Time To Face Things Head On

chapter 21

Fly on the wall POV  
The guys sat around the round table snug on Mickey's office swapping stories as they played poker. 

Claude kept glancing at Zussman like he was a shifty watch salesman 

"Got something on your mind Claude?" Zussman asked, raising his eyebrows at him. 

"You just shut the hell up" Claude muttered. 

"I planned on it, just don't go thinking Gerty is a fall back for when your affairs blow up in your face" Zussman replied

"They shouldn't as long as you don't say a damn thing to Gerty or Winona" Claude mumbled 

"Everyone saw you with that other gal, safe to say Winona knows" Mickey answered " so let's all just enjoy a night of cards and not talk about my sisters" he added 

"Might have to, Stiles here isnt even among us" Aiello pointed out " look at him staring at his cards with an empty look but that mind is full." He chuckled

 Stiles eyes would dart from his cards then slowly drag toward the window. All eyes waiting on him to either fold or bet up.

"Maybe I should up the ante and have Judy sit behind him" Mickey teased 

Stiles eyes lit up at Judy's name and his eyes darted around the table "um, I fold" he sheepishly whispered

 "Not even gonna wait till the flop?" Pierson asked, throwing a chip to the middle of the table 

"Nah, low cards never get very far any ways and they weren't even suited up" he mumbled 

Daniels dealt the flop and Stiles' eyes widened as three twos were placed in the middle of the table. 

"I guess I was wrong," he mumbled, pushing his glasses up. 

"Still anyone's game though still got that river to chase" Daniel's smiled 

Everyone checked around the table each round waiting to see what other cards would appear. As the last card was placed revealing a Jack of hearts Aiello covered his mouth pondering his cards while everyone checked. 

"I'll raise five cents." He said putting a chip in the pile

"That's enough for me to fold" Mickey answered

" I'm out" bailed Pierson. 

"Come one five cents isn't even  a mortgage" Aiello smirked 

"But it's enough for us to know we ain't gonna like your cards" Daniel replied putting his cards onto Zussmans and Claude's as they both followed suit. 

All that remained was Paul. He stared into Aiello's eyes, raising it to ten cents as his cheek still glowed a faint red but Lydia's hand 

He narrowed his eyes and unlocked his gritted jaw "You're bluffing." 

Aiello matched the raise "why don't we find out then."

Paul cocked his head to the side laying down his cards a four of hearts and a six of spades neither of which matched the cards on the river 

"You didn't have shit and you called me out?" Aiello chuckled as he laid down an ace of diamonds and a Jack of spades

"You weren't bluffing" Paul realized. "You're an asshole to the core and you weren't bluffing?" He started to shout 

"Was I supposed to bluff?" Aiello asked glaring at Paul

"Yeah you were because it's in your nature" paul huffed 

"What's your problem?" Aiello finally snapped

"My problem? You're my problem, you're supposed to be a liar I mean it's bad enough your a thief" He barked