest of my life if I keep going like this.”
“Aww, you’re giving up?” Someone teased. “Maybe the next one you clean up shop!”
“That’s how gambling addictions start,” Calder pointed out, and it was hard to figure out whether he was being serious or not. “Rhea, how about a round of foosball?”
“Sounds fun,” I said, hopping to my feet. “Ash and I versus you and Beck.”
Calder and Beck both seemed like they were about to pout, but they got up along with Ash and led me over to the foosball tables anyway. This was a game I was actually good at, but I didn’t mention it. I wanted it to be a surprise when I absolutely annihilated them.
