Cooper throws another peanut at Ronan.
“Fuck off,” Ronan says.
Leon deals.
The game is suddenly…interesting. Nobody’s sure how I’m going to play.
It’s my turn. I should take a card, but I pause, just to mess with them.
Everybody’s laughing.
I make the logical choice, but I won’t always do that.
And right there, it hits me: ridiculous as that last hand was, embracing an obnoxious new goal led to one of the best poker experiences of my life. My guys and I had an interesting conversation where I got to know them on a deeper level. They helped me process this situation with Stella, they gave me some damn fine advice, and I saw a way to improve my strategy.
Luther was right—you need to break things to level up. To disrupt things.
I was trapped in the math of the game. I was trapped in a two-dimensional world. I was trapped in a whiteboard.
I’m trapped in the whiteboard.
I stand up.
“What now?” Cooper complains.
“I’m folding. I have to go. I just realized something about my data model.”
“Don’t you want to see who won?”
“I already know.” From what I’ve seen, there’s a 90 percent chance Ronan will win, but I don’t say that. Again, not an asshole.
I head out. Everything’s different. Everything’s new.
ChapterFifty-Five
Stella
There are somany places in Manhattan that I’ve never seen, and Kelsey’s been introducing me to her faves.
We just had the most decadent build-your-own donut-ice-cream sandwiches at Holey Icewitch. I nearly keeled over from the yumminess of mine: cookie dough ice cream sandwiched in a warm french-glazed donut, all topped with hot caramel and toffee bits.
Now we’re strolling down Fifth Avenue.
“I love this area,” Kelsey says. “I love looking at the glam shit.”
I’m gaping at the strangely dressed mannequins when she clutches my arm. “Is that Lola? In a giant fur coat?”
I scan the crowd and spot her. “Wow, she’s really dressed up. Who’s the Neanderthal? It’s not her evil ex, right?”
“No way. I memorized that guy’s face. It’s not Roger.”
“Wait.” I squint. “I think that’s Pico, one of Wulfric’s bodyguards.”
Kelsey waves and shouts across the place. Lola doesn’t seem to notice, so we just beeline over.
Lola gets this weird look when she sees us coming, like she’s been caught at something.
“Nice coat!” Kelsey says. “This is like…” She touches it with a look of wonder. “You’re wearing sixty thousand bucks right here.”