Page 100 of The Pretender

Sebastian takes a breath and pauses, waiting on Maverick to comment, but he only lifts a brow in warning which, clearly, doesn’t concern him. “I’m telling you, man. You haven’t lived until you’ve came to the worst fuck ever.”

My stomach churns, but it’s short-lived when Maverick taps out a cigarette and says, “Sebastian, if your friend doesn’t check or bet, I’m going to shove this beer bottle up your goddamn ass and see how you enjoy a sloppy rim job.”

Sebastian spews his beer all over the cards. “And here I thought you were in a bad mood today.” His chuckle is annoyingly cute and it takes a serious amount of effort not to grin at his ridiculousness.

“Dammit, Bash. You got the cards wet.” Rowan wipes off his cards and aims a growl in my direction. “Check or bet. Now!”

His deep baritone voice and heavy fist slamming on the table make me jump in my seat. I’m frozen amongst men that could lift me with one hand and toss my fake ass out in one breath.

“I swear to God,” Mav threatens. “I will—”

“Check. I check,” I rumble out quickly, doing my best to make my voice deeper and less frightened. I don’t know what check means, but that’s one of the only two options he offered me.

Maverick nods. “Row?”

Rowan looks at Sebastian and then at Maverick, narrowing his eyes. I don’t know what he sees in their expressions, but whatever it is, he doesn’t like it. “Fuck you both,” he says finally, slamming his cards down. “I fold.”

The rest of the conversation is a blur as Sebastian pokes at Maverick, raising the pot by pushing more chips in, but then Maverick mentions a straight on the river or something like that and we all show our cards. I had a bunch of numbers, which meant absolutely nothing to me, but apparently, it was a losing hand since Sebastian pushes back in his chair and mumbles, “Fuck.”

We lost.

I expected it, but I think Sebastian was hoping I was better at poker than I was. I wasn’t his wing man like he wanted. Honestly, though, I’m just impressed that they didn’t realize I was a girl the minute I walked in.

“Let me win my money back?” Sebastian teases.

Maverick gives him a look that reminds me of a killer about to attack. “No.”

Sebastian chuckles, not even giving a shit about pissing Maverick off. “I guess that’s my cue to go.”

Maverick walks out to his patio, and I stand from the metal chair and give a goodbye nod to Rowan who returns it, surprisingly. Sebastian says something that I don’t catch, but I follow him out, relieved to be leaving the worst game of friendly poker I’ve ever seen.

“You did pretty good in there,” Sebastian notes, as soon as we’re in the parking lot.

I scoff. “No, I didn’t but I had a good time. It’s been a long time since I’ve played poker.” Like never.

“You’ll get better the more you play and learn everyone’s tells.” He starts the engine to the car and I buckle my seat belt.

“Absolutely. I appreciate the invite.”

Sebastian grins and squeals out of the parking lot, heading to his house, where he says we’re going to invite a few people over. Honestly, I’m exhausted, but I can’t bow out now. He’s liable to film tomorrow's video or at least give me the plans on where to film it. Tomorrow is the day. The day that Sebastian Carrington finally loses. This prank war has been one-sided since it started, but not now. Now, I have the upper hand, and I plan on uploading this entire body cam footage and for once, giving Sebastian exactly what he deserves.

* * *

It'sfour in the morning and everyone has finally left. I’m tired and my boobs hurt like a bitch from this wrap. All I want to do is cozy up in my flannel and let the girls breathe.

“I think this is the last of the moonshine. Let’s finish it up.” Sebastian hands me the glass of moonshine that I honestly want to vomit at the sight of.

I smile. “Damn straight.” I try to make it sound like I’m excited to get even drunker than I already am. But the reality is that keeping up with a dude’s lifestyle is exhausting, and in Sebastian’s case, a constant state of tipsy.

He raises his glass and I follow, throwing it back and fighting the gag reflex. I can’t afford for him to catch onto me now. I’m almost done. This is for the win.

Sebastian sighs and puts his glass on the counter. “You want to watch the footage from yesterday?”

I really don’t, but something won’t let me leave him for the night. I shrug. “Sure. I got a little time before I need to meet up with my side piece.”

I cringe but mask it quickly when Sebastian just shakes his head. “Alright.” He moves to the sofa, plugs in the camera, turns it on, and hits play, but instead of yesterday’s footage, it’s a video of me. Well, me as a girl.

“Wait, wrong thing. Hang on.” He tries to skip it, but it’s just more and more footage of me out on the patio watching a movie on my iPad.

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