Feel Me (Hart of Stone Family 6)

“Might be so, but that doesn’t mean Joey here needs to salivate over her like she’s his next piece of steak.” Joey’s reputation proceeds him, and not in a positive light. He has no problem hooking up with a woman, not giving her the slightest clue that it’s only for one night and one night only until he’s done with her. Goes as far as to give her money for a car, then leaves them to do what he wants. Do I like the guy enough to work with him? Yes. Do I like how he treats women? Fuck no.

“I’m going with Tate on this one. Keep your hands to yourself.” Deke puts his cards down. I’m just about to win this round when he looks at me and says, “You think Em is going to be the settling-down type, I’d like to see you try. Besides, you’re probably worse than she is at not wanting a relationship. I’m going to sit back and enjoy the show. Shit goes sideways, my wife and her sister aren’t comfortable with you being here, that’s a tough loss. Now, let’s get this round finished, boys.” I pick my cards up, not needing anything. In fact, I push in my chips.

“That’s how it’s going, huh?” Joey states, tossing his cards on the table. Davis folds as well, leaving me with Deke. He’s got something up his sleeve with the way his eyes are laser focused.

“Ready, Tate? Winner gets the pot, and the loser picks up food and beer next time as well as holding poker night at their place.” Deke directs his attention towards me.

“Not a problem with me. Place doesn’t get used enough as it is. You ready to fold yet?” He shakes his head. I lay my cards on the table, not saying a damn thing. Deke can read the cards like any other man worth his salt who plays poker knows, a Royal Flush wins.

“Son of a bitch.” Deke lays his cards down. Joey and Davis laugh. It’s rare that Deke gets beat at his own game, but when he’s only got three of a kind, he knows he’s been beat.

“Pleasure doing business with you. Seeing as how I won damn near three thousand off you piss poor players, I’ll be hand-delivering the cash to the charity of my choice.” The pot is a buy-in. We add money to it throughout the game. This was the final round. Whoever wins gets a choice of what they do with their cash. Seeing as how I don’t need it, my winnings will go to the local boys and girls club, an establishment that helps kids after school while their parents are working. It’s been around for ages, and with any luck, it’ll stay that way with the hefty donations I’m able to give through not only poker but from other sponsored events.

“At least Joey didn’t get it. He’d probably use it on a hooker,” Davis says jokingly. He lost his glasses after folding, not that they did a fuck ton of good anyhow.

“Sure, you keep telling yourself that. I’m heading home, especially since it’s clear Emily is spoken for. Tate has a hell of a right hook that my chin doesn’t need, though I do hear chicks dig scars, so maybe that’ll work.” I growl my response. Not fucking likely.

“Get the fuck out of here before I have to tell Kels the reason why her house is trashed and she needs to replace furniture is because you’re poking the bear.” I push my chair out, needing to grab another beer, but the way Joey scurries works in my favor, too.

“I’m leaving. Fuck, this is why I’ll never be attached to one pussy.” I’m pretty sure Deke will lose his shit if Joey doesn’t shut the fuck up. Either that or I will. I may not have a ring wrapped around my finger, but I know not to talk to or about any woman like that.

“I’m out of here, too, guys. Gotta let the dog out, and I have an early morning. I’ll make sure Joey gets to his truck without running his mouth some more,” Davis offers.

“Later, Davis, appreciate that,” I tell him.

“Thanks, see you next time?” Deke asks.

“I’ll be here, not that I can win or anything. Let me know when the next event is. I’ll have my secretary make sure the check is sent to them.” Davis is talking about the next fundraiser for the after-school program. As much as the government is supposedly helping, it doesn’t cover a tenth of the expenses to keep the doors open.

“You got it.” I look towards Deke. “Another beer?”

“Yep, not a bad idea. You and Em, huh? When did this happen?” Fuck, I guess there’s no keeping this quiet now.

“Your wedding. I’m pretty sure neither of us were looking for anything more. We didn’t even exchange numbers. So, it’s been this long since I’ve seen her. Wasn’t sure if she’d be up to seeing me again. I’m guessing tonight wasn’t a coincidence. I know she’s your sister-in-law and you’ll be looking out for her. Figure you’re aware of my stance on labels and relationship. Add in my busy-as-fuck work schedule, not sure anything will even come of it. That being said, I’m asking you to stand to the side, let me talk to Em, let us decide.” I give it to Deke honestly, not pussyfooting around. The realer you are with him, the less likely he is to go off half-cocked.