Page 44 of Electric Touch

“I never have time to read, and there is nothing boring about it.”

“Yeah, of course there isn’t.”

She grins as she looks out of the windshield and I keep watching her.

“Why do you ask?”

“I was invited to a poker game at a friend’s house,” I explain. Not telling her the friend is Jordan Adair from BreakNeck. I know I can trust her, and I’ll make sure he knows it too.

“I love poker.”

“You play?”

“Don’t look so surprised. Poker is a fun and challenging game.”

I laugh. “So you’re a good player?” She makes a little humming sound. “Don’t tell me you’re a card shark,” I side eye her.

“I’m a mathematician.”

“You count cards?”

“No,” she turns to face me, looking indignant. “That would be cheating.”

“Yeah,” I don’t believe her. She totally uses her skills to her advantage. “So what do you say? You wanna skip the reading and come play a few hands?”

“If you’re sure your friend won’t mind.”

“Nah, he’s a social type, loves meeting new people. It’ll be fun.”

“Okay,” she smiles. “Let’s do it.”

“You are so gonna wipe the floor with everyone.”

This time, she doesn’t refute or argue my assertion.

Chapter Fourteen

Alessa eyeballs Adrestia, standing on the threshold like a pint-sized doorman barring entry. Out of courtesy, I text Jordan to let him know I was bringing someone. As I thought, he asked if I could trust them. When I said I could, he agreed. Seems Alessa has other ideas.

“You were at gig,” she tells Adrestia.

“I was,” she nods, not in the least perturbed by my angry little bandmate. Alessa waits, but Adrestia just stares back at her.

“Are you groupie?”

“Not the last time I checked. But I’m more than happy to go home if you’re going to insult me.”

Alessa looks her over once more. She nods and makes a clicking sound with her tongue. She holds the door open and Adrestia steps inside. As I pass Alessa, I glare at her.

“What?” she snaps.

“Quit being rude. She’s a friend and I trust her. Jordan knows she’s coming.”

“He’s too trusting,” she closes the door. “Someone has to be the bad guy.”

“And we can count on you,” I say with annoyance. She scowls, then follows on Adrestia’s heels.

Adrestia looks over her shoulder at me as Alessa asks her questions. I raise my brows, silently asking if she wants me to step in. She shakes her head and continues talking with Alessa. We turn into the living room to a chorus of voices. They have set the poker table up, and there are beers and snacks on another table beside it, with a few people hanging around chatting.

---