Page 82 of Use Me

I laughed. “You’re gonna need more help than winning at cards.”

The key to having better odds of winning was to not be drunk when it was time for the final table. The problem was, the moment he walked into the room, I wished I was wasted off my ass.

My body went rigid, and anger laced through my veins.

Corey Fucking Pritchett walked into the room and moved toward the final table. I didn’t know where Ashtyn was and that was probably for the best because I didn’t want her to witness me losing my shit. The last time I saw Corey, I was alone and knew if he tried something, I would more than likely get my ass kicked. Now I had my boys with me, and there was nowhere to go. We had at least two more hours on the cruise, and now that I knew Corey was on the same boat, it was going to be the longest two hours of my life.

I narrowed my eyes in his direction, wishing looks could kill. He looked around the table after sitting, and when his gaze met mine, recognition registered on his face.

He smirked.

He fucking smirked at me, and I wanted to do nothing more than fly across the table and beat his ass.

“Cole,” he said dryly.

“Pritchett,” I clipped. I could feel my friends look at me, but I didn’t take my death glare off of Corey.

“Didn’t know you were here.”

“Same.”

I watched a woman move up behind him and place her hand on his shoulder. She leaned down and asked, “Can I get you anything to drink, sweetie?”

Sweetie? She has no clue.

Fuck! Where was Ashtyn?

I wanted Corey to see me with her. To know that I was winning because Ashtyn was mine. I was dating someone everyone knew and not this chick who looked like she stood on street corners. Okay, that might be a little harsh because I didn’t know this woman, but she was dating my bully from high school, so all cruel names were a go.

I watched him look up at her and have no emotion whatsoever. He looked at her as though she was hired or that he knew nothing about her other than maybe her name. I’d bet it was Cinnamon or some shit. So I decided to do what my mother taught me. I was going to kill him with kindness.

“Yeah, bring me a Jack and Coke, will ya?”

“Anything for you.” She kissed his cheek and then his attention moved back to me.

“You know this guy?” Kenny asked, hooking his thumb in Corey’s direction.

I smiled. I fucking smiled as though Corey and I were fucking bros. “Yeah. Corey and I go back to high school.”

“You going to introduce us?” Jett asked.

No. That thought had never crossed my mind. Fine. I sighed and did the introductions. Everyone else at the table took that to mean we were getting to know each other and the other six people shook hands. I didn’t fucking touch the asshole sitting across from me.

The dealer shuffled the cards and dealt out two to each of us. Pocket kings. Fuck yeah.I slow played my starting hand, only calling one of the guy’s bets. Kenny, Jett, and Corey all called as well. The others folded. The dealer turned over three cards: two of spades, ten of hearts and king of clubs.

I didn’t show any emotion as I stared at the cards, knowing I had a three of a kind. It helped that I was pissed. Never in my life had I thought I’d run into this asshole, and now within a month or so, I’d run into him twice.

Twice.

The original better bet again and the rest of us called. The dealer turned over a two of hearts. I had a full house.

As I contemplated how much to bet, Ashtyn walked in through the door that led outside. It was as though everything was right in my world. We smiled at each other as our gazes met and then, just as I was grabbing chips to raise, Corey spoke and changed my entire world with one word.

“Ashtyn?”

I watched her turn at her name, and it felt as though a knife was being stabbed in my heart. “Corey?” she asked. Clearly, she knew who he was.

I went all in, not caring about slow playing anymore. As I watched the exchange, not reading my opponents, Corey smiled and spoke to Ashtyn as though he couldn’t care less about the game. “I had no idea you were at this party.”