Page 17 of Letting it Ride

I give the player a nod of acknowledgement and look to the next, who folds. This first night of the cruise, I’m mainly just dealing cards, with a little bit of how-to advice thrown in there. Tomorrow, I’m supposed to give more strategy advice and teach peoplenot only how to play but also how to play well, something I used to think I knew how to do.

If they saw my recent track record, they might not want their lessons from me. Since Ellie fucked me over, I’ve been on the worst losing streak of my life. I’m lucky that my history with this game gave me enough of a buffer to ride out the losses.

But tomorrow night, for better or worse, Addie and I will work together, with her dealing the cards while I sit at the table with the other players, explaining strategy and playing open hands. For tonight’s shift, we’re both dealing, each at our own table.

I’m doing my best to concentrate on the game, but it’s tough. Not the dealing cards part; that I could do in my sleep.

What’s tough is keeping my eyes off Addie.

I started out the evening checking on her from time to time—just looking over to make sure she was comfortable, that she knew what she was doing. All innocent stuff, of course.

I never knew Maddox’s little sister knew how to play poker, let alone deal, so I figured she might need some tips.

Turns out she doesn’t need my help at all.

She’s a natural, that red hair swirling around her as she deftly hands out cards with a broad smile. Peopleare flocking to her table, and I’ll admit I’d do the same if I had the option.

She has this way about her that’s almost electric. I’ve never seen Addie outside family settings before, or maybe I’ve never noticed this side of her. She’s an entirely different person. With her family, she takes on the role of the youngest sibling—happy, putting others at ease but never taking control.

But here she’s confident, outgoing, with a laugh that puts a smile on the face of everyone around her. It’s almost the opposite of the Addie I thought I knew, but she actually seems more… herself, somehow. It’s like her confidence is hers alone, rather than her just being what her family expects.

She’s stunning.

Addie turns her head just slightly and our eyes meet, and everything around us fades into the background.

It’s like we’re in an old movie, where everything is black and white, but we’re the only ones in color. Addie’s smile stays in place as she tilts her head. She’s too far away for me to see the flecks of gold that I know dance in her eyes when she’s happy, but I know they’re there.

“So, what happens after we place our bets?” awoman at my table asks, pulling my attention back to my players.

Jesus, get a grip, Cam.Addie may seem different when she’s away from her family, but she’s still Maddox’s little sister. We’re not in a fucking movie. If we are, it’s Dead Man Walking.

I give the woman a dazzling smile, hoping she’ll forgive me for ignoring her.

“Now, I deal out three cards. These are called the flop.” I turn them over one at a time as the four people seated around the table watch earnestly. “Then we bet again, and I turn over a fourth card, then a fifth with betting each round. You have your two cards in your hand, too. For this game, you can choose any five cards to make your best hand.”

The player next to me frowns. “Do we have to use the ones in our hands?”

“Not for this game. We’re playing Texas Hold ‘em. But other poker games, the rules can differ. For tonight I’ll just teach you the rules you need for this game.”

Nods all around.

I coach the players through placing their bets for this round, and only one folds. It’s easy to stay in when you’re playing for fun rather than betting your own money.

Out of my peripheral vision, I’m still watchingAddie’s table. An older gentleman—good-looking, sure, but gray-haired—gives her a wink when she turns over the fifth community card.

I grimace. Back off, sir. She’s way too young for you.

She’s too young for me, too,I have to remind myself. Even if I were interested. Which I’m not. Because it’s Addie.

Keeping an eye on her this week is going to be tough. I owe Maddox that much, and even though hedidkind of leave me high and dry by sending Addie in his place, he’s still my best friend. Making sure his baby sister stays safe and out of trouble is the least I can do.

But it’s only been half a day, and the more I look at her, the more trouble I have reminding myself why she’s not an option.

I turn over another community card. I’m kind of doing this on autopilot at this point and looking forward to when I can actually teach strategy, because the strategy these players are using is mostly to just toss in their bets and then to leave them there without folding or backing off, even when it looks like the hand is a loser.

But again, it’s their money. And tonight, it’s not even their money. They got a stack of free chips at thedoor to use however they want. They run out, they can get more.

“How are you hanging in there?” Harper materializes behind me. She’s shed the white-collared shirt that identified her as a crew member earlier in the day and is now wearing a low-cut little black dress that wraps around her athletic body, emphasizing a tiny waist and narrow hips.

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