Page 19 of Billion Dollar Mistake

I don’t wait for him to even leave my office before I spin around to my computer and read the details of the email. I decide to make a call to my friend from Chicago, Doctor Damien Gray, to get his thoughts on it. I’m going to have to get my assistant to schedule a visit.

I spend longer on the phone catching up with Damien and his family than I usually do with normal clients.

After I hang up, I get Kirstie to organize the trip.

I check my watch and I have half an hour before I need to leave my office to get to my friend Richard's house.

But, of course, work holds me up and I end up running forty-five minutes late for poker.

When I arrive, it’s only a small group of five of us tonight. My younger brothers, Harvey and Oliver. Our friend Lukas, Richard, and me. We sit in the den of Richard's house. It’s dimly lit, with a soft glow of overhead lights casting a warm hue on the green felt of the poker table. The air is thick with a mixture of tension and excitement. The only sounds are from servers or the occasional chips shuffling.

We drink, smoke and eat. I don’t smoke, but I will drink alcohol. I experimented as a teenager, but studying medicine showed me the harmful effects smoking can have on a person, so I quit immediately.

The cards are drawn, and I scoop them up and lean back in my chair. My game face is on.

Over my cards, I eye each of the guys. Poker night always starts out serious but after we settle into a few games we spend most of the time talking shit and drinking.

On occasion, all my brothers join, but tonight, two out of the three came. I enjoy spending time with my brothers. I’m close with Evan and Harvey. Oliver is a hard one to spend time with, but when we do, it’s always light-hearted. He’s the joker out of all of us. He’ll have you laughing even on your shittiest day.

We haven’t all been together playing poker in a couple of months. Someone’s schedule is always not lining up with the rest, but at Grams’, we all make it. None of us would ever miss a dinner with her.

I choose not to miss poker nights because it’s the only activity I engage in outside of work. That’s why I always look forward to Thursdays; it’s a welcomed break from the monotony.

It’s my turn, so I’m looking at my cards and deciding my options when my phone vibrates in my pocket. Tossing a card down, I pull out my phone and see her name across the screen. My lip twitches, but I tuck my phone away, planning to respond after the game, and return my focus to the game. It’s Harvey’s turn, and he’s currently staring at his cards, contemplating his move. Knowing she’s messaged eats away at me. I’m desperate to know what’s in her text, so I give myself another minute before I can’t wait any longer.

After my turn, I pull my phone out and read it.

Nova: What does Remy do on a Thursday night?

Jeremy: Plays poker with his friends and brothers.

Nova: I thought you didn’t play games.

I let out a short chuckle. I’m about to type back when Lukas interrupts me.

“Who’s making you laugh?” His brow is up to his hairline.

I drop my phone into my lap and refocus on the game.

“No one,” I reply.

Because who is Nova? A friend? Colleague?

Other than beautiful, funny and charismatic, I don’t have an answer. Honesty would only cause more questions. And she’s none of anyone’s business but mine.

After another turn, the boys start discussing the Chicago Eels’ latest football game, so I take the opportunity to reply to her text.

Jeremy: I only play certain games.

Nova: Like?

Jeremy: The fun ones.

Nova: And truth or dare isn’t?

Jeremy: No.

Nova: Why?

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