Page 76 of In Spades

“What about Monday?” Logan asked between bites of mashed potatoes. “You going to poker night?”

I froze with my fork halfway between my plate and mouth. Now or never. “Um, I wanted to talk to y’all about Monday.”

“Do we finally get to come to poker night?” Kylie asked, all too giddy at the thought of going to Maddie and Luca’s house.

I stuffed a bite in my mouth and pointed my fork at her. “No.” I swallowed before adding, “Adults only. Besides, you have to get voted in.”

Kylie rolled her eyes, and I shot her a victorious smirk.

“So, what about Monday?” Logan asked.

I took a sip of water and steadied my nerves. I was in uncharted territory. “I was thinking about having a friend stop by after poker night on Monday.”

Four sets of eyes raised from their plates and pinned me to my chair.

“If that’s okay with y’all,” I added quickly, careful to keep my tone indifferent.

Logan’s fork hit the plate with a clatter. He and Kylie eyed me warily. They were so close in age that I often looked at them as twins.

Hunter was the first person to say something. “Who?”

“My friend, Will.” I was proud of how steady my voice was. I wasn’t ready to drop the girlfriend news on them yet.

Was I even his girlfriend? Was Will too old to have a girlfriend? Surely there had to be an age limit on that label.

Kylie raised her eyebrows. “Friend?”

I cut my eyes at Kylie, then to Zoey, then back to Kylie. She took the hint and went back to quietly eating.

“Is that who you were with when we went to Chase’s house?” Hunter asked.

“Yes,” I said calmly. “I, um, didn’t plan on it, but Maddie and Hannah and the rest of the girls surprised me with a night away.”

That was the best way to word it to kids, right?

I couldn’t help but wish Will was here with me, holding my hand as I fumbled through these explanations.

Whoa, where did that come from?

“Is he, like, part of the poker club or something?” Hunter asked, mouth full. “I thought we knew everyone.”

I shot him a look that told him to take smaller bites and stop eating like an animal. I speared a small bite of chicken and popped it into my mouth. “I met him at work. We’ve spent some time together, and he wants to meet y’all.”

Logan’s nostrils flared. I learned early on that was his tell. He was the quiet, stoic type, but that little flex of his nose told me he was angry.

“Is he staying the night?” Logan asked.

“No,” I clipped. “He lives in New Bern and was going to stop by for a few minutes on his way home from poker night.” I took a sip of water to quell the flare of nerves. “But only if it’s okay with you guys.”

“Can we stay up late?” Zoey asked.

“A little. Just until Will stops by, and then it’s off to bed.”

“Fine by me,” Hunter said as he got up to put his plate in the sink.

“Will he bring presents?” Zoey asked.

I laughed and began clearing the table. “Probably not, Zo.”

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