Page 86 of Use Me

The players I didn’t know all nodded their heads and muttered agreement. Kenny sat back down, and my gaze moved back to Corey. He was smirking. What did I ever see in him? How did I ever think that we could get married? I didn’t need to know the full story about Rhys and Corey to know Corey and me breaking up was the best thing that had ever happened. It caused all the dots to connect, all the stars and all the moons to line up. I’d dodged a bullet, that was for sure.

I wanted to run to Rhys and comfort him, tell him that I didn’t care about Corey and, in fact, I never wanted to speak of him again. It was killing me to be patient and give Rhys time, but clearly, something had happened to cause Rhys to act like this after all these years.

I shot daggers in Corey’s direction the entire time the poker game was going on until he was out. The only people left at the time Corey was eliminated were Kenny and Jett. Kenny and Jett were good, and it became clear that Rhys was right. It wasn’t only about having luck, it took skill. I wished that he was still playing because I wanted to see him smile and play with his friends like he does at home.

“I’m going to go find Rhys. Come find us when this is over, or in thirty minutes before the clock strikes midnight,” I said to Abby.

“Okay. I’ll just watch—”

“Kenny.” I winked at her.

Abby smirked. “You know me too well.”

I chuckled and moved toward the door. Rhys wanted me to talk to Abby about them two getting together, but there was no reason to. They’d eventually figure it out.

I made my way toward the bar where Rhys had said he was going to be. It had been thirty minutes or so and if he needed more time, then … Well, I didn’t know what I’d do because we were on a boat for Christ’s sakes.

The snow had stopped falling, and when I got to the outdoor bar, I saw Rhys standing under a heat lamp talking to an older man. Rhys turned and smiled when he saw me. Apparently giving him some time had paid off. Everyone processes anger differently and learning that Rhys needed time to cool off was good to know.

Rhys reached out his hand, and I took it when I got close. “Otis, this is my girlfriend, Ashtyn.”

Otis stuck out his hand, and I shook it with my free hand. “Of course. You do the nightly news on—”

“Actually she’s moving to the evening news,” Rhys stated.

I smiled. “Tomorrow’s the first day.”

“Congratulations,” Otis beamed.

“Thank you.”

“Otis owns a karaoke bar.”

My eyes widened, and I look to Otis. “Really?”

“I do, and I heard you love to sing.”

My face heated. “I wouldn’t say that. This one,” I hooked my thumb in Rhys’s direction, “is actually the karaoke singer.”

We all laughed. “Well, if you two ever want to come and sing your hearts out, give me a call.” Otis handed Rhys his card.

“Thanks, man. I’m sure we can do that one night,” Rhys replied.

“I better go find my wife. Get ready for midnight and all that. It was nice meeting you two.” We shook hands again.

“Want a drink?” Rhys asked after Otis left.

“Sure.”

He turned toward the bar and released my hand, raising his finger to indicate another drink. I had no idea what he’d ordered until the bartender set a glass of Rosé on the bar top. “Who’s left at the table?” Rhys asked as he handed me the flute.

“Kenny and Jett.”

“Not Corey?”

I shook my head. “Nope.”

“So he’s lurking around?”