Hailey nods. “They’re playing for twenty-four hours straight. Whoever has the most chips at the end wins.”
“How is that going to work? Don’t you need potty breaks?” My eyes widen when an idea hits me. “Tell me you’re not wearing adult diapers!”
The ruckus in the bar dies down and heads swivel to gawk at us. The uncles lift their heads from their cards and glower at the crowd. Holy moly! I think I’d need adult diapers if they looked at me like that.
“We are not wearing diapers,” Lenny insists.
“We get a five-minute break every ninety minutes,” Sid explains.
Pops walks over and slams a round of beers on the table. “This is complete bullshit. If I’m not playing, then this entire circus is null and void.”
Barney snickers. “It’s not our fault you wouldn’t close the bar for Phoebe.”
Pops ignores his remark. “Besides, this poker tournament has nothing to do with Phoebe. How does winning a poker tournament mean you care about her and earn you the right to walk you down the aisle?”
Phoebe practically melts into his side at his words. He wraps an arm around her and pulls her close before kissing her hair. “Don’t pay any attention to these old cronies, darling. You choose who you want to choose. Even if it isn’t one of us.”
“Not one of us?” Lenny grumbles. “Who saved her from her ex?”
“I did,” Ryker declares as he joins us. He glares at Pops until he unhands Phoebe and urges her toward Ryker who immediately claims her with an arm around her shoulders and a kiss on her temple. For good measure, he scowls at the men in the room. I’m surprised he doesn’t growl mine at everyone.
Pops chuckles. “I need to get back behind the bar. Walk with me, Shorty.”
“What’s up, boss man?” I ask as I start walking behind the bar. He grasps my shoulder and guides me toward the kitchen.
“I wanted to check on you.”
“Check on me?” I point to myself. “Why?”
He crosses his arms over his chest and leans against the counter. “Don’t play innocent with me. I know Hailey and Phoebe being engaged can’t be easy for you.”
“I am not talking about my ex,” I hiss. We were engaged for like a minute. I can handle my friends being engaged, no problem. “Besides, I’m over it,” I claim.
Pops snorts. “Sure, you’re so over it, you won’t give another man a chance.”
What is this? National badger Suzie on her dating habits day? I’d prefer flowers and chocolate to be honest, and I don’t think much of flowers. Why give someone a gift that is going to die? I don’t get it.
I shrug and feign nonchalance. “Maybe the right guy hasn’t come along is all.”
“Darling, the right man is in front of your face.”
Ugh. Not this again. “I’m done here.” I stomp off half expecting Pops to come after me, but he lets me go.
I walk over to Phoebe and Hailey who are gathered around a high table near the bar with their men. There’s a full stout beer sitting on the table with my name on it. I nab it and chug half of it. Ah, I needed that.
“Hey! You took my beer,” Hailey says.
I merely point to the beer she’s holding.
“It could have been my beer,” she pouts.
I ignore her when I see Grayson walk into the bar. I wave him over.
“You made it!” I shout and raise my hand to high-five him. He stares at my hand for a moment before grunting and slapping it. “Yes!”
“I’m only here because I couldn’t stand getting another fifty texts per hour from you.”
I roll my eyes. “Please. No one can type fast enough to send fifty texts an hour on those tiny ass keyboards.”