Jude leads me over to the spread of food.
Beer guy points a finger at Tony. “This guy talks, but don’t believe a word he says. He’s also a lightweight.”
“Guys, this is Rachel. Rachel, this is Lonzo, that’s Eddie, and well, you already know this is Tony.”
“Nice to meet you all.”
“Rachel’s gonna join us for tonight’s game, if that’s all right.”
I expect maybe a little push back—after all, I am invading their guy time—but I swear their smiles only grow wider as they nod and shout out their approval.
“Grab a plate and one of the beers from Lonzo’s stash before all the good stuff is gone. I’m gonna run down and walk Walter real quick.”
“Want me to make you a plate?”
“Yeah, thanks.” Jude grabs Walter and heads out the door.
“Rachel, what did you do to our man? He’s never smiled so much, and I’ve known him for five years.”
“How did you two meet? When?”
“Do you love him? Of course you do. You’re here.”
The questions fire rapidly. “Uh, I don’t know how to answer any of that.” I don’t know how close Jude is with these guys, or what he shares. Plus, it’s not as if Jude and I are a thing. Not yet anyway, and it’s not as if I’d explain our relationship to a room of strangers. “Y’all are worse than a room full of women!”
“I like you. You don’t take shit.” Tony turns to the other two guys. “She’s good for him.”
I hope so, because he’s sure as hell been good to me.
“Hey, Rachel.” Eddie directs his smile at me, and then flicks his gaze to the door. “How do you feel about practical jokes? And how would you like to drive our competitive friend a little mad?”
I lean forward against the counter. “Keep talking.”
Tony chuckles, his laughter warming the entire room. “Yeah, I really like you.”
* * *
“Let’s go another round.” Jude’s brows scrunch together, a crease forming along his brow from concentration, and irritation. His friends are right; the man hates losing. “Let me deal.”
“No way.” Tony shakes his head, then shoots me a conspiratorial wink. “Rachel deals this one. You can’t be trusted.”
A smile pushes onto my lips, and I bite it back. “Your friends warned me about you.” I point across the table and meet Jude’s scowl. “They said I should keep an eye on you.”
“He’s a total shark.” Lonzo, who I’ve learned is one of Jude’s vendors, grins with a wide, toothy smile.
“Will take all your money.” Eddie, the owner of five major breweries in the Southern California area, sends me a conspiratorial wink. He’s the one who slipped me a few aces under the table earlier. I still have them. Just waiting for the right time to play them. I was all in for the prank until I found out they were playing for real money and not just fun. Jude covered my buy-in, though I asked him not to. Whatever I make tonight, I plan to give back.
“I do not cheat.” Jude lets loose a frustrated growl and his friends laugh. “I happen to be better than everyone else. Except for tonight.”
Eddie pushes away from the table. “Right. Well, then, you don’t need me. It’s getting late for this old man. Good night, everyone.” He waves and gives Walter a scratch on the head before walking to the door.
Lonzo chuckles, dropping his cards onto the table. “That’s my last hand. It was lovely to meet you, Rachel.” He tips his chin to me, then turns to the head of the table. “Jude, I don’t know why we’re friends.”
“You love me. Admit it.”
“Never.” He laughs, and follows Eddie out.
We shared a lot of laughs tonight. I like them.
