Page 57 of Snap

Rubie paled slightly.

"Bet?" I asked. "What bet?"

CHAPTER 18

RUBIE

Shit.

"What bet?" Ollie asked. He looked from me to my father and back again.

Dad was talking quietly to Skye and sipping on the drink one of his assistants had bought him. He seemed oblivious to the nuclear bomb he just dropped in the middle of my fragile relationship.

"Rubie?" Ollie's brow crinkled.

"Maybe we should go somewhere quiet," I suggested. I gave my dad a look full of thunder which he either ignored or didn't see. Did he have a clue what he'd just done? I said I'd be honest with Ollie, but this was something else. This was something between Dad and I. Truthfully, I'd forgotten all about it. Until now.

Ollie hesitated for a moment, then he nodded. "Okay." He looked like he might say more, but he didn't. Instead, he stood and offered me his hand.

I took it and hoped this wouldn't be the last time.

We wove our way through the crowds and out the door. The night air was cold, but refreshing after the stuffy heat inside the bar.

We walked down to the end of the block and Ollie drew us to a stop.

"So, what is this about a bet?" he asked insistently. "From the look on your face, it must be a big deal."

I glanced away. Call me a coward, but I couldn't look at his face while I told him about this.

"Dad wants me to take over ownership of the Rapids," I said.

"Okay," he said slowly. "So you'd be my boss?" He smiled but it didn't smooth the furrow in his brow.

I poked at a crack in the pavement with the toe of my shoe. "I guess so. I mean yes but…"

"But?" he prompted. "But you made a bet?"

I looked over at him. The words came out in a rush. "I bet that if you won the Down Under Bowl, I'd take over the team and he could move to Queensland with what's-her-name."

For some reason he looked slightly annoyed at that. "Skye?"

I waved a hand. "Yes, her."

"And if we lost?" His eyes were intent on me.

I swallowed. "Then he would sell the team."

He looked away and shook his head, clearly confused. Then it dawned on him. He looked back at me sharply.

"You bet we would lose?" He sounded so hurt my heart ached.

I wanted to reach out to him. I sensed now wasn't the time. "I?—"

Shit

How did I explain this? "This was before?—"

"Before we made up? When you were pissed off at me?" His whole body looked tense. I saw in his face that he was hoping I'd agree.

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