Page 211 of Haunted

As far as Butch was concerned, it was a pretty safe bet.

He gave a smug smile. “I’m not worried. Your luck won’t hold out forever.”

At least, he hoped it wouldn’t. Not that he didn’t love the idea of kissing Sol, far from it.

He just didn’t want the others seeing how much he enjoyed it, because then that cat would be out of the bag again, and this time it might not wanna go back in.

The hotel lobby was quiet by the time they filed through the door. The woman on reception smiled at them.

“Was it a good night?”

Zeeb cackled. “It was for me.” He headed over to the couch by the window, and delved into his pockets.

“What are you doing?” Teague asked.

Zeeb dropped a pile of bills onto the seat cushion. “I’d have thought that was obvious.” He glanced at Butch. “Figuring out if it was a bad night for you.” He grinned at the others. “Who’s gonna count it all?”

“Wait a minute,” Butch interjected. “How much did you start with?”

Zeeb frowned. “About a hundred dollars.”

“‘About’?” Sol chuckled.

“Give or take.” Zeeb emptied his pockets of more of his winnings, and Teague started counting. Butch tried to gauge how much money there was, but Teague turned his back to them all.

Zeeb waggled his eyebrows. “Gettin’ nervous, Butch?”

“You. Wish.” Zeeb had lost a lot at the poker table before they’d called it a night, and he was feeling quietly confident.

While Teague got on with his task, Zeeb gave the others a speculative glance. “So… which of you organized a little female comp’ny for me tonight?” When everyone stared at him, mouths open, Zeeb rolled his eyes. “You’re kidding, right? Not one of you fuckers found me someone to warm my bed? Fuck, I dropped enough hints.”

Walt cackled. “You were serious? We couldn’t tell.”

Matt pulled his phone from his pocket. “Want me to look on Grindr for ya?”

Zeeb huffed. “Don’t tempt me.” When laughter broke out, he snorted. “Hey, I’m forty. I could be a late bloomer. And I might be up for a little experimentation.”

Sol grinned. “I bet I could find you someone to experiment with.”

Zeeb guffawed. “Yeah no.”

Teague turned around to face them, laughing. “Well, what do you know about that?” He handed Zeeb a wad of bills. “Two hundred fifty-five dollars.”

Zeeb’s face glowed. “Wow. Seriously?”

Something fluttered in Butch’s belly.

“Count it if you don’t believe me.”

“Oh, I believe you.” Zeeb stuffed the money back into his pockets, strolled over to Butch and stood in front of him, hands on his hips. “Hey, mister. I think you owe me a forfeit. And seeing as I’m gonna be sleepin’ alone tonight, don’t disappoint me. I need cheering up.” Butch looked at Sol, and Zeeb laughed. “Just close your eyes. It’ll be over before you know it.” He glanced at the others. “Who’s gonna time it?”

“I will.” Teague got his phone out.

Sol walked to where Butch stood, and smiled at Zeeb. “Excuse me, but you need to give me a little room.”

Zeeb took a sidestep. “By all means.” He chuckled. “I get a better view from over here anyway.”

Sol locked gazes with Butch. “You okay with this?”

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