All Bets Are Off

CHAPTER 1

REESE

Friday afternoon had left the cubicles around Reese deserted while everyone else frantically tried to burn through vacation days before the end of the year.

She carefully reviewed the screen once more before pressing send on her acceptance email.

It wasn’t fair to say that she hated her job, but after the hellish week she’d had, Reese definitely wouldn’t argue.

At least this new position would come with enough money to almost make it worth all the hard work she’d put in these past few months.

She ran a hand through carefully straightened locks and glanced at the clock before snapping her laptop shut.

It was close enough to five, she supposed.

Shuffling papers into the drawer below, Reese surveyed the rest of the desk to ensure she hadn’t forgotten anything as her phone buzzed in the back pocket of her jeans.

KIRAN

Just finishing up now. Do you have plans tonight?

Her lips curled into a soft and tired smile as she read Kiran’s text.

Reese had been looking forward to tonight for weeks.

She’d been slogging through the interview process for the better part of a month and today she finally received her official offer letter.

She couldn’t think of a better way to share the news than over Thai food on the couch.

Reese pulled her backpack over her shoulder and started towards the stairs before typing out a reply.

The office building was quiet, a low hum coming from the fluorescent lights overhead, and the faintest chime came from the direction of the elevator in the lobby.

Her gait stuttered for a beat as she waited for the automatic doors to open in front of her.

Though it was early, it was already completely dark outside.

Cool crisp air filled her lungs as she felt herself ease into the long-awaited weekend.

Reese’s old Bronco was one of only two cars left in the parking lot.

She reached into her jacket pocket for her keys and checked her phone once more, impatiently awaiting Kiran’s reply.

She tried calling, pinching the phone between her ear and shoulder while she unlocked the car. After six rings it went to voicemail.

For a moment, Reese felt excited by Kiran’s lack of reply. She’d been looking forward to a quiet night in, but if Kiran had something a little more celebratory in mind…then, well, she wasn’t in the position to decline either.

Reese adjusted the dial on the stereo, turning up the volume as she pulled out of the parking lot.

With the windows down and the autumn wind in her hair, a shiver crept down her spine but she welcomed the feeling.

She always felt more alert in the cold air.

The hair on her arms standing up, the sharp breaths in her lungs, the sting in her eyes—each a vivid indicator that she was truly alive.

The old Ford Bronco rattled slightly as she pulled onto the highway. She pursed her lips and reached for her phone, pressing his number on the speed dial again. Leave it to Kiran to somehow manage to lose his phone seconds after texting her.

“Hey babe!” he answered brightly.

Reese let out a slightly relieved sigh, “Hey babe, how’s everything going?” She could barely hear herself over the chatter in the background.

“Great! I’m all finished! We’re getting some pictures for Garrett’s Instagram now.” His voice trailed off distractedly.

“How does it look?” Kiran’s newest tattoo appointment had been on the calendar for weeks now.

“It’s fucking sick, babe. Even better than I imagined.”

“Amazing. I can’t wait to see it,” Reese said. “Do you want me to pick up dinner on the way home? I was thinking we could celebrate—”

Kiran cut her off. “Actually, I thought we could go out tonight!” His voice had shifted to a stiff and showy tone he only used when he knew people could overhear him. But Reese didn’t cringe this time, instead she smiled to herself in the dark car.

“Really?” She glanced down at her clothes and quickly wondered if she was dressed nicely enough for whatever Kiran had planned.

“Garrett’s throwing a birthday party for one of the artists at the shop.

We bought a bunch of beer and Carlos’s brother is setting up his DJ equipment now.

It’s gonna be great!” Reese could hear Kiran respond to a couple cheers in the background as disappointment settled low in her stomach.

It’s not like she’d been expecting some extravagant gesture.

But fuck, she’d even settle for a clap on the back and a Congrats, babe after weeks of work.

“Should I bring anything special? I can bring a bottle of champagne,” she offered pointedly.

“I don’t think it’s really a ‘drinking champagne’ kinda vibe tonight, baby. But bring whatever you want.” Kiran continued, oblivious to her hints.

Reese gripped the steering wheel a little more firmly than necessary for the remainder of the drive home.

Historically, she knew Kiran wasn’t known for being the most reliable.

He was constantly forgetting important dates (her birthday), special occasions (their anniversary), and everyday necessities (his keys, wallet, gym bag).

Reese couldn’t even begin to count the amount of times she had raced home to find him locked out of the apartment, sitting on the front steps grinning like a child.

When they first met in their sophomore year of college, it was harmless and charming.

But at twenty-eight it just felt irritating.

He blamed his ADHD—which he insisted he had, though it had never actually been diagnosed—but miraculously never forgot which bars had the best daily happy hours, or which football team was playing on any given day of the season.

It didn’t even matter how many dinners he showed up to late—or not at all.

Reese’s parents couldn’t praise Kiran enough, at least once they got over the initial shock of meeting the first and only boyfriend Reese ever brought home.

In fact, she secretly believed that her parents would actually pick Kiran over her, given the choice.

He came from a good family, was well educated, and well liked by everyone around him.

He’d graduated with a practical degree in a promising field, interned at his father’s company, and was now poised to take over the stuffy office building once his father retired in the next decade.

In her parent’s eyes, Kiran was perfect.

Yet despite his flaws, Kiran was damn charming when he wanted to be.

His deep brown eyes and handsome face could sway even his harshest critics.

His magnetic personality made him able to make new friends in every crowded place in a way that made Reese jealous.

In contrast, social settings often triggered her anxiety.

Leaving her quiet and softly fading into the background as situations unfolded around her.

But more often than not, Kiran was there to wrap an arm around her, throwing her a lifeline into the conversation at hand.

The transom window over the door of the tattoo shop was illuminated from inside and heavy curtains were drawn in front of the floor length windows.

A few tattooed and bearded people hovered near the front door; a plume of cigarette smoke curling through the air over their heads.

As Reese drew closer, she could see a stunning motorcycle parked on the curb directly next to the three stairs leading up to the front door.

She paused for a moment, admiring it when one of the smokers called out, “You into bikes?”

She forcefully exhaled through her nose and shook her head, “A little too unpredictable for me…but that’s a good looking motorcycle.”

One of the bearded guys nodded in agreement and said, “I know that’s right,” before chuckling to another smoker leaning against the railing. “Are you here for Jette’s birthday?”

Reese struggled to remember if Kiran had even mentioned the name of whose party she was walking into. She shrugged and said, “I guess so.” Her voice sounded as tired as she felt. Already Reese was counting down the minutes until she could leave without seeming rude.

The bearded man nodded his head in the direction of the door before she awkwardly shuffled up the steps and stepped inside. The tiny tattoo shop was crowded and the faint smell of cigarette smoke and weed lingered in the air. Her nose scrunched up involuntarily as she scanned the room for Kiran.

She was relieved to spot his jet black hair in the back corner where he was talking to a pretty dark-haired girl and Garrett.

Reese could just barely make out the new tattoo on his upper arm under the fresh Saniderm as he gestured with his hands.

She watched him idly scan the room before bringing a beer bottle to his lips.

He smiled warmly when they made eye contact and he finished his sip before waving her over.

The combination of the lights overhead and his deeply tanned skin made his teeth look unnaturally white.

He could barely wait until she approached the group before pulling her in for a hug.

“Hey baby! You made it!” The heavy smell of beer lingered on his breath and Reese recoiled slightly.

She had always hated that stale and musty smell.

Kiran quickly planted a kiss on her lips and looped an arm around her shoulders before introducing her.

“This is Reese!” he drunkenly exclaimed, “Reese, this is everyone!” She felt her cheeks flush from the attention.

Next to her, Kiran nudged a lukewarm glass bottle into her hands.

Garrett’s warm hazel eyes crinkled at the corners as he raised his beer in welcome. The dark-haired girl to his right extended her hand. “I don’t think we’ve met before. I’m Jette,” she said with a smile.

Reese shook her hand. “Ah, so it’s your birthday,” she loosely gestured to the crowded room.