Page 3 of Bad Love

When I was twelve, diving extra deep at summercamp.

When I was in college doing kegstands.

Every betsince.

I point at the ceiling, bloodlust thrumming in my veins. "I win, the penthouse here at the Charlotte is mine.” He looks skeptical, so I press where it hurts. “I'm sure your cousin'll be more than happy to reprise our eveningtogether."

"I'll reprise your face with my fist, Hunter!" I wait for Nellie to cop out, but after a second’s recovery, his face lights up. "You want a piece of my family business? I'll take yours. Your stake in Hunter’sCross."

No way. My stomach shifts—from the booze or thewager.

Sure, I was the one to raise the stakes by asking for a piece of real estate most people couldn’t dream ofaffording.

But some things you don’tbet.

“Come on, Hunter, not like you do anything with it anyway.” Nellie’s leering at me, his challenge burrowing into my brain like a nail I need to extract before it drives meinsane.

There's nothing easier than being the guy peopleexpect.

If you're steady, besteady.

If you're proud, beproud.

If you'rereckless…

You better bring your A game, friend, because I'll take you on. Anytime,anywhere.

If Nellie's the devil on my shoulder, Monty's theangel.

And tonight he'sMIA.

I lean forward. "You’re on. House rules.” Nellie nods inagreement.

“You guys are fucking crazy,” Tannerexhales.

I chug another beer to the sound of raucouslaughter.

Janie's gaze from the poster seems incredulous rather than sexual. It makes me realize I've done something very, verystupid.

Because we've been playing long enough for me to know the first rule ofgambling.

Never bet something you can't afford tolose.

2

“This event isvery important.”Nadine’s honey-sweet professional voice on the conference line hardens myintestines.

I pace the meeting room, holding my phone to myear.

“Everyone on this committee has to step up. We need to execute it toperfection.”

Closer, the marketing company I work for, occupies the second floor of a renovated factory building. It has beautiful hardwood floors and sleek white walls accented by pops of pink. But today it’s hard toappreciate.

“I don’t need to tell you the reputational risk of failure is one thing, but the mental and emotional scars would endure foryears.”

My stomach grumbles because I haven’t had time to grab lunch, and the reception gets spotty when I run downstairs to the closest deli. So instead, I thumb the sleeve of my thin wool sweater as Ilisten.

“I also wanted to share that the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra is involved,” Nadine saysproudly.

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