Bluffing the Devil

chapter 15



We looked at all of the usual places for Carly, but couldn't find her.

"Well, we tried, babe. Don't feel bad. Maybe she got wrapped up in something. She knows where we are going since she picked it, so maybe she's going to show up there?" Rhea added.

"Yeah, you're right. Or maybe she thought she missed us and she's there waiting for us now?"

"True, let's just head over, get seated, and then see what happens. Plus, she's a big girl, if she shows up, great. If not, she was busy. No big deal, let's just have some fun and enjoy some great food with our friends," Victoria added.

"You guys know me, I always just worry too much, that's all."

"Of course you do. You're the mother hen," Victoria soothed. "Well, after me. I actually only really mother you though, huh? Everyone else can kiss it." Her giggle carried through the entire group and she put her arm around my waist as we walked.

The restaurant was only three blocks away so we decided to just walk and enjoy the late afternoon weather. Everyone knew of my love of the beach and nearly everywhere in walking distance of our hotel had a lovely view of the ocean. It made me smile that my friends did things purposefully to make me smile.

We reached our destination much quicker than I wanted us to. My nature was to be outside, in the weather, enjoying life and the sun. Being inside, always made me feel cooped up usually. Tonight, I wasn't feeling so claustrophobic for once. Perhaps it was because Devin's hand was in mine, and had been since we walked away from the hotel suite. I wasn't used to being in constant contact with someone, but it truly felt amazing.

The place was on the higher end and we were asked if we had a reservation. Rey told them that we did have a reservation and he gave a name I'd never heard before, and they escorted us to our table.

"What did you say to that guy?" I asked, so curious about the name.

"I used a trigger word. She planted them all over the place in people so that she could command them to do whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted. I remember that guy and the word she used, so I said that was my name and he immediately did as I asked him to." His explanation sounded so simple, but made my mind go a million miles an hour.

"She does that a lot then? Is there a word for you that would suddenly make you in her control?" I asked, truly curious.

"I honestly don't know that. Knowing it wouldn't help me a bit though. She is manipulative, as you know. She could just drop that one word and be in control in an instant. I hope she doesn’t have one, but I wouldn't put it past her."

"I bet that's how some of the strangest shit in the world happens, Lexi. You know, like when you hear about someone, who does something totally out of the ordinary, and just goes ape shit on someone. That's her with her freaking trigger word inciting some bull!" Victoria was about to fume with anger.

"You're probably right, but she's not here right now and the only person that knows about the trigger words is sitting here with us and on our side, so I think we are in good hands for now." The finality of my statement let everyone at the table know I wasn't interested in discussing the Devil or her crap right now. I wanted to enjoy a good meal and relax before the game.

We enjoyed a delicious meal together full of laughs and discussions galore. We learned more about each other and truly just were in the moment. It was a great time.

As we were leaving, Carly walked up looking disoriented and unlike herself.

"Oh, there you are! Late to the party," I said giving her a quick hug. "Are you okay? What have you been up to, lady? We missed you."

"Hey. Nothing." Yeah, she was definitely not herself.

"Do you need to sit down?" I asked as I had already started to direct her to a bench nearby.

"No. I just need…" her voice trailed off, her eyes rolled back, and she passed out.

Rey caught her before she hit the ground. "What the hell was that?"

"I honestly don't know. Does she have a fever?"

"No. She seems almost cold though. Maybe she just caught a chill from the air? It feels a little cool tonight, and almost like it wants to rain. Why was she outside?" Victoria went into mother mode so easily.

"Let's get her back to the hotel and get her warmed up. I'm sure she had a good reason for being out like that. She can tell us all about it later."

Rey pulled her to his chest and started toward the hotel with us all in tow. We reached the hotel quickly. In the lobby, we got a few strange looks.

One of the attendants said, "Every time I see that guy walk through here, he's carrying some chick."

The other guy with him says, "Well, at least he's enjoying his vacation. Maybe if we didn't live here, that would happen to us, too."

"I doubt it dude, have you seen us? We need to hit the gym. That guy is massive," the first guy added.

I couldn't help but chuckle at them. Poor Rey, he was getting quite a reputation for being the knight in shining armor, or looked like the gigolo I have first accused him of being.

We quickly made our way up to the room and got Carly into bed. I didn't take off her cute outfit, just her shoes. Then I put her blankets over her and sat on the edge of the bed watching her for a bit. Her breathing seemed normal and her skin was warming up a bit. I was just going to pray for the best for her.

I stepped out of her room and Devin immediately pulled me to him for a warm hug.

"I hope your friend will be ok, love."

"Thank you, baby, you’re so sweet. I'm sure she's fine, it was just weird, that's all. I have this tendency for things to fall apart when I am near them. Accidents happen, people get hurt. I never want that to flow over onto my friends, but I really do draw bad luck to me."

"That’s nonsense, love. You are a good woman that just runs across bad things. Bad stuff happens to everyone all the time. You just notice because it matters to you and you want better things, and life for those you love. That's all." Devin's reassuring words comforted me. I never wanted to believe I was bad luck, but it really started to seem that way over the years. Maybe he was right. Maybe I just was hyper aware of my surroundings; just another lesson from my super, over-protective father. He always made sure I had a way out of every situation I got into, knew where I was at all times, and could defend myself no matter what. When I was a kid, those lessons threatened to annoy me though I enjoyed them because I got time with my dad. As I got older, I started to realize their importance even more. It was nice to see that those lessons and time wasn't wasted.

"Our game starts in less than an hour. How can I just leave her here like this? I will just call and forfeit my seat," I said, as I stood up to get my phone. Panic had started to set in a bit as I worried for the safety of my friend. Without knowing what was going on, I would feel terrible to leave her.

"No love, you have worked so long and hard to get to this point. You will not forfeit. Go and play. I will stay here with Carly and if anything changes, I will let you know. I'm sure there's a way to get a message to you at the game, right?" As he spoke, I sat back down beside Carly and felt her forehead again, much less clammy and even warmer than before.

"Of course, maybe you could just keep my phone and text Rhea or Victoria if anything changes? That way we have a direct way to call you and vice versa."

"See? It will be fine."

"I'm going to stay here with her until then. If you want, you can go hang out with the guys. I will come out in a bit." I didn't want to get rid of Devin, I loved having him near me, but I felt like I needed to pray and couldn’t do that if I knew he was watching me.

"Whatever you need me to do, love. I will be right out there if you need me." He leaned down, kissed my cheek, squeezed my hand, and left the room.

I heard the door click closed, looked over at my friend, still unconscious and closed my eyes.

"Dear God. I am lucky that you never get sick of hearing Your children speak to you. As You know already, I'm sure, tonight something happened with my friend Carly. I'm scared, God. I don’t want to lose her. Something is wrong. I don't know what it is, but I want her to be safe. I want her to have the strength to get up and live life to the fullest. I want her to be happy and healthy and have all the things she needs, just like I wish for any of my friends. Please protect her, God. Amen."

A tiny sigh left Carly's lips and hope leapt through my chest.

"Babe, are you okay?"

No answer.

"What's that, love?" Devin said bursting into the room a moment later, startling me.

"She made a sound and I was checking to see if she was awake. Goodness, you scared me half to death," I said, still gripping my chest from the scare he gave me when he burst through the door.

"I'm sorry," he chuckled. "I thought I heard your voice. I didn't want to miss an opportunity to be needed.

"Ha! Well, very well done, then. You didn't miss a thing," I said and checked my phone for the time. "Geez, we should probably get going so we can be there on time. Is Rey ready for the game?"

"Yeah, but I think he was a lot like you, didn't really want to go. However, I think his focus is Rhea, not Carly," he added with an eyebrow waggle.

"Well, I did promise him that I would try to find him a date. I guess that takes some work away from me if things work out there," I chuckled.

"You promised to get him a date? What possessed you to do that?"

"He's a nice enough guy just used by you-know-who and I think he needs someone to love him or at least lust after him for a bit so he can realize he's not all bad. He was honest with me about what he was, and even helped me get you out, so that counts for something."

"Yes, very true. I guess I didn't think of it that way. So you equate having me in your life to others deserving favors, huh? What about me? I schlepped my way through space and time to get here with you. What do I get out of the deal?" he asked pulling me to him.

"You had a steak. We are even now," I said and shoved past him to leave the room.

"Man needs more than just a steak, love."

"Maybe later, I have a headache," I joked with him. "Seriously though, tomorrow we can head back home, and I will certainly give you much more than steak."

"Deal! Want to shake on it?" he asked me with hand stretched out to me.

"Sure!" I said as I shook my booty and then trotted away.

"Well, that's a much better shake than I had in mind, thanks love!" he called after me, chuckling.

"Are you two being inappropriate and lovey dovey again?" Rhea asked me as I went past her on the couch.

"Who, us?" I asked pointing back at Devin. "No, never!"

The fit of giggles that elicited should have made me want to throttle people in an epic pillow fight or something, but instead I giggled with them. They were right. It might not be a saint, but sinning sure was fun and giggle-worthy.

I decided to keep my complete outfit on for the tournament. I looked nice, my lucky bracelet was bound to bring me some luck at some point, and I was just feeling too lazy to change into something more comfy. I still grabbed my lucky hoodie on the way out as I kissed Devin and made him pinky-promise to call or text, as soon as anything changed. He vowed it on his freedom, which meant the absolute world to me.

The kiss he gave me as I was leaving made my heart quiver, my toes curl, and my breath traipse off into the night. I asked what made him kiss me that way and he said that he never wanted us to part ways without saying how we felt, or showing it with affection. You truly never know what might happen at any time. He was right to make that a new "rule" or habit for us. It made me even more happy and giggly, that he brought it up instead of me. It seemed like an emotionally awesome thing to do, and for the guy to initiate it that meant something to me.

With that realization came another rude awakening that Devin was turning me into a sweet little girly girl that swooned over everything. I wasn't sure I was going to like that very much. I simply don't "do" being girly.

I walked back through the suite and headed for the front door when Devin pounced on me like a lion and gave me a quick kiss. He grabbed my hand and said, "Good luck. See you in a bit?"

"Thank you!" I was giggling from the sneak-attack kiss. "Yes, I promise! See you in a bit."

I had a horrendous habit of saying things I should not say to Devin. I just broke my biggest rule in life by promising to return. I knew I wanted to and, I mean, he was in a hotel room, what's the worst that could happen? But, still a feeling of dread blazed through my stomach.

He kissed me again, "Sweet. I promise I will be good!" He padded off to watch awful football again as I walked out to chase my dream.