Page 75 of Off Season

She chews the chocolate with a huge smile. “Told ya so.”

“Let’s do that again.”

I shuffle the cards, and we go through the same process with the same exact result. I run my fingers through my hair. “What in the actual fuck? You’reRain Man.”

“I’m fucking smart. That’s what I am. It’s not that hard to do. I can teach you. In the most simplistic form, you can assign values to certain cards like plus one, minus one, and zero. Then you keep track as you see them. The way I do it is a little more complicated than that because of my photographic memory, but almost anyone can learn what I just explained.”

She tries to teach me for an hour. I improve a little, but I am nowhere near accurate, and certainly nowhere near as good as her.

I shake my head in disbelief. “Let’s go to Vegas.”

She twists her lips. “I’ve been banned from Vegas. Long story.”

“What about Atlantic City? It’s only, like, an hour away.”

She nods “I would do that sometime. Just know that as soon as I start winning, they’ll kick me out. Every casino does.”

I fall back onto the pillows. “I need to figure out how to harness your powers to my benefit.”

She lets out a laugh. “I’m sure we’ll come up with something.” She looks down. “I..umm…spoke with Bails. Before we found out about my mom. If you still want me after the whole stalking thing, I’ll go home with you for Christmas.”

I sit back up in a bit of shock. “Really?”

She nods. “Tanner invited her to come to Colorado with them for the same week. Harper is bringing a friend, and he allegedlyneedsthe extra help.” She air quotes needs. “The timing works out perfectly.”

Not only did I already tell my mother that Kamryn was coming with me, but I told her that we recently got engaged. I don’t think I’ll tell Kamryn that tidbit until I’ve already got her in Texas, but my mother is now freaking out about meeting her and welcoming her to the family properly.

Frankly, I assumed Kam wouldn’t come and I’d just tell my family that my fiancée was with her own family.

This should make for a fun Christmas.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHEETAH

It’s been a weird few weeks. Quincy has disappeared. No one knows where he is. He simply sent us all a text that he was going off the grid for the foreseeable future. Arizona is about to come home, so Layton has been acting like a madman anticipating her arrival. He’s still in his cast, but it comes off soon and he can’t wait.

He mentioned a few weeks ago that he bought her an engagement ring. I wonder if he’ll propose the second he sees her. He’s whipped beyond comprehension, but I’m thrilled for my friend. Arizona is awesome, and he deserves this after a bit of a tragic upbringing.

Kam had her finals for this semester of law school, so she’s been tied up in that. I wonder what Bailey thinks Kam does all night. She knows Kam doesn’t sleep. Though I suppose Kam is the queen of deflection.

Kam and I get together a few times a week. She continues to refer to us as casual and loves to encourage me to meet other women, but I’m not. I don’t want anyone buther. I have no idea if she’s seeing anyone else. I’m not sure when she’d have time for it, but who knows?

Unbelievably, I bought an engagement ring. I assumed I’d freak out at the notion of buying it, but the thought of her wearing my ring was shockingly satisfying. I know it will be short-lived, if it happens at all, but I’m still a little hopeful. Kam is probably going to kick me in the balls when I place it on her finger.

It’s early morning on Christmas Eve. I’m about to go to Kam’s to pick her up so we can head to the airport together. My text tone rings.

Gemma: Put a ring on it yet?

Gemma is the only person who knows my plan. For some reason, I always feel like I can confide in her.

Me: Ha. No. I need to wait until we’re past the point of no return. If I do it before we leave, she won’t get on that plane.

Gemma: Take careful notes. I might have to write a book about this. Fake fiancée for the holidays? That’s ripe for an epic romance book.

Me: Don’t think this one will have a happy ending.

Gemma: You never know.

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