Studying his cards, Dee grimaced and tossed them facedown on the table; he’d seldom seen a worse hand.

“Fold,” he said, slumping back in his seat. “Even I can’t bluff well enough to take the pot with what I’ve got. Might as well call it a night, you guys already got most of my money anyway. Should have just enough left to get home, if I take the subway.”

Poker night with some of his old friends had seemed like a great idea when Barry had invited him over, but even though the game had been low stakes, it had been painful watching his buddies rake in his hard-earned wages. They were either way better at poker than they used to be, or he’d lost his touch, unless someone had been cheating, which wouldn’t surprise him. Not that he planned on accusing anybody, not without solid proof; he’d never get another invite if he did that, and besides, he wasn’t about to burn bridges with the guys he’d grown up with, not over a few lousy bucks.

“Sure you won’t stay for another hand?” Tommy asked. “I could loan you some of my winnings.”

“I appreciate the offer, but the way I’m playin’ tonight, I’d just wind up even deeper in the hole. Must be rustier than I thought.” He grinned to show there were no hard feelings. “Gettin’ late so I reckon I’ll just head home. Gotta be up early in the mornin’, I’m workin’ first shift this week.”

“It was good seein’ ya,” Barry said, getting up and dragging Dee into a hug, slapping him on the back. “Don’t hardly see ya now you’re a bigshot detective. You oughta hang out with us more often, maybe drag your partner and some of your work buddies along.”

“What, so ya can fleece them too?” Laughing, Dee aimed a playful punch at his friend’s shoulder, which Barry easily sidestepped. “No promises, but I’ll try,” he added. It really had been good shooting the breeze with the guys. “No drinkin’ and drivin’, okay?” He grinned around at the others, trading high fives and fist bumps as he hooked his jacket off the back of his chair one-handed. “I’d hate to see any of you dumbasses gettin’ arrested. Wouldn’t look good if anyone found out I was associatin’ with known criminals.”

“Up yours,” Jake scoffed. “I remember a time when you were voted most likely to wind up behind bars.”

Dee snorted. “Yeah, when I was twelve, but I grew up, what’s your excuse?”

He made his exit amid laughter and teasing.

OoOoO

Ryo smiled and set his book aside as Dee entered their bedroom. “Hey. How was your evening?”

“Okay, I guess. It was good catchin’ up with the guys, but I couldn’t win for losin’, so now I’m flat broke. Might have to throw myself on your mercy.” Dee shed his clothes, dumping them on top of the laundry hamper to be sorted whenever he got around to it, and crawled up the bed.

“You know what they say, lucky in cards, unlucky in love,” Ryo reminded him.

A slow smile spread across Dee’s face. “Don’t think I ever really understood that sayin’ until now.” He leaned in for a kiss. “No wonder I lost tonight, ‘cause I sure as hell hit the jackpot with you. Love you babe.”


The End