Page 65 of The Awful Truth

Under the table, the sound of phones buzzing could be heard. Antonia, Ted, and Charlotte all picked up their cell phones and read what was on their screens. Antonia looked back at their host. “Sorry. Just a silly work thing.”

But it wasn’t just a silly work thing because Charlotte had gone pale while Ted’s face was turning bright red. Travis laughed. “I don’t know, Antonia. Your husband looks like he might blow a fuse. As the man who owns y’all, is there something I need to know about?”

She chuckled, looking as calm and collected as always. “My goodness, no. It’s the most inconsequential thing in the world. Just a notification from the IT department. I can show it to you if you like.”

Travis shook his head. “Hell, no. Now, put those phones away, ‘cause I’m about to make history here.”

Winslow felt sweat trickle down his back, and it wasn’t just from the hot, still air. He didn’t like Miguel’s chances. Not against someone like Bishop, who traveled with his own dealer. He stared at Oliver, whose gaze was set on the table. Clearly things weren’t above board. Not that he expected them to be.

Travis sat back and sucked his teeth, staring at Miguel. “Now, I could add more chips to the pot, but that would be boring, wouldn’t it, Charlotte?”

She seemed to snap out of whatever trance she was in. Turning to Travis, she said, “I’m sorry?”

“You should be. You’re about to miss a hell of a show,” Travis told her. “How about this? If Miguel here wins, I let him move the production to London.” He smiled at Miguel. “You pick the property. Even that haunted pile of rubble you seem to be so fond of.”

Miguel gasped, his face lighting up for the first time since they got on this God-forsaken yacht. Well, after the truffles. Winslow folded his arms. “And if he loses?”

Travis shrugged. “Nothin’. Just the chips already in the pot. Well, and he has to admit I’m the best poker player in the world.”

“Absolutely! I’ll get you a plaque!” Miguel answered, giddy with excitement.

Travis sat back. “All right, I call. Whatcha got, Mr. Fancy Pants?”

Miguel flipped over his cards with the flare of a car show model. Three queens and two jacks.

Travis let out a low whistle. “Well, that’s a tough one to beat.” He shook his head. “I bet you’re pretty damned excited right about now, aren’t you?”

Miguel nodded, grabbing Winslow’s forearm and giving it a squeeze. Winslow bit his cheek to stop himself from falling apart at his husband’s touch. It was the very best thing he’d ever known, and he was about to give it up forever.

“And why wouldn’t you be? I mean you’re about to get the only thing you need to save your marriage and live out your dreams. And the chances that I’ve got you beat are slim to none.” He flipped over his cards. He had four kings and the last queen. “But sometimes miracles happen.” Smiling broadly, he said, “You best buy yourself a pair of those thick Sorel winter boots because you’re off to Ontario.”

11:04 P.M.

ANTONIA

After five horrifically long hours at the table, a now-blackout drunk Travis finally released them from the ‘fun.’ Winslow and Miguel had made a bee-line for their suite, both looking utterly devastated by the evening’s events. Antonia was battling rage and fear, knowing every minute her husband sat at that table absorbing the new reality was bringing her closer to losing control over the outcome. His mind would be a whir of activity. How to play this. What to say. How to convince Charlotte Antonia was the devil, and Ted, her savior. He had reread the email no fewer than three times, and had stared at her for an entire hand, clenching his jaw and running his tongue over his teeth. To be honest, it was getting a little scary to see him this way.

The email was from IT. It was automatically triggered anytime a major report was run and went to the core team, which included the executive producer, the showrunner, Ted, Antonia, and the executive assistants of each member of the core team (who would keep records of such things).

[email protected]

SUBJECT: Cellular Phone and Email Back-Up Completed (Ticket Number: 18-92375)

Please do not reply to this email. For any questions, please contact [email protected]

Hello,

This report was automatically generated due to a User-Initiated Request for back-up storage of the following devices and files:

E-mail and Teams Messages for:

[email protected], [email protected]

Cellular Text Messages, Photo Storage of the Following Mobile Numbers:

206-555-4342

206-555-4544