“We have fifteen minutes. You want to grab a drink?”

She nods, sliding on her sunglasses and pulling her hood over her head before leading the way to the nearby bar. We slide up on the stools and Skyler puts five dollars in the computer game built into the bar. She mindlessly plays Keno as I order us a couple of beers.

“Hey.” I nudge her playfully, smiling. “After you rob all these chumps, wanna go skinny dipping?” I waggle my eyebrows and she deadpans before focusing on the screen again. I sigh. “What’s wrong? Talk to me. You can’t go into the tournament like this.”

Her finger hovers above a number and she stops short. Suddenly, she turns in her seat to fully face me. “Who the hell made you think you could tell me what I can and can’t do? In case you forgot, you haven’t worked with me on this since the first night you saw me play. You don’t know my style, you don’t know my before-tournament rituals – you don’t know anything about me. So back off.”

“I know this isn’t you, Skyler.” I cut her off, refusing to let her make this into a fight about us. “You don’t want to talk about what’s on your mind? Fine. But get your shit together and focus on winning this tournament. It’s a waste of money and both of our time if you blow it over your need to be moody.”

Her mouth flies open and I know I’m being a fucking dick, but I don’t know how else to get through to her. I tried joking around, I tried being genuine, and apparently she’s not shy when it comes to throwing out low blows so I’ll throw her some of my own.

“Skyler?” A voice comes from the seat beside Skyler and we both turn to find a short, smiling blonde. “Skyler Thorne? Wow, what luck! I’ve been searching for you everywhere in here! I figured you would be hiding out and I should just give up. Then I sit down to get a drink and you fall into my lap! Funny how that works. Oh, sorry, gosh I’m so rude. I’m Lacy – Lacy Moondella. I’m with Big Blind Magazine,” she rambles on, but Skyler immediately turns to me and even through her glasses I can tell her eyes are wide. Shit.

“Listen, you wouldn’t mind if I asked you a few questions, would you? I’m a new writer and I could really impress my boss if I got an exclusive interview with you.”

“Actually, we need to get to the first table. Come on, Sky.” I stand, pulling her arm but she jerks it away, throwing me an evil glare before turning back to the reporter.

“I’ve only got a few minutes. No quotes about being young or hot or a female. Poker questions only. Go.”

I let out a frustrated sigh before falling back onto the stool next to her. Lacy gives a giddy smile and little clap and pulls out a digital voice recorder. She asks how Skyler’s feeling about May, if she’s been entering a lot of tournaments, how she’s balancing school and her social life along with playing, and on and on. Skyler answers each question quickly but with character and I actually think this reporter will have a pretty decent article once she finishes.

Checking my watch, I tap it and motion to the tables and Skyler nods. She stands, smiling and leaving a twenty on the bar. “I have to get to the table, but I hope you have enough to impress your boss. Good luck.”

“Wait!” Lacy hops up quickly and we both turn back to face her. “What about the guy you were seen kissing a couple weeks ago? Can you tell me a little about him? Is he your boyfriend? Is…” Suddenly, she eyes me closer. “Is this him?”

Skyler remains calm, but I feel my face redden and I clench my fist. Fuck.

“Oh gosh.” Skyler laughs, covering her smile with her hand. “I’m sorry, but it’s just funny that you think I would have a steady boyfriend. I’m in college. I kiss a lot of boys. Sorry to disappoint you, but I don’t even remember his name.”

Lacy looks me up and down, still scrutinizing, but laughs it off. “Oh yeah. Duh! Obviously. I was in college not too long ago.” Now it’s my turn to say obviously. “Well good luck tonight. Hope you’ll check out the article!”

Skyler nods curtly and forges toward the tables. I hurry to catch up with her. “Great cover. Looks like you’ve got your poker face on, after all.”

She stops short and turns on her heel to face me. “Maybe if you weren’t so stupid saying my name in a crowded bar I wouldn’t have had to think on my feet. Thank God I did, though, because clearly you had nothing to say. And stop acting like my coach. You want to help me train? Fine. But right now I need you to just back off. Back. Off.”

I throw my hands up in surrender and she rolls her eyes before storming off. “Good luck!” I shout after her and she flips me off, sliding into her chair at the first table. I smile, shaking my head, but this isn’t a laughing situation. She’s shaken, she’s off, and obviously she’s pissed off, too, which is just wonderful.

This is going to be a long night.

It’s just past midnight and only five players are left at the final table. Skyler is one of them, but mostly due to luck because she has played like shit all night. She’s playing aggressively but not smart, and though that might have worked well enough to get her to this table, it’s working against her quickly now. The other players are calling her on her bluffs and when she does have a strong hand, she bets too quickly and chases callers away. Sunglasses and hoodie aside, she isn’t fooling anyone. She’s on tilt. She’s playing with her emotions and not with her head and it’s all about to be over. Skyler’s going to lose this tournament and I don’t have any doubt about it. If anyone wanted to make some quick cash, they’d bet on that tonight instead of a Blackjack hand.

Before I even have the chance to murmur a prayer under my breath for her to calm down and get back on track, she pushes all her chips forward. All in. I sigh, shaking my head as the only other player left calls easily. He’s a young guy, too – maybe in his early thirties with a bald head and beady eyes that he hasn’t bothered covering with sunglasses. Judging by the way he’s been playing all night, he has something good to call such a big bet. He’s been playing safe, no bluffs that I’ve seen – at least, not that he’s had to show. He’s playing the way Skyler should be except maybe just a little less aggressive than what is ideal. Whatever the case may be, he’s got a winning hand. I can feel it.

Both of them stand and flip over their cards, Skyler pulling off her sunglasses and crossing her arms as she realizes her odds. She has a ten and Jack suited, which isn’t bad, but he’s got a pair of Kings. The flop has already been dealt and didn’t help either of them. Slowly, the dealer lays out the turn. It’s a Jack. Good for Skyler, but still not a win. The river reveals a King and the crowd claps for the beady-eyed man as Skyler’s shoulders sink. She lets out a long breath and her eyes find mine. For a moment, we just stare at each other, a sadness in her eyes that I’m not sure how to handle. Finally, I shrug and she shrugs, too. That’s it. Game over. Time to go home.

I don’t even try to talk to her as we pile into the back of a cab. I tell the driver my address and she starts driving as Skyler quickly turns to me.

“Wait, she needs to take me home first. It’s on the way.”

“You’re coming home with me tonight.”

“What?” Her voice squeaks as she yells, her face scrunched up. “Um, no. Not happening.” She leans forward to talk to the driver but I stop her before she can say anything.

“Damnit, Skyler, you’re coming home with me or I’m going to call that reporter and tell her I was the guy from the bonfire and I can tell her way more fun stories about you than what she got earlier.”

For the second time tonight, Skyler’s mouth falls open. “You wouldn’t do that.”

I pull the card Lacy slipped me as we left out of my pocket and hold it between my fingertips, swiveling it slowly. Skyler’s lips flatten into a line and she throws herself back against the seat angrily, crossing her arms and looking out the window. “You’re a Class A Douche right now.”