Chapter 28: Odds in your Favor

**Chase**

“You haven’t heard from her yet?” Corey questions as we pace the casino, eyeing the games the resort has to offer. It's surprising they have such a wide spread, let alone with this much variety; everything from classic to modern slots with updated graphics, tables with traditional games like blackjack and roulette, alongside newer offerings like baccarat and poker. The vibe is electric, the soft hum of the machines blending with the clink of chips and the occasional holler from a lucky winner. It’s been several hours since we invited the girls to join us for the evening with no response, and seeing as Lena went to tell her fiance about the two of us, my nerves are on fucking edge. The whiskey stings my throat as I shake my head in response, reflecting on our morning together. The bliss of waking up next to that gorgeous face of hers and although I feel like I am getting to know her better, I’m not sure whether her silence is cause for concern or a good thing. Pining after a woman has never been my style, but there is something about her that I can’t let go of. “Damn man,” Corey says with a sigh as we glance at a heated black jack table nearby, “Katie was hella vague with me. Responded to my text within seconds that she will have to get back to me later.” He sighs, sounding just as worried as I am, like he’s trying to make sense of something that doesn’t quite add up. “Here looks promising,” I murmur as I nod towards the gentleman at the Black Jack table before Corey and I sit in two empty seats.

The dealer gives us a calm, but professional bow before he starts shuffling the cards. I take a deep breath, counting my chips as I ready myself for the game. Normally I would opt for poker, as I enjoy the strategy and challenge it brings. However, right now, I don’t think I’m in the right headspace to focus on a game that demands that level of concentration... A game that requires a sharp mind and patience, which I am incapable of embodying at this time. I run my palm across the surface of the deep green table as the dealer shuffles and deals cards out to the seven of us. I fiddle with a chip between my fingers while he places two cards face up in front of me: a 7 and a 5. Not bad, 12 is a great place to start. The dealer finishes dividing the cards before placing his own face card up- a 9. It’s a heavy card, and I know the reserved and nonchalant resort employee before me could be sitting on a stellar total. “Are you going to stay or hit?” Corey asks quietly, his face lightly stressed while gazing at the 2 and 4 sitting in front of him. I decide to hit on impulse, without responding. The dealer smirks and slides a card toward me—it’s a 4 and I now have… 16. I can’t afford to go over 21, but I’m hesitant to stay with such a low total with 6 other gentlemen playing the same round. I take a deep breath, then tap the table, signaling I want another card. The dealer slides one more toward me. I take a deep breath before I glance up to see a 5 sitting before me. Just like that, I have 21. “What the hell man?! Too fucking lucky!” Corey snaps as the dealer slides the pile of chips in my direction before collecting and shuffling the deck. Several of the men at the table praise the good game, while others mutter curses under their breath. Here’s hoping my luck holds out for the rest of the games.

***

"Here you go, handsome," the cocktail waitress purrs, setting another whiskey on the rocks down beside me with a flirtatious smile. I nod and hand her a small tip. We're three rounds in, with more wins than losses, when I can't help but tune into the conversation unfolding to my left. Two men sit, drinking more than playing, when the name Lena spills from one of their lips. My Lena, my beautiful, little dove. I eye them cautiously, taking a sip of my drink while absorbing the appearance of the two drunken idiots sharing their business more openly than they would if they were sober. “Lena is a good girl. I wouldn’t stress over a little Cancun fling.” The sleazy looking one coos while eye fucking the cocktail waitress as she lean down to take a drink order at the table across from us. “Wouldn’t stress it?! She wants to call off the wedding you idiot!” The second one hisses while smoothing back his light blonde hair, before asking the dealer to hit him with another card. “DAMN IT,” he shouts, slamming his fists onto the table. I catch a glimpse of his cards and can't help but smirk as I realize he’s busted with a total of 23.

“I ask that you kindly keep it down gentlemen, or else I will have you removed from the game.” The dealer says nonchalantly. “Sorry,” the man scoffs before throwing more chips towards the center of the table. “Jasper, Jasper, Jasper… this kind of thing is… normal before tying the knot. It happens way more often than you think. She will come to her senses.” The dark haired sleazeball confidently states while patting his friend on the back. “I don’t think it’s that fucking simple. Something was different about her today James. The way she talked about that guy, what was his fucking name again?!” The man, now known as Jasper, downs his drink before letting out a long breath. The dealer shuffles and deals the cards once more, as the friend speaks again. “Honestly, who cares what his name is. You just need to remind her of who is actually in charge here.” My eavesdropping is interrupted when Corey nudges my arm. “You hear this shit dude? You don’t think that’s her…” he whispers as we try to shift our focus back to the game in front of us. Clearly he was sucked into the conversation too.

“Probably.” I say under my breath. Corey’s eyes widen as they dart back and forth between the game and the men to our left. What an unfortunate turn of events. If he is here, then where is she? I notice Corey is texting on his phone when my attention drifts back to their conversation. “Besides, I doubt you will even care after you see what I have planned tonight. I got them both... The girls from yesterday.” James slurs with a mischievous look in his eyes. “You should go alone. I think I need to spend tonight with Lena, remind her who the fuck she belongs to. I can’t believe she let another man fucking touch her!” Jasper retorts back with a scowl. “And you really think she is going to separate from her cronies to spend time with you? I think the best thing you can do is give her some space to clear her head, while you… take out your frustrations on the sexy little sluts waiting for us in room 203.” Jasper eyes James with frustration, while his friend smirks back in response. “Did… Did I hear that fucking correctly?” Corey whispers in my direction, and I nod as to not draw attention to the shock and awe I know we are both feeling. My chest tightens, their words like a ton of bricks weighing on my heart, as I fully process what I just heard from these knitwits a few chairs down.

“It will all work itself out in the end. In the meantime, you need to relax my friend… And bury your balls deep in them both.” James says with a disgusting grin, while Jasper finishes off his drink with a chuckle. “Fine, you win. Let’s go have some fun, and I will talk with her in the morning once we’ve both come to our senses.” Jasper responds cooly, pushing his cards back towards the dealer. “That’s my boy! Keep the chips gentleman, it’s on us!” James shouts as the two stand from the table and turn to leave. “Next time, I’ll shoot and aim for that little cocktail waitress that was serving our drinks all night.” I hear one of them say as they strut towards the exit. “21!” The dealer exclaims, once again pushing the chips in my direction. “Had they not left, you surely wouldn’t have won again sir. The odds have been in your favor this evening.” The dealer shares while collecting the cards and begins to shuffle once more. “Hey! Katie just got back, said they will meet up! What do you wanna do man?!” Corey excitedly says, the grin on his face completely spread from ear to ear. I finish my drink off before collecting my winnings for the evening. Odds in my favor? I think I like the sound of that.