The Big Blind (Nadia Wolf) Read Free Page B

air-conditioned casino. Comfortable clothes were going to be the fashion-of-the-day and the remaining days of the tournament. If I get past today . My stomach flip flopped.
     
    “I knew you’d be here,” I said to Roy when I found him at a Texas Hold’em table.
    “You need to sit down and practice.”
    “Okay, but don’t give me advice. You make me crazy with your poker psychology.”
    “You have to learn the psychology behind poker.”
    “I know, but I start doubting myself and then second guessing what the other players are thinking.”
    “You’ll get it,” he said with a pat on my back as I settled next to him. “It takes some people a lifetime to learn it and there are others who instinctively know.”
    “I think sometimes when I’m in the moment I know. Then I start thinking, and it all falls apart.”
    “Nadia?”
    “Yes?” I glimpsed a blonde adult version of Shirley Temple hovering next to me.
    She set a drink down. “Greyson Miller wanted me to deliver this. He wanted to tell you good luck today, but he’s in a meeting right now so he can’t come in person. Don’t worry; it’s a virgin, so there isn’t any alcohol in it. He wanted to make sure you stay sharp.”
    “Thanks,” I said, eyeing the drink suspiciously. “How did he know I was here?”
    “He knows every thing. It can be a nuisance some times,” she replied.
    “Thank you,” I said and turned back to the table. After a few moments, I still felt her presence. My eyes flicked up to her.
    “Oh, I’m sorry. Am I disturbing you?”
    “A little,” I said, trying not to offend her but also needing to concentrate. “Did you need something?”
    “I was just wondering if poker is easy?”
    “Some days yes and some days no. What’s your name?”
    “I’m Mya.”
    “Are you interested in the game?”
    “Yes, but my boyfriend told me I should stick to slots.”
    Roy let a half cocked smile escape. He’s heard me gripe about men who think poker is for men only. He’s seen me twist myself into a snit when they throw chauvinistic comments at me. He just shakes his head and gives me the lecture how seasoned poker players don’t allow their emotions to explode to the surface. They keep it buried deep inside and beat the crap out of a punching bag when they go home. Last Christmas he bought me a standup punching bag. He can’t say I’ve never used it; where else would I hang my clothes?
    “When do you have off?” I asked Mya.
    “I have off tomorrow.”
    “Meet me here at the same time. I’ll give you a lesson.”
    Mya’s blue eyes lit up. “Really?”
    “Sure.”
    She thanked me and bounced away. Her blonde ringlets curled and bounced with her. All male eyes followed her direction.
    “Remember to mind your emotions,” Roy said when he returned his gaze back to the table.
    “Don’t lecture me, Yoda. I didn’t get mad, but I won’t sit back and do nothing either.”
    “So,” Roy said, sliding a sideward glance at me, “what’s with the drink from Greyson Miller?”
    “I, uh, met him a few days ago in the lounge. He was meeting with someone.”
    “How did you meet him if he was in a meeting?”
    I kept quiet and tinkered with a few chips in front of me.
    “Nadia, what did you do?”
    “Nothing.”
    “Don’t give me that crap. You did something, and it was probably highly embarrassing.”
    “I might have spilled a drink, but it wasn’t my fault.”
    “Mmm-hmm. How was it not your fault?” His mouth twitched suppressing the smile I never fail to produce.
    “There was a guy talking trash; my drink might have slipped.”
    “Greyson Miller was talking trash? I don’t believe you. And that’s a waste of alcohol.”
    “I didn’t say Greyson Miller was talking trash. My drink slipped the wrong way and missed the jerk. Greyson caught the full brunt of it. I didn’t even know who he was until employees zoomed in to help clean.”
    Roy peeled with laughter. “I don’t know how anyone could be as accident