“What’s so funny?” Baylor asks.
“I’m not keeping that. I played with Henry’s money. That’s all his.”
Henry shakes his head. “I took the money out that I’d put in for you to start with. The rest you won fair and square.”
I look at Henry. “I beat those pricks for you.”
“I know you did.” He nods. “But I also think you did it for yourself.”
I shake my head stubbornly. “Well, consider it a Christmas gift.”
“Since when do we exchange gifts, Pen?” Henry asks with a smirk on his face.
“Whatever. Then, it’s for inviting me out here. I don’t want it.”
“Take it, Aspen,” Baylor insists. “Use it to pay off school, and for fuck’s sake, get yourself out of that dorm of yours.”
“I’ll take it,” Jesse offers.
Both Baylor and Henry shoot him a look of annoyance.
“This isn’t a handout, Pen. There are no strings that come with it, okay? It’s yours.” Henry tries to reassure me. “Taking it doesn’t make you like your dad.”
I swallow hard, hating that I’m finding less reasons not to take it. “Fine. Maybe.”
They erupt in cheers.
“One of us! One of us!” Jesse calls out as he pours us all glasses of champagne.
I take a sip after we all toast and wander over to the pool table with Baylor.
His fingers skim down my arm as he holds out a pool cue. “Wanna play a game?”
I set my glass down, grinning.
Baylor stares at me intently. “What are you up to?”
“Anyone up for a game of eight-ball doubles? I think it’s only fair I let you boys try and win some of your money back.”
“Absolutely.” Jesse nods.
“Fuck yeah,” Luke says.
Luke and Jesse hop off their stools, giving each other high fives.
“Looks like you’re stuck with me as your partner.” I look up at Baylor.
“Sounds good to me, baby.” He leans down, giving me a wicked grin, and then plants a soft kiss on my lips.
“I’ve never played before. Do you think you guys can teach me the rules?” I pull away and eye the three of them while chalking up my cue.
Luke and Jesse trade glances with each other and then look back at Henry, who’s watching from the bar with pure amusement. They turn back around just in time to see me break and let out a string of curse words.
11
A Present for Penny
Alarge black gift bag is sitting on my bed when I return with my fresh laundry. I hate bringing home dirty clothes after a trip, so when I get the opportunity, I wash them right before I leave. I hate that it’s already time to go. The days following Christmas have been a delicious, toe-curling blur. It’s hard to believe that, two weeks ago, I was packing my bags for this trip, blindly unaware of what it was going to turn out to be for me. I came here, hating Baylor Frost, and I’m leaving with the certainty that we are a perfect match.
