Page 7 of The Gamble (The Players 3)

Ty smirked. “For starters? Let Talia be your date for theweekend.”

4

Talia

“What did you think of him?”Ty asked after Drew left for his art therapyclass.

I glanced over at Jackie. Her hands were tucked under her chin as she leaned on her desk. Obviously, my reply was incredibly important to her, to them. “I have no illusions about what I’m getting myself into. He’ll be achallenge.”

They both exhaled at the same time. “It’s good to see you recognize this. And you say you’ve never done this before?” Jackiefrowned.

I shook my head as I felt my spirits sink. This was more important to me than they would ever know, or could ever possibly understand. “No. I haven’t. Not in any official capacity,anyway.”

“What does that mean?” Ty wondered. His hands gripped the arms of the chair and though he tried to appear calm, signs of tension wereobvious.

“My guess?” Jackie leaned back in her chair. “It means she had a parent or sibling who suffered from alcohol and or drugabuse.”

His head whipped around to verify and I simply nodded. His brows peaked. “Oh. And how did that turn out? How’s everythingnow?”

“Not well. After years of being a functional alcoholic during the week and a binge drinker on the weekends, my sister lost her life in a car accident when I was sixteen and she was only twenty-three.” I focused on remaining calm. I really needed this job. This was more money than I’d see in five or six years of drunks pawing me, all from one weekend. This was money I could use to hire lawyers to save me and my brother from being deported. Even more, this was an opportunity for me to work through my demons, to save someone when I couldn’t save my sister. “This happened ten years ago. Her death shocked everyone. I was still a kid and my parents were in denial. They were convinced she’d straighten her life out by the time she was thirty. Maybe she would’ve, but she didn’t live long enough for us to find out. Needless to say, her death has been the driving force behind my careerchoice.”

Ty frowned. “You’re a waitress, an occasionalbartender.”

I emitted an empty laugh. “Not thatone.”

“Blackjack dealer?” He rubbed his eyes infrustration.

“Actually, I have a bachelor’s degree in social work and counseling. And I’m working on my master’s.” I grinned. “Though inexperienced, would you believe I’m actually trained forthis?”

Jackie and Ty exchanged looks. He seemed doubtful and desperate. She seemed calm and confident. Finally, Jackie spoke. “Mr. George, we need to look at the big picture here.” She began to tick off my best qualities on her fingers. “She’s educated. She’s intelligent. And he likes her. Probably, most of all…he likesher.”

Ty shook his head. “I can’t believe it has come tothis.”

“Hiring a sobriety coach? Or his addictions?” I murmured as I studiedhim.

“Maybe both.” His shoulders sank. “But I’m stretched a little thin with this whole devoted husband thing.” He winked at Jackie. “I really love that role. I had no idea what I was missing. Then I metKate.”

“Love will do that.” Jackie smiledwarmly.

“I’m far from perfect. I’ve been a lousy friend to Harry. Drew wasn’t lying. I pawned him off all the time. So much guilt.” Ty blew out a breath and leaned forward on his thighs with his hands clasped together before looking at me. “You think you can help? You think you can keep him off drugs and away from alcohol the wholetime?”

“That’s the plan. That’s what you’re paying me for.” I nodded seriously. “I’ll do everything in my power to keep him happy and distracted. I’ll try to make him forget what he’s missing.” I shrugged, hoping I’d said all the rightthings.

“You do realize you’re going to have to be glued to him, right? It’s the only way to make this work. Drew is as stubborn as he is determined. Even worse, he has the means to make this a challenge.” Jackiesighed.

“Yes, Harry found that out when a drug dealer showed up at his house.” Ty rubbed his temples. “We really can’t leave him to his own devices. And with it being Harry’s wedding, and me being the best man, we’ll be a little busy. It has taken a lot of years, but we’ve finally admitted we’re in over ourhead.”

I frowned. “That’s the hardest part for the addict and the enablers, admitting they needhelp.”

“Wait, we never helped him.” Tystiffened.

“It’s not that you bought him alcohol or drugs, it’s not even that you had to be supportive or accepting. By not stopping him, by making his life easy, you were enabling.” I watched as his mouth opened and I knew I’d hit a nerve and he’d want to object. “This isn’t a criticism, Ty. This is how it works. If we’re not stopping the alcoholics, the addicts, then we’re helping. Take my family, for example. Every Monday, my mother would wake my sister up and help her get ready for school or work. My father would make strong coffee and toast. They thought if they could just ensure she didn’t wreck her education or lose her job, she could work through this.” I inhaled deeply. “The thing is, she wasn’t trying to change. She was fine with life the way it was. And when I tried to argue with her, using information I’d learned in my health sciences classes, she’d tell me I was lame. She was just having fun, and I’d understand when I was older.” I swallowed hard. “None of this looked fun from where I stood. Now, because of her, I barely touch the stuff. In fact, I could go the rest of my life without taking another drink and I’d never missit.”

“God, I wish I didn’t understand your story so well.” Ty looked past me to stare out the window. His brow seemed perpetuallyfurrowed.

“You’ll have to sleep in the same room. You’ll have to go into the bathroom with him. You’ll have to be up his butt and never let him out of your sight. As you well know, these addicts are squirrely.” Jackie folded her hands on thedesk.

“Of course, I expected as much,” I lied. I hadn’t really thought much past the three hundred thousand dollars and the wedding. I never considered the implications of the position or what it wouldentail.

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