Page 123 of Brazen Mistakes

Nodding along, the knot in my stomach tightens. Trips and Jansen should be back up by now. Zorro mask slinks up to the bar. My skin feels like it’s stretched too tight, and I drummy fingers against my thigh, not even trying to hide it while Walker goes to take his drink order.

Donna eyes me and grins. “I wouldn’t mind playing against you, darling.”

I huff out a laugh. “I don’t play.” Lifting my right hand, I shrug before dropping it back to my lap. “And this is only one reason.”

“Whatisyour role here?” Zorro asks, cutting into our conversation.

“A little help here and there. Nothing special.”

Donna eyes Zorro, interest sparking in her eyes. “And what about you? Who was lucky enough to have you on their arm tonight?”

Zorro keeps his eyes on me. “Just a friend.”

Walker steps between the two of us, handing a drink to Zorro. Something makes me study this stranger. He’s weirdly persistent. Do I know him?

He has a few gray hairs mixed with the dark ones on his head, and his mouth has deeper creases around it than anyone my age. Walker steps aside, taking up sentry behind me, holding me close, and I’m left looking at Zorro’s multihued hazel eyes.

Not so plain after all. I’d remember kaleidoscope eyes like that, I’m sure of it.

Movement at the door has me sighing in relief, Trips and Jansen pounding up the stairs. They both look my way, and Trips tilts his chin. I point to myself, and he nods.

Sliding from the stool, I note that Zorro’s slinked back into the crowd, Donna’s smile falling from her face. “Another?” sheasks, and Walker kisses me on the cheek before going to help her.

Inching to Trips, it’s hard to ignore the hardness of his eyes. Something is wrong. Really wrong.

He pulls me to a corner, Jansen giving a signal that has the dealer nodding.

But the next hand’s already been dealt, and I watch with growing unease as RJ’s dad takes his much larger pile of chips and pushes the whole thing to the center of the table.

“Clara, I’ll need you to get RJ’s dad out of here.”

“Trips, what’s going on? Is RJ okay?”

He stares at Maurice, and I want to whip off the beautiful mask Walker made for him so I can see more of his face. So I can tell exactly how bad things are.

“He’s fine. But he won’t be back tonight. And Jay’s going to be out a car for a bit. It could have been worse, but he’s safe.”

“You’re not making me feel any better, Trips.”

He glances down at me. “If you want hugs and comfort, go see Walker or Jansen. Even RJ. Not me.”

“Don’t pretend you’re some ice statue, Trips. We both know you’re not.”

His hand on my elbow feels hot, his thumb making a few circles on the fabric. “Do you think you can do it? I don’t want to cause a ruckus by hauling him out by the back of his neck. Makes people stingy and cautious,” he says.

I force my brain to remember what we were talking about. “Maybe. I’m not sure I’m the best bait for one of my boyfriends’ very-much-married father's, but I’ll do what I can. Where am Ibringing him?”

“The living room. I’ll be down there. Jay and Walker can hold down the fort for the rest of the night. And don’t worry about verifying lending. That’s the least of our problems right now.”

A collective groan sounds from the table, and I turn. RJ’s dad’s head hangs, and even without having seen the hand, I know he lost it all. The dealer calls for a break, and I cover Trips’ hand with mine, needing just a moment of connection, my insides a tangled mess of half information and worry. “That’s my cue,” I say.

Trips pulls his hand from under mine. I twist away, blinking back the hurt. But before I take two steps, his large palm presses against mine, squeezing my hand so tight for a moment that I can pretend he needs the comfort as much as I do. When I look back, he’s already left the attic.

Weaving through the crowd to RJ’s dad, I catch up to him in front of the bar.

What should I say? What are my strengths?

Lying. That’s the one thing I have perfected. Thanks, Mom. That and customer service.

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