After dinner, Knox pulled out a deck of cards and placed it on the table. “Who wants to play poker?” Ethan and Chase accepted quickly. Realizing I hadn’t responded, Knox turned to me. “Haley, you in?”
I shook my head before Chase chimed in. “Come on, Haley. It will be fun.”
“I don’t know how to play,” I said in a quiet voice.
Ethan smirked. “Don’t worry, we’ll teach you.”
I watched, mesmerized, as Knox shuffled the deck of cards with the finesse of a card shark straight from the movies. “I take it you do this a lot?” I asked, curious how he was so skilled at shuffling.
Knox shrugged. “Poker happens to be one of my favorite hobbies. It helps me unwind.” I wasn’t really surprised by his admission. I’d already witnessed his poker face on more occasions than I could count, today alone.
While Knox shuffled the cards, Ethan explained the rules of Texas Hold ’em. Chase rummaged through the kitchen for something to bet with. He opened and closed the cabinets, shoving his hand in and searching quickly. At one point Chase called out to Ethan, his voice muffled behind the cabinet door. “Ethan, you better hope I find something to bet with or we’re going to have to use your secret stash of M&M’s.”
Ethan continued explaining the rules without admitting or denying the existence of an M&M’s stash. A few seconds later, Chase returned to the table with a bag of chocolate Easter egg candies; a previous house guest must have left them behind months ago. When he pried open the plastic bag, it popped loudly from the release of pent up pressure.
Figuring it would be easier to see the game in action, Knox dealt a few rounds for practice. There were a number of rules and rounds of betting, but it didn’t seem too difficult. Meanwhile, Chase dumped the candies onto the table, the small metallic eggs rolling over the wood surface like a bunch of marbles. The overhead light hit them, highlighting their bright, colorful wrappers.
Chase started counting the eggs into four even piles, but before he could pass them out, Ethan swiped a few and popped them in his mouth. Chase groaned. “Seriously?”
Shaking his head, Knox said, “Watch him closely. I wouldn’t put it past him to steal your chips so he can eat them.”
Ethan grinned. “Oh come on; I’m not that bad. Just be glad they aren’t Peanut Butter M&M’s. Quit stalling and deal.”
After placing the small and big blinds, Knox dealt the cards around the table. His movements were swift and professional. With two hole cards each, the flop was dealt, revealing three of the community cards.
There was another round of betting followed by Knox dealing the turn; then another round of betting followed by the river. Finally, the last round of betting was capped off with the showdown. Some rounds went more quickly than others, ending before the showdown could be dealt.
I was mostly silent, watching, determined to pick up the game quickly. The guys occasionally offered me pointers but generally let me figure it out on my own. They were competitive but encouraging. Slowly, I grew more comfortable with the mechanics of the game and began to relax. Although I was enjoying the game, I was most entertained watching the guys.
Gathered around the table, any thoughts of their jobs or the hierarchy within the group melted away. The room felt cozy and the atmosphere was one of friendly camaraderie. They seemed closer than I imagined was typical for co-workers; not that I knew what normal co-workers, or people, were really like. I wondered how much time they actually spent together.
All three seemed well-practiced in the art of poker, yet I was most in awe of Knox. Knox was clearly in his element, completely cool and relaxed. It was obvious that he was the superior player. He never gave anything away, his poker face masking all of his thoughts and reactions.
Chase took the game very seriously, a trait I’d also noticed during Monopoly. His deliberations were often so long that Ethan would start humming the Jeopardy! tune, or Knox would kick him under the table, urging him to get on with it.
Ethan, on the other hand, didn’t take any of it too seriously. I could tell that while he was probably just as competitive as the other guys, he was really just playing for the fun of it. Every so often, I saw him snitch another piece of candy and laughed to myself. It was a good thing he won his fair share of hands, or he would have been out of the game several hands ago.
“So, I have a serious question for you guys.” I kept my face completely blank while pausing dramatically. Their expressions turned serious, expecting another conversation about my dad or their backgrounds, I was sure. “Which one of you is responsible for the apple-scented body wash in the shower?” I smiled at the end of the question, unable to hide my amusement any longer.
Chase snickered and Knox guffawed, both turning to look at Ethan. He glared at them. “What? I happen to like the smell of fruit. It’s not a crime.”
I let out an involuntary giggle, and all three guys immediately turned to stare. Ethan commented, his tone mocking, “Well, look at that. Buffy here not only takes down creatures of the night, she also giggles.”
My confusion apparent, Ethan sighed. “Please tell me that you’ve seen Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Television series about a beautiful, kick-ass teenage girl who single-handedly takes down vampires and demons?” Did he just imply that he thinks I’m beautiful? Forcing myself to focus, I shook my head at his question. He continued, disgusted. “This is a disaster of epic proportions. We seriously need to hook you up with a Netflix subscription.”
Knox interrupted, his voice a low growl. “Excuse me; did you really just compare me to vampires and demons?”
Ethan smirked. “If the boot fits . . . ”
As their bantering continued, Chase looked over at me and smiled. Clearly he was used to their behavior. And for the second time that day, I felt a prickle of jealousy. I could see myself being friends with these guys, hanging out and playing games, watching movies. But, I also knew it would never happen. It was strange; they were sitting right in front of me, but I already missed them.
One hand was going particularly well, and it was down to Ethan and me for the showdown. I won the hand with a full house and Knox rewarded me with a smile that stretched to his eyes. I felt warmed to the core and smiled in return.
Ethan looked at me, squinting slightly and cocking his head to the side. His tone was serious. “Are you sure you’ve never played poker before?”
I grinned. “Positive. Although I have watched The Sting about a million times.”
Knox’s eyebrows raised in response. “Wait. You’ve seen, and like, The Sting?”
I scrunched up my nose and forehead. “Um, yeah. Who doesn’t like Robert Redford and Paul Newman?”
The three of them sat motionless, staring at me. Knox broke the silence. “I can’t wait ’til Jackson hears this. He’s always talking about that movie and how Uncle reminds him of Shaw.”
I looked from face to face wondering who Jackson and Uncle were. I remembered Knox mentioned he had a younger brother; maybe they had an uncle too? “Knox, is Jackson the younger brother you mentioned?”
They all started laughing, and I felt like the odd one out, wondering if I had missed the punch line. Knox responded. “No, we’re not related. But Jax is like a brother to me. And he’s a member of our team.”
There were more of them? Hopefully they were in Santa Cruz and would stay there. I didn't know if I could handle one more attractive guy in my life.
As the game progressed, it was easier to see when I should bet and when I should fold. Since I had a weak poker face, I focused on my cards and the odds. I enjoyed the game, the strategy and the luck. I liked being with them, feeling like I belonged even if only for the moment.
I had a hard time thinking that any of them wanted to harm me or my Dad. If anything, hadn’t they shown over and over that they were trying to help?
A little voice in the back of my head spoke up. You don’t know who their client is. You don’t know what their motives are.
Maybe not, but I knew that they had rescued me from the fire, even if their appearance there wasn’t accidental. I knew that they had looked out for me, taken care of my injuries, fed me, and even entertained me. And deep down, I believed that they couldn’t be bad.
Knox yawned and stretched his arms behind his head; we had been playing for a while and it was getting late. My eyelids felt heavy; I was drowsy and about ready to call it a night. Chase shifted in his chair, stretching muscles stiff from sitting so long.
I glanced around the table, sizing up the competition. Ethan’s chips were dwindling due to consumption, and he decided to “cash in” by eating the remaining ones. Chase and I had held our own and had about the same amount of chips remaining. Knox was clearly in the lead.
The first three cards were dealt. My hand looked promising, but I couldn’t tell for sure. After another round of betting, the turn card was dealt and Chase folded.
With a ten of hearts, queen of clubs, six of hearts, and ace of spades on the table, I was trying not to get too excited. I struggled to still my nerves and keep my face straight. It was down to Knox and me, and it was my turn to bet.
Glancing again at my cards, I checked my hand for what felt like the hundredth time. I was holding an eight and nine of hearts. If only the river would reveal a seven of hearts, then I would have a straight flush. As far as I remembered, the only hands that could beat a straight flush were one of a higher sequence of cards or a royal flush.
Heart pounding, I wet my lips. Looking down at my chocolate “chips,” I thought, Maybe now’s the time to go all in.
Hesitant yet excited, I pushed all of my chips toward the pot, their bright metallic surfaces gleaming as the eggs rolled across the table. I saw the guys perk up, even Knox. I grinned, secretly delighting in their reaction. I held my breath as I waited for the last card to be dealt. Let the chips fall where they may.