Page 156 of Crash Course

I’m an Ashford, after all.

“What time is it?” I blink, the buzz of alcohol wearing off.

“Nearly noon.”

“What day?”

She and the dealer exchange a look.

“Thursday.”

Not that far off from what I thought.

“What do you do when you’re not here?” the woman asks as I start to stack my chips.

“I used to drive cars.”

“Like a chauffeur.”

I cock my head. “Sure.”

Shay’s called more times than I’ve answered, trying to reconcile me to the fact that I did the right thing.

There was no way I could race in the seat I only won after my brother left to chase after the girl he loved. The one who loved him back.

And maybe…

Maybe for once, I wanted to be the hero.

My chest aches. From the outside, it might appear that women are interchangeable for me. When it was about companionship and distraction, they probably were.

She was different. She made me question whether the story everyone had about me, my family included, was even true. Thanks to her, I not only wanted more but for the first time, I tried more.

If I had won the seat and the girl, I wouldn’t have held it over Jamie. I would have been generous in victory, not advertising the fact that I got everything I wanted at his expense.

But he had to one-up me there too.

Work with me. We can rebuild together.

Ha. Only Jamie would think it would be better for me to go back into the belly of the company, spend days right next to the brother who was more everything than I was.

Fuck. If this is what heartbreak feels like, I see why people become alcoholics.

“And now?” the woman next to me asks.

“I’m in between opportunities,” I say, taking a sip of my drink. Whatever number I’m on.

At least Ignite has been having a good season. I shouldn’t be pleased but I am. They’re competing against my company. I make money when ARI does well. When my brother succeeds.

“I know what you should do.”

“Yeah?”

“Poker.” The woman nods to my stacks of chips.

I take a second to appreciate the winnings I’ve accumulated as the dealer begins a new hand.

Growing up, Jameson was brilliant with cars. Eden, when she was around, was a social mastermind.