Page 22 of The Gamble (The Players 3)

I bit my cheek for a moment as I stared down into her beautiful, innocent face. “How can you still stick it out?” I expected her to make a joke of it. I wanted the situation to lighten up, but instead, Talia managed to surprise meagain.

“Because I care about you too.” Her lids fluttered shut and suddenly this moment became even moremeaningful.

Leaning down, I pressed my lips to hers and embraced the rush of warmth and emotion that ensued. I would never tire of this feeling, the euphoria of connecting with someone in the realest sense. Our tongues met, but this time, they danced in celebration of our time together, my sobriety, and the budding feelings I looked forward to exploring. She pulled awayfirst.

“Did I do something wrong?” I askedquietly.

She shook her head and gazed up at me. “No, Drew. You did everythingright.”

12

Drew

“Oh, look!”Talia pointed down the hall. “To the right, there’s a restroom.” We took a few more steps, and she noted, “The gift shop is right across from it. Wanna meet me inthere?”

I pulled her against me and stared into the store window. “Oh look!” I teased. “There’s a display of some really nice purses andtotes.”

She rolled her eyes. “What would I need with atote?”

I released her so I could tick off all the reasons on my hand. “Well, there’s carrying all your Kleenex. Let’s not forget the assortment of meds I’ll soon be on in order to maintain a normallife.”

“You’re ridiculous. It’s one prescription,” shegrumbled.

“Really, because I could’ve sworn they wanted me to take pills before bed, and pills after lunch…” My brow arched inchallenge.

“I’m going shopping now,” she announced. “See you soon.” She stood on her tippy-toes to kiss my cheek andfroze.

“What?” Iasked.

Talia pursed her lips. “Nothing. I’m sure it was nothing. I’m just being silly.” She opened her clutch and passed me the single pill in a teeny tiny baggy. She laid it in the palm of my hand and wrapped my fingers around it. Then she gave me a squeeze which seemed far more intense than the last and left me wondering over what had spooked her. Then she turned on her heels and disappeared into thestore.

I looked down at the pill in my hand. This would mark the first time I had taken a pill for medical and not recreational purposes, maybe ever. I glanced up at the store window and grinned as she passed by the cards and went straight to the purses. I laughed. “Caught you,” Imurmured.

Then some movement behind me in the reflection attracted my attention. I whipped around, my heart in my throat as I scanned the area. When I didn’t see the guy I expected anywhere around, I exhaled. “Power of suggestion,” I reminded myself as I tucked the pill in my pocket. “Talk about the drug dealer, think you see the drug dealer. Classic.” Then I turned back one more time to see Talia before I left. She was eyeing this Kate Spade tote, blue and white striped. I knew what I’d be picking up the minute her back was turned. When she moved deeper into the shop, I ducked in, grabbed the tote from the display, and spoke to the woman behind theregister.

“Can I help you, sir?” She smiledbrightly.

“Yes, my girlfriend is shopping in here.” I gestured towards the back of the shop. “I noticed she was eyeing this. Can you wrap it up, bill the room, and have it delivered there? I’m trying to surpriseher.”

“Absolutely. What a thoughtful gift.” She rang the purchase up, and I signed for it, then I snuck out and rushed into thebathroom.

I felt light and easy, which surprised me more than anything. I pulled the baggy from my pocket. Maybe I didn’t need this after all. Then I remembered how I felt around everyone else and admitted I definitely did. Opening the baggy, I poured the pill into my palm. Then I turned on the faucet, popped the pill in my mouth, and scooped the water into my hand to drink it down. I’d nearly finished when I saw him in the mirror and started choking on the last gulp ofwater.

“Yeah. Swallow down someone else’s pills, then swallow your words,” Mike growled. His dark hair was slicked back and he wore more chains around his neck than I remembered. The diamond stud in his ear looked newtoo.

I tried to remain calm, but how could I? The pill probably hadn’t even hit my stomach yet and Talia was so far away. I glanced toward the door then back at my old drug dealer. “What are you doinghere?”

“You owe me.” His voice was low andmenacing.

My brow furrowed. “What do youmean?”

“You had me come out here. I expect to be compensated.” He crossed his arms in front of his body and closed the distance betweenus.

“That was three months ago!” I exclaimed. “If you’re still here, you’ve been compensated enough.” I rolled my eyes. “Obviously, you stayed because you’ve opened up shop. There are tons of people here who need you, but Idon’t.”

Mike laughed, loud and slow. “You need me. You think whatever you took is going to help you as much as a few of these?” He pulled a baggy of Vicodin out of hispants.

My reaction to the pills dangled in front of me was completely different than my response to the smell of alcohol on the drunk. Seeing them actually did make me want them a little. I could feel my palms growing sweaty. They worked fast. They helped numb me. I was calm and relaxed, but not intoxicated. Over the years, though I’d had to increase my intake, I’d found the sweet spot, or so I thought. I’d never overdosed. I’d never been caught. I’d always told myself I could handle it. I closed my eyes. At the moment, I sucked at handling anything. I never should’ve come into the bathroomalone.

---