Page 17 of Still The One

‘Foster! Are you in there?’ Eve hollers, grabbing my hand.

I immediately clutch hers back.I’m here.

‘Hand squeeze,’ Eve says.

‘Good!’ Chelsea praises.

‘You know what it probably was?’ Eve asks. ‘You said he was bad at motorcycles. That’s forbidden in Foster’s world. He’s the best in the sport, and he knows it. He’d be so mad if I were to say something like “Foster, you suck at riding. I’d bet that was probably your last event. You almost killed yourself! Looks like Jeff will finally be the top dog”.’

Jeff?! This girl. I want to laugh and cry all at once. I grunt again, suddenly very aware of the tube down my throat. I jerkEve’s hand toward it. I’ll pull this damn thing out myself if I have to.

‘Oh! He’s trying to reach the tube,’ Eve says, yanking my hand back and holding it steadily against her chest.

I have to dosomethingso they know I’m here.

Come on, Fost. Eyes. Open. Open your eyes, dude! Defend. Your. Honor. Your. Title.

‘Can you relax, Foster?’ Chelsea asks calmly.

I feel Eve lean into me, her face brushing against mine as she speaks softly. ‘Dream of winning hands at poker until we can figure this part out, Fost. Maybe I’ll see you soon?’ she says, her voice almost hopeful, which tempts my mind to wander off without her again. It doesn’t take much, that’s for sure.

Five Years Ago

‘You ever played?’ Matty asks as he walks into my place.

Us boys get together for a monthly poker night. Even when we’re on the road, we do this. It’s a nice break from the one thing that connects us all – motocross. Not to mention, no one leaves injured or bleeding. Pissed sometimes, yes. But we get over it.

‘Didn’t Foster tell you? I’m a pro,’ Eve says. ‘I don’t tell a lot of people because how else would I dupe stupid boys who think women are inferior at everything?’ She is sitting to my right, a beer in front of her and my usual poker night buddies are around the table. We all stare her way, our faces blank with her words. My God, I think I just fell in love with her more as she shit-talked my buddies.

Matty glares my way.

‘She’s kidding,’ I assure him.

‘He’s right,’ she says. ‘I’ve never played, but Foster did explain it to me on our way here.’

Laughter erupts around the table. ‘Well, he sucks, so don’t get hopeful that you’re going home with the jackpot, sweetheart.’ Jeff looks proud of himself for slamming me in front of my girlfriend. I’m notthatbad. Just a little unlucky.

‘I hope y’all went to the ATM,’ Charlie, a motocross God, teases. ‘My upcoming honeymoon won’t pay for itself, and Fiona wants to go to Fiji.’

‘Fiji, that’ll be cheap,’ I joke. ‘It’s surprising someone would marry you at all.’

Charlie flips me off. ‘You’re the only old maid at this table.’

‘Hey, I brought a date, and I’m younger than you, Grandpa.’

He rolls his eyes, sipping his beer, turning his attention to Jeff and Matty who are explaining the rules to Eve as he deals. She’s cute the way she hides her cards, holding them close to her chest to ensure no one else gets a peek. One by one, we each toss our bets and draw cards face down onto the table and she follows suit, raising the bet by ten bucks.

‘Upping the bar already, eh? Pretty ballsy for a newbie,’ Matty says, dealing draw cards.

Charlie folds.

‘You in or you out, girl?’ Jeff asks.

‘Um…’ She glances at her cards, then her chips, and throws a fifty into the pot.

‘What?’ Jeff groans. ‘Seriously? Your first game ever, and you want to go home broke?’ He matches her bet. ‘I’m not a complainer; might as well hand over your wallet now.’

Eve glances at me. ‘You in or out, princess?’

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