Page 62 of Southpaw Slots

If there was such a thing as a silent bomb, Asa justdropped it. No one’s eyes blink. EvenI’mshocked. My breath catches in my chest, waiting for someone to say something.

“Yourwhat?” the blue-haired guy, Jinx, says.

“Wyatt’s my boyfriend. You’ll treat him with respect.”

Dave’s hand crawls to the back of his head as he scratches his hair. “What are you doing? Like…seriously, Ace. Is this a fuckingjoke?”

Asa’s teeth show as his chest puffs up. “I don’t like your tone. How about you watch it before I watch it for you.”

Pleading, Cass says, “Boss…my man. This guy blew up?—”

“It’s been taken care of. We ran into his garage. It’s all water under the bridge now.”

“Not to me,” Hoss says.

Kline clears his throat dramatically. “How about you all move outside, and Mr. Donovan and I will discuss business.”

Pointing a finger at Wyatt’s chest, Dave says, “Hecan leave first.”

There’s a momentary standoff, but Cass motions to everyone with a wave of his hand. “Come on. We’ll let theboyfriendstalk.” As he steps out of the door, he stops for a moment and leans into Asa. “I’m disappointed in you, fraternizing with the enemy.”

Asa’s jaw clenches until they all leave. While Kline eyes Wyatt and me, we take a seat on the empty couchas he and Asa go over some business. I half listen because I want to make sure I know what’s going on, but my mind is racing with a question…

Did Wyatt blow up the casino?

On my wedding day?

The moment we get back in the limo, I let my fake smile drop and cross my arms. Both boys are giddy as they discuss some big poker tournament happening this weekend and the funds it will bring in. I can’t wait for a lull in the conversation, so I dart my eyes to Wyatt and blurt out, “Did you blow up the casino?”

His throat tightens as he swallows, but his stare is steady as he admits, “Yes. But I regret it now…”

Flipping my head toward my husband, I ask, “Did you know about this?”

He puts on his guilty puppy face. “Yeah…”

“Oh my god. Youruinedmy big day. Firstyouwith blowing it up, thenyouwith the cake. No wonder you asked if I wanted a do-over. Youknewyou ruined it. What else are you two keeping from me?” The two are hiding things from me together. They’reboyfriendsnow. This was not what I expected at all. I didn’t realize they would get so intimate to hold secrets over me.

Wyatt’s hands reach out, but I change seats to the side couch in the back of the limo as we approach the gates of the mansion. “Ari, I asked Ace not to tell you.”

My voice snaps back. “He should have. You both should have. I don’t think I can trust either one of you.”What happened the night they were on their own? Am I going to be the one left out now?

When the car stops, I dart out and dash upstairs, making my way to the other wing and tossing open the doors to the main bedroom, then lock them behind me. They can have each other.

The two of them are getting very close.Tooclose. Something doesn’t sit right in my belly.

But maybe it’s just a baby…

SEVENTEEN

ASA

Neither one of us sleeps well. Even though Wyatt insisted on bringing out some pillows and blankets, we huddle together outside the bedroom door. The one my wife locked us out of.

Sometime in the morning, she throws it open and spots us lying there. Her expression of ire turns immediately to sympathy. She collapses onto my chest, squeezing me, and her sweet voice melts my ear as she says, “I’m sorry. I overreacted.”

Wyatt reaches across me and brushes back her hair. “No, I should have told you. I was just so angry you were marrying him.”

She laces her fingers through his and smiles. “I understand. It’s just a wedding.Thisis more important.” I tug him across my pecs until they both rest their ears on my ribs as my arms surround them. I think I could fall in love with him. And that’s weird to say, butit’s true. My heart belongs to my wife, but I’ve enjoyed sharing her and now I feel like I’m taking a piece of him with me, too. The three of us lie on the floor like kids at a sleepover in peace and stillness until Arianna’s voice breaks it.

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