A Betting Man

Chapter Three

Justin's Point of View

My phone beeps once... twice... a third time. What the hell? I groan and roll over, bumping into a warm body as I do - the woman stirs in her sleep but does not wake.

It takes me a moment to remember where I am. The covers smell different - like perfume - and there's too much sunlight streaming through the window. My room is never this bright. I look over and all I can see is a mass of tangled red hair and smooth, pale skin.

It comes back to me. The redhead - what's her name? Ella, Emma, Eva....fuck, I can't remember. I know it starts with a "E." Christ, I need to get out of here.

I slip from the sheets as stealthily as possible and begin to dress. The redhead doesn't stir - she's out cold.

My phone is in my pocket - I want to check my messages, to see who is texting me so early, but my conscious is screaming at me to get the hell out as quickly as possible and do that later. I never argue with my conscious.

Once I'm outside, in the damp Seattle air, I let out a huge breath. I feel like I can breathe again. I quickly realize I have no idea where I am - outside of several tall apartment complexes - but I walk, deciding to figure out my location and call a cab when I'm a safe distance away. The last thing I need is for redhead to poke her head out the window and catch me trying to escape.

As I walk, I check my messages. The first is from Addie, and I grin - she's texted me her address. Nothing else. No "I can't wait for tomorrow" or "I'm looking forward to it." Not even a signature.

That's fine, I muse. Nolan said she'd be a toughy. But if there's one thing I know about women, it's that they're all the same - work them for a bit, feed them a little bullshit, and they'll be eating out of your hand in no time. Apparently, Nolan had a problem with this girl, which was a shame because he'd supposedly been desperate to bed her. He claimed she wore a fucking chastity belt or something. But I gotta admit - any girl who rejects Nolan is cool with me.

I have messages from two different girls, both sent last night, inquiring of my whereabouts. Then the last three, sent in consecutive increments, were from Nolan.

You fuck her yet? - N

Dude, don't ignore me just cause I was right - N

Pay up - N

Christ, that fucker is God damn annoying. I don't respond right away, and before I get around the corner he's texted me again.

I see how it is. - N

I text him back.

Would you get off my back? We never said it had to be last night. - J

What's your strategy? - N

That's none of your concern - J

Well I hope it's good dude. Good luck - your gonna need it for this chick - N

I sigh in annoyance and debate answering, finally realizing it isn't worth my time. I call a cab from the corner and return the phone to my pocket.

---

I pull up at the address Addie gave me at six fifty-five. It's an apartment complex in the middle-class side of town, nice but not extravagant. The landscaping is well kept and the exterior is clean. I park, expecting to go up and meet her, but before I cut my engine I see her suddenly stand from where she was sitting on the curb, in front of the entrance.

She's wearing a tight, pale-blue dress with white heels and a white purse. Her hair is down and wavy, falling to nearly the middle of her back. I get out of the car and she smiles when she sees me, her face flushing a lovely pink as she lowers her eyes to the ground.