Instead, I stand here and watch her. I don’t make a move. I can’t.
Not without dragging us both into something we aren’t ready to explain.
Kylie and Eva pull barstools over to a high-top table and take a seat like they’re already fast friends.
“All right, fellas. I was told there would be a friendly game of poker tonight,” Dean announces. “Why don’t we all take a seat and get the party started?”
Colton walks over to the corner of the room, where I stash all the cards and chips, while the rest of the guys take a seat at my circular kitchen table.
“Dude, don’t be a fool and try to win all your money back. All that’s gonna happen is, you’ll lose another ten,” Colton barks at Dean when he returns, placing the cards in front of him.
We work to divvy out the chips and agree on a minimum and maximum bet for each hand.
Dean shuffles the deck. I take the last empty seat next to Lincoln.
“Looks like Kylie found a friend,” I whisper as I peek over my shoulder and see them in deep conversation.
Lincoln chuckles. “I’m glad there’s at least one other normal chick here for her to chat with. I can’t count on your dates giving her anything interesting to talk about.”
Dean deals out the cards, asking Sawyer if he wants to cut the deck. We’ve bought in with our chips. The other girls start to crowd around us to watch. It’s slightly irritating. I’m not up for the distraction, but the guys don’t seem to mind.
I pick up my hand and start to consider my options when that damn chick plops her ass down on my lap. I look up in disbelief that she thinks this is something I’m even remotely interested in.
Does she completely lack enough social skills to read my signals?
Just as I’m about to tell her to give me some space, I catch Colton staring at us. He offers me a wink, signaling to me that I’m a lucky motherfucker.
I start to second-guess myself.
If I push her away, will they know something is up? Will the puzzle pieces start to fall into place? Will Walker hate me?
I’ve never been so paranoid in my life. It’s stressing me out. A sign that I’m doing something right now that my conscience is not proud of.
I look over at Eva and watch her silky hair move down her back as she laughs at something Kylie said. There’s no way I can regret my time with her. I already know I’m falling for her.
For the first time in my life, I’m considering if I’m a good enough man to make a relationship last.
Am I better than my father?
“Roman”—Lincoln nudges my side— “are we going to have to talk about why you can’t keep your eyes off of Walker’s sister?”
Sawyer, sitting next to Lincoln, laughs under his breath. “I have some ideas.”
I throw two cards down, and Dean gives me two more, no idea what Sawyer and Lincoln are whispering to me.
I can feel Eva’s eyes on me. I don’t have to turn my head.
Everything in me wants to shove this girl off me. Instead of embarrassing her in front of everyone, I throw my cards down.
“I fold,” I declare. “Excuse me. I need to use the bathroom,” I whisper to her, which seems like a better alternative than pushing her off my lap.
Eva’s eyes hold mine the entire time I walk to the bathroom. Some kind of commotion happens behind me as I hear the crowd gasping and yelling.
As soon as I get into the bathroom, I pull out my phone. I need to text Eva. I feel like I owe her an apology for both of us being caught in this situation.
As I’m typing, a knock sounds on the door.
“Roman,” Eva’s soft voice carries through from the other side.