Page 112 of Truck Up
But Lina’s words were clear. She was angry for me as if it were happening to her. As much as I want to believe she misheard them, I know she’s right.
The person in front of me turns onto a side road, and I hit the gas. As long as no one else pulls out in front of me, I should be there in five minutes. That’s a record time.
And it’s the slowest five minutes of my life.
When I finally reach the bar, I pull right up to the entrance and hop out. Fuck parking my car in a designated space. No one at Posey’s is going to tow me.
The bar is loud and smoky. I hear a few people call out my name, but I don’t stop. They probably know what’s going on in the game room and want to tell me about it like I don’t already know.
The game room is crowded, and I can’t see the table from all the people gathered around. The only hope that gives me is that the game isn’t over.
I push my way through, not caring if I knock people out of my way. It’s rude, but this is my life.
“Oh, shit,” someone says. Then a path opens as everyone steps out of my way. The first person I see is Linden.
I barge toward him and pop him upside the head. “Are you crazy?”
“Hey.” He rubs his head where I hit him and glares at me. “What did you do that for?”
“You know why.” Then I turn my glare to Christian. “Is it true?”
“It’s true.” Lina calls out.
Christian snaps his eyes at her and opens his mouth like he’s going to reprimand her.
“Don’t you dare get mad at her,” I say. I take a few steps closer to him. “You bet our relationship on a game of poker.”
It’s not a question. I’m stating a fact. And by my tone, there’s no doubting just how angry I am about this.
“Lia, it’s just a game,” Linden says. The condescending and dismissive tone of his voice pisses me off even more.
“Just a game!” I yell. “This is my life. I’m not a piece of property that you can sell and trade.”
“It’s not like that.” He insists.
“Oh, yeah.” I cross my arms over my chest and glare at him. “Then what’s it like? Explain it to me so I can understand how betting on me in a game of poker doesn’t make me a piece of property in your eyes.”
“I just want him out of our lives.” He yells back at me with so much desperation written all over his face. “This has ruined our family. Why can’t you see that?”
“The only person ruining our family right now is you.” I turn back to Christian. “How could you?”
“I’m not going to lose,” he says. He doesn’t even bother to look remorseful for his actions.
My mouth drops open in shock. His words sting and tears prick at the corner of my eyes. “Is that how you see me? As something to win in a stupid game.”
“No!” He jumps to his feet and reaches for me, but I step back so he can’t touch me. I’m too pissed to let him hold me. Knowing my stupid body, it’ll make me forgive him instantly. “Baby, you know how I feel about you.”
“Do I?” I lose control of my tears and a few breaks free. I quickly wipe them away. “It’s not like you’ve ever actually told me. And based on this scene, I’m not sure you’ve ever really cared about me.”
“That’s not true.” He steps closer and lowers his voice. “You’re my angel. The reason I breathe.”
I shake my head. “I’m so mad at you. At both of you. You’re both assholes.”
I spin on my heels to leave but Christian grabs my hand, and I snatch it back. His eyes are filled with panic. “Baby, please.”
“I can’t—” My voice cracks. It’s getting harder to hold back the tears. “I can’t believe you’d even entertain something so stupid as this, let alone do it.”
“Please, Lia. It’s just a game.” There’s desperation in his voice as he pleads with me. It’s almost enough to cause me to cave, but then he says, “He can’t beat me anyway.”