I looked down at the three cards in front of me that were still lying facedown on the table. Scooting them to the edge of the table, I slid them up without looking at them for a moment.
My eyes started to focus on them when I felt my leg being nudged under the table. “Really?”
He grinned at me. “It was worth a shot.”
“I’m going to shoot you,” I threatened, moving my leg away. I managed to stomp on his foot for good measure. He grunted but didn’t say anything. “You okay?” I asked sweetly, finally glancing down at my cards. I looked at them in disbelief. It was as if angels themselves had picked my cards. I’m pretty sure I could hear cherubs singing above our heads. I went from having nothing to pulling a straight flush. I really wanted to get up and get my groove on, but I remained still.
Before placing my bet, my eyes moved to Trent’s to gauge his reaction. His eyes flickered and he glanced away. He was totally bluffing me. I forced a look of uncertainty on my face before pushing all my chips in. I gnawed my lip for good measure.
“All in?” He looked worried for the first time.
I shrugged casually. “Last hand, right?”
“That’s pretty rich,” he commented.
I held my breath. If all went well, maybe he would think I was bluffing. After a long, drawn-out moment, he finally scooted his chips to the center of the table. I wanted to crow with delight, but controlled myself as the others leaned in close. “How about we up the stakes?” I offered coyly.
“What do you have in mind?” He looked at me with curiosity, pushing up his glasses.
“Just a little friendly wager,” I said, feeling some of my wild persona returning.
He waited for me to continue. I could hear Adam’s murmur of approval.
“Are you game?”
“That depends.”
“On what?”
“I get to pick my side of the bet.”
I felt the first stirrings of wariness. “Deal,” I answered cautiously. “What do you want?”
“Let me hear yours first,” he said.
“If I win, you have to show up at the next Bears game without one of your geek shirts on, or any other clothes for that matter.”
Derek whistled his approval.
“Let me get this straight. You want me to go to a football game completely naked?”
“I want you to streak across the field,” I said mischievously, wondering if he would fold. Bluffing with cash was one thing. Having your junk hanging out for the world to see was a different story.
“I’m not into football, but that’s a game I might have to go to,” Tim interjected, earning a playful swat from Adam.
“Completely naked?” Trent repeated like he was trying to find a loophole.
“As a newborn baby,” I laughed with delight. I missed this part of me.
“It’s not like you’ll see me with your activities probation.” His words took a little wind from my sails.
“I think it would be worth the risk.”
Derek looked practically gleeful. He’d played enough cards with me to know I had this one in the bag.
Trent wavered for a moment, and I was sure he would fold. “Deal,” he said. “But if I win, you have to go out with me.”
“You have to do better than that,” Adam interrupted. “You’re risking being naked against a date? Come on, raise.”