In The Dark

My jaw drops open. I’ve heard rumors about this gambling house around campus and I’ve only been here a week. I had no idea Gabe and his friends were behind it all. That’s crazy. “Isn’t that risky?”

  “Yeah, but wouldn’t life be boring without a few risks involved?” He grins and taps his finger on the tip of my nose. “You should come over sometime and check it out.”

  “To your place? Um, how often are you open for business?” Okay, that just sounded weird. He’s running an illegal business in his house. Who does that?

  Oh, I know. Gabriel Walker does.

  “Only a few days. Wednesday through Saturday, though eventually if business picks up again, we’ll reopen on Sunday too.”

  “That probably keeps you extremely busy.” Do his parents know what he does? I can’t imagine those stuffy, beautiful people approving of their only son participating in illegal gambling. Couldn’t he go to jail for something like this? Does his sister know? I bet Sydney would shit if she found out.

  “It kept us from being bored these last three years,” he says easily. “Do you play?”

  “Like poker?” When he nods I shake my head. “I had a blackjack app on the first smart phone I ever owned though.”

  Gabe laughs, the sound making me smile. I love it when he laughs. “I can teach you how to play poker. It’s pretty easy.”

  “Are you trying to entice me to come over to your house?” I tease.

  “If I wanted to entice you, I wouldn’t mention teaching you how to play poker.” His voice lowers and I swear my face is going to catch fire it’s so hot. “I know exactly what you like, Lucy. Or did you think I already forgot?”

  Oh. God. My legs are wobbly and I’m thankful I’m sitting down. I didn’t expect him to play dirty straight out the gate. “Um…”

  Professor Bailey chooses that precise moment to enter the classroom and I’m so thankful I slump back in my seat, breathing out a sigh of relief. Thank goodness I don’t have to carry on with that uncomfortable conversation.

  I mean, I don’t mind talking about sex with Gabe, but I can’t do it in a huge classroom surrounded by tons of people.

  “You should come over tonight,” Gabe whispers out of the side of his mouth as the professor starts to drone on about the basics of marketing.

  “To your house?”

  He nods, not bothering to look my way. “I can invite Shep and Jade over if you want to meet them officially. I’m sure Jade will love you. I think she’s tired of being the lone female when we all hang out together.”

  Would she really love me? Wasn’t she trying to set Gabe up with her best friend only a few days ago? Guess I ruined that. Jade might view me as the enemy.

  “Um, I’d like that, if you think they won’t mind.” It’s nice that he wants to bring me around his friends. How much did he tell them about me? Do they think I’m some rich, spoiled bitch? God, I hope not. Keeping up with the lies is no fun. I seriously need to tell him the truth and soon. “They seemed nice.”

  “Of course, they won’t mind. And they’re great. I know you’ll all get along,” Gabe reassures me a little too loudly, and Professor Bailey pauses in his lecture, his gaze zeroing in on the two of us sitting in the top row.

  “Am I disturbing your conversation?” he calls from his post way down below.

  “No sir,” Gabe says, flashing that trademark grin.

  I swear I just heard every single female in the room sigh at first sight of it.

  And when he turns that devastating grin on me, I completely understand how they feel.

  The moment I arrive at his house, he gives me a tour, starting with the large front porch and the couch that sits on it, just below the window that faces the street.

  “It used to be my mother’s,” he explains with a sly smile. “If she knew it sat outside year round she’d flip the hell out.”

  I think he likes tormenting his parents, even if it’s secretly.

  His house is huge, and the giant living area looks like a mini casino. Card tables are scattered everywhere, and there’s even a roulette table. “This looks like Las Vegas, the modified version,” I tell him as I look around in awe. Not that I’d ever been to Vegas, but I’d seen enough in the movies and on TV to get the idea.

  “I know it’s nothing fancy but it works. Most of the people who come in here don’t care about how it looks. They just want to win big money.” He pauses, turning around to face me. “So. Do you like it?” he asks anxiously, sounding…nervous.

  And I’ve rarely heard Gabe sound nervous. Nothing ever seems to faze him.

  With the exception of…me. Oh, and his family seemed to put him on edge. Sydney had mentioned to me more than once that they always put undo pressure on her big brother.

  “I do like it.” I meet his gaze. “Even if you are running an illegal business full of gambling schemes out of your house, who am I to judge?”

  He pretends to take offense, resting his hand on his chest and everything. “Hey, I’ll have you know we run a legit business here. There are no schemes allowed.”

  I roll my eyes. “Right. Except for the fact that what you’re doing is illegal in the state of California.”

  Gabe drops his hand. “I could probably get away with it better in Nevada,” he mutters, shaking his head.

  “You probably could,” I agree. “Plus, think of all the possibilities. You could run a whore house upstairs.”

  His face brightens. “That’s a damn good idea, Luce. Maybe you should go into business with us. Become a fourth partner.”

  Is he for real? “Are you saying you’d hand over the prostitution part to me?”

  “Absolutely. I bet you’d make a fantastic madam.” He nods. “Running the girls, vetting the customers, asking what sort of services they want…”

  Oh. Shit. I think he might be serious. My cheeks are warm just thinking about talking to potential customers and asking them what they prefer sexually. Talk about embarrassing. “Um…”

  “Kidding, Luce.” He socks me lightly in the shoulder. “I had you going for a minute though, huh?”

  Rubbing the spot where he hit me—it really didn’t hurt—I can’t help but feel like a complete dork. “No way. I was kidding too,” I say weakly.

  “Uh huh.” The knowing look in his gaze tells me he doesn’t believe a word I say. Which he shouldn’t. “You thirsty? Hungry? I thought we’d order a pizza once Shep and Jade get here but I have snacks if you want something now.”

  I bet he has snacks. Ones that are totally bad for me yet full of delicious calories. I’ve given up on the hardcore dieting thing because it never works for me, but I do try and watch what I eat. “I’ll just have something to drink,” I say as I follow him into the kitchen.

  He flicks on the light and I glance around, noting the stainless steel appliances and white marble countertops. The kitchen is nice. The entire house is nice—older but it looks like it’s been renovated inside. I wonder how much it cost. I’m sure he bought it, or his parents did. He owns everything yet I rent and scrape and save and pinch every penny I have.

  Wonder what that’s like, to have everything I could ever want, right at my fingertips. I’m supposed to know how that is considering my bogus backstory. But I would really, really love to come clean with him.

  Not tonight though. I just…I can’t bring myself to tell him yet.

  I’m not ready for him hating me because of the lies.

  “What kind of pizza do you like?” He opens the refrigerator double doors and peers inside. “Do you realize that we spent weeks together over the summer and never once ordered a pizza together?”

  There were plenty other wonderful, amazing things we could do together, that’s why. “What the hell is wrong with us?” I ask mockingly.

  He grins as he peeks around the fridge door. “I wonder that myself. Okay, I have water, OJ, Coke, 7-Up, a variety of beer and a bottle of Grey Goose vodka in the freezer. What do you want?”

  “Umm, I’ll have water.” He sends me a
look and I sigh. This is just like when he took me to the burger place and forced that Vanilla Coke on me. I still remember how good it tasted. “Fine, a Coke.”

  He hands me a red can and I look at it, then look up at him. “You don’t have any diet?”

  “Luce,” he starts, his tone a warning.

  “Fine.” I crack open the can and take a sip, the carbonation tickling my tongue and throat as I swallow. “Your kitchen is beautiful.”

  “I had it redone after I bought the house.” He pulls out a beer bottle and closes the refrigerator door.

  “So you own it.”

  “Yeah. Solid investment. I can turn around and sell it, earn all my money back and then some.” He twists the cap off the bottle and takes a swig. I watch him drink, oddly fascinated—and aroused—by the movement of his Adam’s apple as he swallows.

  Shaking my head, I take another sip of my Coke. Clearly I’ve completely lost it if the sight of a man freaking drinking is enough to get my motor going.

  But just about anything Gabe does gets my motor going.

  The doorbell rings and without a word Gabe heads to the living room, leaving me alone in the kitchen. I release a shuddery breath, take a huge gulp of Coke and then run my hands over my hair, trying to smooth it out. I’m nervous about meeting Gabe’s friends. Did he tell them I was their waitress from the other night? Would they recognize me? Are they going to play it off or what? God, I feel so awkward. Like I don’t know what to say, what to do and I glance around the kitchen, trying to calm the panic rapidly rising within me…

  “Luce,” Gabe calls from the living room. “Get out here and meet Shep and Jade.”

  Squaring my shoulders, l leave the kitchen and head into the living room, blinking in surprise when Jade rushes toward me and envelopes me in a warm, fragrant—the girl smells really good—hug. “It’s so wonderful to officially meet you,” she murmurs against my cheek.

  I pull away from her, flustered at her enthusiasm. Gabe and Shep are both watching her like she’s lost her mind. “What?” she asks when they continue to stare. “You’ve never seen me be nice before?”

  “Not really,” Gabe admits slowly.

  Shep bursts out laughing.

  “I’m just thrilled to meet the woman who’s somehow tamed the reigning manwhore on campus,” Jade says haughtily, sending me an approving look. “She must be mighty powerful if she can get you under control, Gabe.”

  My cheeks are hot. This is so embarrassing. Not like I have him under control. I’ve barely let him kiss me since we’ve reunited. Well, I kissed him. But that was really it. We’re not an official couple or anything like that. Not even close.

  “This is Shep,” Gabe says, gesturing toward his friend and I start to take his offered hand but he pulls me into a hug as well.

  They are fairly affectionate people, which is nice. At least they make me feel welcome.

  “Great to meet you beyond The Shack, which by the way is my favorite restaurant,” Shep says as I step away from him. “I’ve known Barb for years.”

  “It’s where he took me on our first date,” Jade adds.

  “Really?” I look at the both of them, the easy way Jade goes to Shep and wraps her arms around his middle, leaning her head on his chest. They are both extremely good looking, what with Jade’s vivid red hair and cute freckles all over her face. Shep’s just flat out golden boy handsome and he knows it. I bet he’s quite the charmer.

  They make the perfect couple.

  “Oh yeah, I know how to impress a woman,” Shep says, making us all laugh.

  “What kind of pizza should we order?” Gabe asks, rubbing his hands together. He flicks his chin in my direction. “You mind calling, Luce?”

  “Not at all,” I say, pulling my phone out of my short’s pocket. “Just tell me what you want and from where and I’ll make the call.”

  His lips curve in the barest smile, his eyes warm as he watches me while Shep and Jade discuss what toppings they want on the pizza. Heat curls inside my belly at the intimate way he’s looking at me and I can’t help but wish the evening would progress quickly.

  So I can eventually be with Gabe alone.

  I keep checking my phone. I know it’s rude as fuck but I don’t really care. I want Lucy all to myself. I really want Jade and Shep the hell out of here and they still haven’t left. In fact, Shep just cracked open another beer and Jade and Lucy are sitting close together on the couch, in deep conversation across the room.

  Seeing them like that makes me nervous. What the hell could they be talking about? Me?

  Shit. I don’t even want to know what Jade’s saying. Or Lucy. What if she told Jade about my epic fail moment in the hot tub? Lucy has every right to give me endless shit over how I fell asleep on her mid-kiss.

  The constant struggle between us in the beginning wasn’t much fun either. In fact, this thing with Lucy hasn’t been easy from the very start. My normal self would’ve given up on her months ago and found someone easier.

  There are plenty of girls out there who are easier. But not a one of them has ever made me feel like Lucy does.

  “Think they’re talking about me?” I ask Shep when he approaches, stopping to stand next to me. I’d just tossed the empty pizza boxes in the trash outside when I found Shep in the kitchen in search of more beer.

  “The world doesn’t revolve around you, Gabriel,” he says dryly, then pauses. “’But I’d bet money they’re talking about you.”

  “Shit,” I mutter, taking the bottle from Shep when he offers it and polishing it off in one long swallow. He glares when I hand him back his empty beer. “Thanks.”

  “Jade likes you so I wouldn’t sweat it,” Shep says casually but I’m still wary. She could be offering up all sorts of stories to Lucy about my various interactions with women. She’s seen me in action—only for a short period of time but enough to do some damage. Plus, I have no idea what Shep’s told Jade about me either. And he knows all of my dirty little secrets.

  “Girls like to talk,” Shep continues. “I think you’re worrying over nothing.” I send him a look and he shrugs. “You want us out of your hair? So you can get your girl alone?”

  “Yeah.” I offer a short nod. Shep gets it. I feel like he’s gotten it from the moment I came back to Santa Augustina and he realized something was up with me. And I was a complete shit to him when he and Jade were getting together. “I gave you endless grief when you and Jade first started seeing each other.”

  “I know,” Shep drawls.

  “Yeah, and that sucked, man. I’m uh, I’m sorry.” I’ve never been very good at apologies and my stumbling over the words shows it.

  “It’s all good, man.” He studies the two women who are now laughing together. The sound literally lifts my heart and I tell myself to get a grip. Who knew I could become such a sap in such a short amount of time? “You understand now, I’m guessing.”

  “I get it,” I say, my voice soft, my body going tight when Lucy lifts her head, her gaze meeting mine. Something passes between us in that moment, an unspoken message and the sweet smile she offers me makes my chest expand.

  Damn it. This girl is twisting me up inside and there’s nothing I can do about it. Not like I want to stop what’s happening between us but I feel like I’m in free fall and there’s no net to catch me. I just keep tumbling head over feet, not sure where I’m going to land.

  Wondering if Lucy is the one who’s going to catch me.

  “Jade baby, we need to go,” Shep calls. He doesn’t bother hiding the affection in his voice. This new, softer side of Shep used to scare the crap out of me. It meant he was changing and I hate change. We’ve had it good for the past three years. I didn’t understand why he wanted to do something different. It made no sense.

  But now I’m beginning to understand. When the right girl comes into your life, you just can’t let her go. You have to work your damnedest to keep her. Prove to her that you’re worthy.

  That Lucy is still here after
every stupid thing I’ve done, I must be proving something to her.

  Jade walks toward where Shep and I are standing, Lucy accompanying her. Jade gives me a hug, whispering darkly in my ear, “You better not fuck this up, Walker,” before she lets me go.

  Then she turns to Lucy and hugs her tight. “I had fun tonight. Please don’t ruin this, Gabe. I like having another female I can hang out with. And I don’t like it that Shep’s the only attached one out of the three of you. You and Tristan are a bad influence.”

  “You’re calling me a bad influence?” The three of us together have always been bad influences on each other. I can’t deny that. But Shep’s been on his best behavior since he’s found Jade and I haven’t been tempted to do shit since I met Lucy.

  “Not any longer.” The smile Jade flashes me is full of approval. “Treat her right. She’s a keeper.”

  “I know,” I say seriously, causing Lucy to look over at me with surprise. “But thanks for confirming my suspicions.”

  Lucy remains quiet as we send Jade and Shep on their way, though she hugs them both. The moment the door shuts she bustles into the kitchen, gathering up the various bottles and soda cans still scattered on the table and counter. “Do you have a recyclable bin?” she asks, her hands full.

  “When you open the door to the garage, you’ll see it on the right,” I tell her.

  She takes off before I can say anything else and I clean up the rest of the kitchen, not that there was much left. We’d tossed all of the paper plates and garbage into the pizza boxes. I contemplate grabbing another beer but decide I want to keep my head relatively clear tonight.

  The moment Lucy reenters the kitchen I notice she won’t look at me and I don’t like it. What happened? Did Jade something? Hell, did I say something? “Are you mad?”

  She comes to a stop, her gaze finally lifting to meet mine. “No. Why would I be mad?”

  “Did Jade say anything? Tell some awful story involving me and a girl? Because I can’t lie, I wasn’t a saint before I met you. I messed around. I met a lot of girls. I fully embraced college life.” I pause, wondering how far I should go with this confession. “But I haven’t been tempted by any other girl since I met you, Lucy. And that’s the God’s honest truth.”