Chapter 9 #2
“To new and old friends,” Cordelia says with a raised glass in the air.
“Cheers.”
We all down the whiskey as if they were shots. Cordelia notices that we fell in line, and a pleased expression takes over.
“Good. Now, who wants to challenge me in a little cornhole game? I absolutely love it,” she says.
“Then we should be on a team because I always beat Ace,” Cara says with a giggle.
“Cara’s on my team! Ace, Bradley, you can be our challengers.”
We all laugh and start to head out back. Cordelia has Cara’s arm in hers and begins telling her details about the architecture of the house as they walk through it. The sea of people naturally parts as they do. Another sign that Cordelia holds an important role here.
I look over to Brad, who has a light sheen covering his skin.
“Everything okay?” I ask.
“I’m glad that went well.”
“Me too,” I add, pretending to feign confusion. “Were you worried it wouldn’t?”
“Another time, Ace.”
“Why won’t you tell me what’s going on?”
“Not everything is what it seems.”
“Whatever you say.”
Catching up to Cara, I pull her aside.
“Are you really good at cornhole?” I ask.
“Another special talent,” Cara whispers.
“You’re full of hidden talents.”
“I did grow up in a small town. It’s not hard to fathom that I would know how to bake or play some yard games.”
“I suppose that’s true.”
Cara peers up at me through her long eyelashes, making me wish the look in her eyes was real. She grazes her hand against my chest before resting it there.
“Maybe one day you’ll find out about more of them.”
I feel the exuding heat between us, and I’ll be damned, but I wish it was real and not for show. All eyes are on us as we wait for the cornhole boards to be set up.
“I already know that you, my lucky charm, are anything but predictable. I’m not sure why your hidden suburban talents have come as a shock. I’ll rectify my reactions immediately,” I murmur.
“Good. I wouldn’t take you for someone who couldn’t handle what I can dish out.”
“Believe me, I can.”
Cara stands up on the balls of her feet and opens her mouth to speak as she grips onto my shoulders to steady her balance. I can feel her breath teasing my lips, and I want to devour them whole right here in front of everyone.
As her husband, it would make sense that I do. My only problem is that I want to kiss her without it being a spectacle.
“Promises, promises,” she murmurs.
Cara places a soft kiss on my lips, and it sends a jolt of electricity through my body. This is the second time we’ve kissed, and both times, I’ve had a visceral reaction to the way she tastes.
“Oh boy, it’s getting hot in here,” Cordelia taunts.
Cara steps to the side but stays latched onto me and grins.
“We are newlyweds,” she says with a giggle.
“Newlyweds! I had no idea. Congratulations are in order,” Cordelia shouts.
“Thank you,” I answer.
Cordelia places her hands on her hips and cocks a leg out to the side.
“You know what? Why don’t you two come to my casino? We have a special tournament next week. Invite only. You two can be my special guests.”
“That would be wonderful,” Cara exclaims.
“You like to gamble?”
“I love it. I’m not an expert, but I can hold my own.”
“Alright, between you and Ace playing, maybe we’ll have a show after all,” Cordelia says with a chuckle.
“Let’s see if you’re as good as you say you are at cornhole first.”
“You know it.”
Cara leaves my side and heads to the opposite board that Cordelia is waiting by.
“Boys, why don’t you two sit this one out? Two of the other women wanted to play.”
“Of course, ladies first,” I answer ahead of Brad.
He gives a slight nod and then walks over to where I stand.
The game gets started, and I can sense by the way Brad is fidgeting that something is up.
He’s either uncomfortable that I got an invite so soon, or there’s a different matter he’s itching to tell me.
It must have something to do with why he was being so cryptic earlier.
Either way, I can’t make the first move and ask about the casino night.
We got an invite from the woman of the hour. It’s the best luck we could have had with this case so early on.
Brad crosses his arms against his chest.
“She knows about you.”
“What about me?”
“Your past.”
I cross my arms to mimic his pose.
“Will that be a problem? I don’t count cards anymore.”
He laughs in disbelief.
“You don’t get it.”
“No, I don’t. Why don’t you tell me?”
Brad faces me and uncrosses his arms. He stuffs them in his pockets as he rocks on his heels.
“Ms. Miller,” he starts.
Brad clears his throat.
“Cordelia, I should say.”
“Yeah?”
“She’s got connections around here. Is this the life you want back into? Is this why you became my fucking neighbor, Ace? You gotta tell me. I can’t help you if I don’t know what you’re doing here.”
“I want the best life possible for my new wife.”
Brad nods as he considers my confession.
“She’ll want you to count cards Thursday.”
“Why?”
“Outside of the obvious, to make her money,” he begins.
“Yeah?”
“Because it’s more than a game to her. It’s part of how she operates.”
“Does she own the casino?”
Brad lets out a long sigh.
“Come on, Ace. I know you know she does. It’s obvious what’s happening here.”
I won’t disagree, but I need him to say it.
“She’s auditioning you.”
“To work for her at the casino?”
“Not like some dead-end job, man. She knows who you are, and she collects the best in the Carolinas.”
“That would make her…”
“I’m not going to say it.”
“Let’s go with important.”
“Yes.”
“Then I better show her my cards on Thursday.”