“And you’re so prickly,” I shot back.
Everyone turned to Autumn as she got up on the stage, projecting a graphic of the rankings of poker hands for Texas Hold‘em. She went over the rules and the value of each chip, of which we’d been given three hundred imaginary dollars.
Felicia’s eyes went around the table. “Who’s the first dealer?”
“How about the newest counselor deals?” Lamar offered as Felicia handed Chase the deck.
“Technically, Nat is the newest,” Jack pointed out.
“Am not,” I argued. “I was here last year.”
He narrowed his eyes at me. “Actually, you are. You showed up for this session halfway through the kickoff, the last arrival among all of us. Therefore, you deal first.”
I didn’t feel like arguing further, so I took the deck. We made it through our first two rounds, with most of us folding, because the cards showing were garbage.
Chase leaned into me after I took my turn. “Hazel mentioned that you love Fritos and chocolate. I haven’t tried it yet, but I love sweet pickles on pepperoni pizza, so which of us do you think is stranger?”
I laughed at his conspiratorial whisper and admitted, “I’d be willing to try yours.”
Chase beamed, while Jack’s face scrunched up as if he’d just eaten a lemon.
“Don’t knock it ‘til you try it,” I defended. “Sweet and salty always go well together.”
He let out an exasperated sigh and folded his cards when the bet was called.
That’s right, Jack. I’ve got you beat.
I collected the next two pots, explaining the rules to Emerson as we went, because this was her first time. I’d offered her a few tips since I’d played more than enough poker in my college years, and not because of my dormmates or friends. No, it was my Grandma Carol.
Some grandmothers played bunco or pinochle. Mine, however, was a hustler who’d take you for everything you had, and she’d taught me to play. I smiled at the memory.
Feeling cocky, I upped my game and my trash talk. “Put your money where your mouth is.”
Knowing my pile of chips was bigger than my enemies’ had me excited, but the fact that mine was bigger than Jack’s? Well, that was just the cherry on the cake.
Soon, Jack and Lamar were in a one-on-one showdown.
“Get him, Lamar,” I cheered, guessing Jack was up against the ropes.
“What did you have?” Jack asked a gloating Lamar as the final card was laid.
Lamar looked into his eyes with all seriousness. “You beat.”
He showed my rival the straight he’d managed to pull on the flop, and I beamed. Sawyer cackled at the playful trash talk, which got snickers from the rest of us. Even grumpy Jack seemed to be having fun.
In the next round, both Sawyer and Emerson lost after going all in. I promised Emerson we could play again soon, to her delight.
“Kenny Rogers was supposed to be on my side,” Sawyer complained, and I felt that in my bones. That seventies silver fox wasn’t on either of our sides. My pile of chips had dwindled slightly. I guessed I also needed a refresher on when to fold them, when to walk away, and when to run. My dignity was at stake, and I needed to get it together.
Sawyer left the table, vowing to destroy us next time. We all took a quick break after refilling drinks and stretching.
Chase, Lamar, and I all went head-to-head when we came back for the next round, and I managed to squeak out a victory by sheer bluffing as they folded. I shoved my two-seven off-suit hand into the pile of discards, making sure no one saw.
Jack’s eyes searched my face before he smirked, as if he could see right through me. But he was about to see just how wrong he was.
Felicia went out next, and things were getting serious. By the time Chase went out, Jack was looking all too smug.
Chase stood up next to me and leaned down while Jack dealt out our cards. “Maybe I’ll see you around for those chocolate-dipped Fritos later.”
