Stepbrother Dearest(42)

The man held up his hands. “I didn’t know she was with someone. She was helping me out.”

“It looked like you were helping yourself.” Elec dragged him by the neck over to me. “Apologize to her right now.”

“Look man—”

Elec squeezed his neck harder. “Apologize.”

“I’m sorry,” the man choked out.

Elec was still irate and wouldn’t take his eyes off the guy.

I gestured with the drinks in my hand. “Come on, Elec. Please let’s just go.”

I breathed a sigh of relief when he took his drink from me and started walking away.

The man called out from behind us. “You’re lucky you came when you did. I was just about to ask her to blow on my dice.”

Elec flipped back around and charged toward the man, but I ran in front of him blocking his aim. In the process, he bumped into me, and both drinks spilled all over my dress.

“Elec, no! We can’t get kicked out of here. Please. I’m begging you.”

Despite the maniacal look in his eyes, by some miracle, Elec backed down. I think he knew if he took another step forward, it would have meant the end of our night. I was glad he realized that the guy wasn’t worth it.

“You can thank her that you still have a face,” Elec said before following me out of the room.

We walked in silence toward the exit until he took one look at my dress when we reentered the bright lighting.

“Shit, Greta. You’re a mess.”

“A hot mess.” I laughed.

“Let’s go. I’m buying you a new outfit.”

“It’s fine. I’m just a little wet.”

Good God, Greta. Choose words wisely.

“No, it’s not fine. That was my fault.”

“It’ll dry. Tell you what, if you win something tonight, you can spend it all on a new outfit for me at one of these expensive shops. That’s the only way I’m letting you spend any money on me.”

“I better get to work then, because you smell like a bar dumpster.”

“Why, thank you.”

“First, let’s get you another adult beverage. Come on.”


I stuck with Elec while he ordered our drinks at a different bar. “You want to come watch me play poker, or do you prefer playing your old lady slots?”

“I’d love to watch you play.”

He looked over at the poker tables to survey the scene. “On second thought, I won’t be able to concentrate. It’s all men over there right now. Those guys are gonna be all over you, and I really don’t feel like getting into another fight tonight. Why don’t we split up for a little bit. You go play your pennies, and I’ll come find you once I’ve played a couple of rounds.”

I pointed to the slots diagonally across the room. “I’ll be over there, then.”

As I walked away, I thought about how I should have asked him why it bothered him so much if guys hit on me. I was the single one after all. Didn’t he say it wasn’t my place to care about him? So, why did he care about that if he’s with Chelsea? I had to endure watching his girlfriend all over him right in front of me, so why shouldn’t he have to endure some guy flirting with me?

I wanted to text him that question but wasn’t sure if he had the same phone number from seven years ago. I decided I’d text the old number in my phone anyway to get it off my chest, and if it was no longer his number, then so be it.



Why does it matter to you anymore if other guys hit on me? You’re not supposed to care.



After a few minutes, there was no reply. It wasn’t his number anymore. Well, it still felt good to type those words out.

I chose a Lucky Sevens machine and situated myself next to an old woman whose hair was pretty much blue because it had so much rinse in it.

She smiled over at me. Her lipstick was the brightest florescent pink, and she had a smear of it on her front teeth.

I pulled the lever repeatedly not even paying attention to whether or not I was winning anything.

Her voice startled me. “You look like you have something on your mind.”

“I do?”

“Who is he, and what did he do?”

I’d never see this woman again after today. Maybe I should just let it all out.

“You want the long version or the short version?”

“I’m ninety, and the dinner buffet opens in five minutes. Give me the short version.”

“Okay. I’m here with my stepbrother. Seven years ago, we slept together right before he moved away.”

“Taboo…I like it. Go on.”

I laughed. “Okay…well, he was the first and last guy I ever really cared about. I never thought I’d see him again. His father died this week, and he came back for the funeral. He wasn’t alone. He brought a girl he supposedly loves. I know she loves him. She’s a good person. She had to go back to California early. Somehow, I ended up at this casino with him. He leaves tomorrow.”

A single teardrop fell down my face.

“It looks to me like you still care about him.”

“I do.”

“Well, then you have twenty-four hours.”

“No, I don’t plan to screw things up for him.”