Page 159 of In Spades

We didn’t bother with the front door. No one ever did. Instead, we walked around to the back of the house where double doors led straight to the man cave.

Well, it started as a man cave. Luca and the boys rarely used it. It was perfect for poker night, though.

The clouded panes of glass glowed with warm light from inside. I shivered in anticipation of the blast of heat as Will pushed on the handle. He gestured for me to go first and entered behind me.

Nine heads turned. Jaws dropped as we stepped inside.

I was actually grateful to see Steve and Chase. I wanted to know what was going to happen to Rich. The twists, turns, and revelations over the last day still had me in shock. I didn't fully understand everything that transpired earlier in Rich's office. All I knew is that I wanted that bastard to pay for what he had tried to pin on me.

I lifted my chin and ran my eyes over everyone.

Melissa, Hannah Jane and Bridget sat on the tufted circular couch. Luca, Isaac, and Chase were clumped up around the bar. Maddie, Steve, and Erica were seated at the poker table.

“I have some things to say,” I said, clearing my throat. “I hate that y’all felt like you had to hide who Will was to protect me. Like you thought I couldn’t handle that information or wasn’t able to make my own decisions. I hate that he lied to me, but I hate that I couldn’t come to any of you about it even more.”

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I blinked them back. “You guys have been everything to me for the last five years. Every single one of you. And we’ve been through a lot of shit together.”

I looked at Maddie. “You didn’t know it, but when you went off to L.A. to compete in Pastry Throwdown, we got together the day you actually competed and hung out at Jokers until it was over and talked about how awesome you are. It didn’t matter that it wouldn’t air for weeks. Friends who cheer you on behind your back are the real deal. We did it for you, and I know you do it for us.”

Turning to Steve and Erica, I said, “You were there for me when my life imploded. You told me that I could take care of four kids even though I was the least qualified person there that night. You checked on me the next day, then Heather came the day after that. And then you invited me over to Maddie’s houseboat for poker night.”

My lip quivered. Will slid his arm around my waist and gave me a reassuring squeeze. I choked down the lump in my throat. “Steve, you and Heather were better to me than my own parents. You took care of me so I could take care of Logan, Kylie, Hunter, and Zoey.”

I focused on Erica. “I didn’t think anyone could fill Heather’s shoes, but you came in and were exactly what Steve needed. What we all needed.”

One by one, I went down the line and told every single one of them what they meant to me. How much they had saved me. How much I couldn’t imagine doing life without them.

Will stood beside me with his arm wrapped around me. His thumb gently stroked my skin. Up and down, up and down…

“I love y’all,” I choked out. “After everything that happened with my family, I didn’t think I would fit anywhere. I didn’t think y’all looked at me as one of you—that I was just a pity plus one. For the last five years, you’ve been my family and I can’t imagine my life without all of you in it.” I let go of Will’s hand to wipe my damp eyes. “I just hope there’s still room at the table for me.”

Luca approached me with a cocktail glass in his hand. It looked like the same apple butter bourbon concoction that had previously blown my mind. “If there’s anything we do right, it’s a potluck. There’s plenty of room for everyone, and it would be pretty boring if we all brought the same thing to the table.” He handed the glass to Will and wrapped his big, tattooed arms around me. “You have a place here. Always will.”

It was one of those poker nights where we never actually got around to playing poker. I didn’t mind, though. Those were the best ones, in my opinion.

For some reason, my monologue spurred a flurry of apologies between everyone else. I didn't understand why, so Will quietly filled me in on what had gone down at the bar.

Everyone seemed to have mended fences except for Bridget and Chase.

She sat on the far end of the room, talking quietly with Melissa. Chase sat at the poker table with Luna snuggled up against his feet. The looks they shared were anything but friendly. I was confused because, according to everyone else, they’d been inseparable since they were teenagers. I didn’t know what the hell was happening there.

I stood and stretched out the stiffness in my muscles, then turned to Will. “It’s about time for me to head home. I told the kids I wouldn’t be out late.”

Will shared a suspicious look with Hannah Jane.

“Yeah, you should get going,” she said before looking at Chase, who nodded.

What in the poker club conspiracy was happening?

“Don’t do that thing where you don’t tell me what’s going on,” I said, looking between them. “We just had a whole thing about that.”

“Let’s go home, Sunshine,” Will said with a knowing smile.

I dug my heels in. “Hannah Jane?—”

“You make it impossible to surprise you,” she said. “You know that, right?”

“I hate surprises.”

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