Page 65 of Almost Beautiful (Beautiful 3)

“What’s up?” Shepley asked from the couch.

America ignored Shepley and responded to me, “Of course, silly. I know I’ll get it right back.”

“You’ll get what right back?” Shepley asked, watching her rummage through her wallet.

America nodded to me. “Cash. Do you have any? Give everything you have to Abby.”

“Sure,” Shepley said, reaching to the side table. He pulled out every bill in his wallet and handed it to America. “What’s this for?”

“Poker night at Sig Tau.” America walked the money over to me.

Shepley smiled. “Does that mean I’m getting it back with interest?”

“Of course,” I said.

“Parker will be there,” America said.

“And Bentley Rutherford never misses a game. He drops thousands. I wish you’d told me,” Shepley said, chuckling. “I’d have gone to the ATM earlier and gotten more money.”

I looked down at the stack in my hand. “This is plenty.”

Shepley grabbed his phone and began texting.

“Travis already knows,” I said.

Shepley didn’t look away from his phone. “I’m not texting him. The more people with serious money at the table, the more I’ll make. I’m starting a text tree like I used to do for the—”

“Shepley!” America and I yelled in unison.

“Be careful!” America continued, holding her index finger to her mouth. “You almost knocked over my wine.”

Shepley had frozen, but he nodded.

“Sorry, baby, I forgot … it was there.”

America gently popped my arm with her elbow. “Go get ’em, sis.”

The windshield wipers kept a steady beat with whatever was playing on the car radio all the way to the Sig Tau house, and I was still weaving back and forth to my hype music while I sat parked at the curb.

Praying occurred to me, but I was more focused on strategy. I’d made tens of thousands from Vegas vets practically a few days ago, I could railroad a couple of frat boys.

I closed Sig Tau’s front door behind me, the air inside chilling my wet skin. I followed deep voices and laughter until I reached a room that looked like it was for meetings.

There were three round tables that sat six a piece, and two games were already started. Shepley really came in clutch. There were plenty of trust fund babies in the room.

Justin and Ricky were sitting with Parker and a few other men I didn’t recognize.

“There she is,” Parker said, beaming. “Hey Abs, I saved you a seat.”

Next to him. Of course.

I nodded and slid into my chair, exchanged money for chips, and without much chit chat, the game started. I was the only female in the room, a novelty.Entertainment,as Parker put it. They were going to be entertained, all right.

The first few rounds, I played soft. Scaring away money right from the start wasn’t smart. I had to lure them into betting more while also challenging their manhood so they’d make stupid decisions.

Not an hour in, and both Ricky and Justin were sweating.

“You’re not bad for a girl,” Parker said.