Page 111 of Play to Win

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LACEY

“Whoa.What the hell?”

“What?”

I just opened the envelope that has my Vegas apartment as the return address and now hold in my hands a check for a thousand dollars.

I show it to Taylor.“From Chris.”

“Holy shit.”

“I know.”I shake my head.“Where did he get this money?Oh jeez.”My stomach cramps.“He must be still gambling.”

She makes a face, looking anxious.

“Ugh.Where’s my phone?I have to call him.Even though he probably won’t answer.”I tap his number in my contacts and it rings.To my surprise, he answers.“Hey, Lace.”

“Chris.”I hesitate.I’m so surprised he answered, and so happy to hear his voice my heart squeezes.“How are you?”

“Not bad.How are you?”

“Okay.I, uh, got your check today in the mail.”

“Oh.Good.”I hesitate.“Chris ...where did you get the money?”

“Don’t worry, I didn’t steal it.Or win it.I earned it.”He pauses.“I got a job.”

“Uuuh ...wow.That’s great.”

“Yeah.It’s kind of a crap job, but the pay is pretty good.I’m working for a filter manufacturer, doing assembly work.”

I don’t even know what to say.“That’s awesome, Chris.”

“So I sent you that.I know it doesn’t repay you for everything you did, but ...it’s a start.”

“You don’t have to repay me.”I suck in a quick breath and let it out.I said that automatically, but maybe I shouldn’t be so forgiving.It’s hard though, especially when he’s making an effort.

“I probablycan’tpay you back everything,” he says.“But part of the program is trying to make amends.”

“Program?”I meet Taylor’s eyes which are curious but soft.I sit down at the dining table.

“I’m going to a gambling addiction program.It’s like Alcoholics Anonymous.”

“Oh.Chris.”I close my eyes as tears sting them, my throat constricting.“I’m so glad.”

“I’m sorry for all the shit I caused.And I’m really sorry for using you to try to appease those fucking criminals.”

“Have you ...dealt with them?”

“Um, yeah.I now have a large loan at the bank, but I’m out of debt.I had to get a job first before they’d give me a loan, and it’ll take a while to repay it.Sometimes it feels like it’ll take forever.”He gives a harsh chuckle.“But I just need to focus on right now.”

“Yeah.”I want to offer to help, but I fight back the words.He needs to do this himself.

“You said you’d come back when I got my shit together.But ...you’re married now.Your dude seems like a straight-up guy.”

I cock my head.“What?How do you know?”

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