Bluffing the Devil

chapter 13



I used to hate sleeping. I would see other people doing it and feel so much better, but sleep never did much for me. Then, Devin entered my dreams and made them delicious and peaceful, I didn't want to be awake anymore. Since I could be with him by just closing my eyes and imagining myself there, it was becoming more confusing if I were truly awake or asleep anymore.

I woke up after the amazing evening with Devin, feeling like a new woman. My body was warm and relaxed, I felt peaceful and happy, and I was sure I didn't want to get out of bed.

Wait, I'm in a bed? How did that happen? I came to Devin from the beach, how am I in a bed? And what is so warm against me?

My eyes snapped open quickly and immediately watered at the sight next to me. Devin. We weren't in his room we were in mine at the hotel suite. He was with me. Thank you, God for blessing me! Prayer works! YES!

He was still asleep and I didn't want to wake him, so I wiggled slightly to move myself away from his side. We had slept in the same snuggle position all night. No wonder I woke up so warm.

I took a quick shower and brushed my hair and teeth, to make myself look presentable. The last place I remember physically being was the beach and sand travels, no matter where your mind has gone, your body will still collect the sand.

I came out of the bathroom and looked over at Devin. He was still sleeping so beautifully. I wanted to skip or dance or sing or something. Then reality hit me.

How was I supposed to explain Devin and his presence? My friends were rabid supporters and always had my back, but they know how anti-man-and-relationships I am. I'm sure this would look strange.

Too bad! They will have to suck it up. I am happy right now, and God granted me this person to be in my life. I wasn't about to feel bad about it or feel that I did something wrong. They would accept anyone I did and support me no matter what. Right?

I stepped out of room and my day immediately shifted into what I knew was going to be a stressful day at best. I assumed the day would be strange trying to explain Devin's presence, but I certainly hadn't planned to walk into Bitches Gone Psycho in my living room.

Rey was tied to a chair in the middle of the living room. Rhea, Victoria, and Carly had laser vision going on as Rey sat there calmly. If his hands were free, I could imagine the look on his face to go with him checking out his cuticles, and asking if anyone wanted to go out for coffee. So non-chalant in what looked like a compromising position.

"Uh, hey chickies. Did I miss a party or what?"

"What the HELL, Alexia!?" Rhea nearly screeched. "You had us worried sick! Okay, besides the fact that I woke up in your room on the floor and you were missing, then the creeper, poker, douchebag shows up here with you all passed out in his arms, I mean, something is definitely going on here and we are not listening to him!" She pointed to the duct tape covering his mouth. Where did she get duct tape? I don't think I want to know…

"Untie him, guys. Seriously, I can't leave you guys alone for a second."

"You have to be joking with me right now, Lexi! The dude walks up to the door with your unconscious body and you think, for even a second, that I was going to be okay with that?" Victoria shouted so loud the room felt smaller, and instantly got warmer.

"Okay, if I was unconscious, how the hell was I to know who was walking up or not walking up with me? Would you rather he left me somewhere? Think about it. He knew where to bring me and I was safe. Did you listen to him, or go all crazy bitch on him, before he could get a work in edgewise?" I was keeping a calm exterior. All of my poker training was being syphoned into this conversation, and I was going to get Rey out of there and in one piece. If I stayed calm eventually it would have to rub off on everyone else. It always worked.

"No you didn't just ask me if I let some man explain something to me. Hell no, I didn't let him explain!" Victoria's fury was rolling off in waves and she said "man" as if it were a swear word. "Can we please just cut, stab, or maim something on him? Itchy trigger finger, you know? Rhea's not the only one that likes to shoot shit! Plus, he's too pretty to leave like this!" Victoria pleaded. The glimmer in her eyes was truly frightening.

"Since when did you become the bloodthirsty 'Vixen of Violence'?" I asked, truly surprised. I knew she was trained in combat, like I was. She had a high profile job and was the most valuable member of her bomb squad team, but usually tended to be more reserved unless someone instigated something.

"Since always, I’m glad you finally noticed. More so, since I heard my best friend was willing to jump into Hell for love. I'm sorry but I just will not let anything bad happen to you, Lexi. I promised! Plus, this guy gives me the creeps, he’s hiding something, and I will cut it out of him if I have to!" she seethed as she inched closer to her soon-to-be-victim.

"You prom….? Geez! Ok, Vic. I feel the love and protection. Thank you. I don’t think we need to maim him though. In fact, I have another idea for our guest."

Onyx eyes flashed with fear and panic as I drew closer. I snatched scissors off of the kitchen counter and cut the rope holding him to the chair. He didn't move a muscle, and kept his eyes firmly on Victoria. Smart.

I snatched the duct tape off of his mouth, and heard him curse under his breath as I smiled.

Victoria's eyes were nearly wild at this point, "What the hell are you doing? You're on his side? Someone please tell me what’s going on!"

"Do you want real talk, or bullshit sugarcoating? Think long and hard about it," I asked honestly.

"Is he your lover or something?" Carly asked. I had almost forgotten she was in the room. She was standing by the balcony door with her arms crossed in front of herself, looking almost frightened.

"Ha! Oh my God, no, he's not my lover. What makes you think or say something like that?"

"He showed up with you sleeping in his arms. It was just a question, we are all curious to know what's going on, that's all."

"Okay, turn your brains off for a second from speculating, thinking detestable things, or whatever. Just stop it right now," I ordered my flock. They were truly acting like a murder of crows, just waiting for the perfect time to strike. It was scary, the gleam in their eyes. At least at this very moment, I knew for certain that they had my back and I was loved. Let's see how they feel after I spilled the beans.

"You guys have seen Rey and I exchange words many times. He's always flirty and creepy and in my face, I get that. He and I went out last night for coffee, to talk, and to smooth things over between us. We have a lot of common interests and the time was really well spent. He's firmly in the Bro-zone now, so no more beating him up, threatening to kill him, or anything else like that, okay? He's one of us now."

"He's what!? You can't just expect us to accept that lame shit? What common interests can you possibly have with this a*shole besides poker? Surely you didn't have some middle-of-the-night rendezvous to speak about betting and weak raises." Rhea was trying to remain calm. I could see it on her face that she wanted to shoot Rey, but she was trying for me.

"Are you okay out here, love? I heard shouting." Oh great, Devin's appearance wasn't going to make anything any easier. Nice timing, baby.

A collective gasp washed across the suite when everyone saw Devin.

"Oh my! You did it!" Rey said and grabbed me up in a bear hug.

"I don't know what I did, but it seems so! Yes!" I said and hugged Rey back, suddenly realizing that everyone else in the room was confused about everything going on, and we had a lot of explaining to do.

"Coffee?" I simply asked Rey and he headed off to the kitchen to get that going.

"I will fetch the pastries, it seems like this is going to take a minute," Carly offered and padded after Rey to the kitchen.

I walked up to Devin, took his hand, and led him to the couch. I kissed him sweetly on the cheek, which got a few more shocked sounds from the other side of the room where both Rhea and Victoria were standing with looks mixed between confusion and rage on their beautiful faces.

Carly walked in and placed the container of sinfully delicious pastries on the table and Rey followed in a few minutes later with coffee, mugs, and the fixings.

"Carly helped me find things in there. I fear I didn't remember where anything was since I made breakfast yesterday," he said with a slight chuckle.

"Yeah, we cleaned up the rest of your mess, a*shole," Rhea seethed.

"Though, it wasn't much of a mess. I'm shocked a guy left it," Victoria said, almost sounding approving.

"Okay guys, here's the deal…" and I went into explaining Rey, Devin, God, the Devil, and everything in between.