24 Michigan Girl

"Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?" --Proverbs 27:4

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"Don't do it," Eliot said. "I think this guy's got a good hand."

"Quiet," snapped Marlie. "It's not your call. It's hers."

Roselle knew that if she went through with the bet, she wouldn't just lose her bra and shirt, but her dignity. That's what the guy was after, wasn't it? He wanted to humiliate her. Or maybe he was bluffing. She remembered that she'd already spent a great deal of money in this game by having faith in the spirit of the deck, and she wasn't about to back out now.

"Fine," she said. "I'll do it."

Marlie chuckled. He took out all the promised money, and put it into the pot.

It was time for them to reveal their cards, and Roselle couldn't stop sweating. What if she was really going to have to go topless? She tried counting the amount of people in the room. There were at least thirty.

'No matter what happens, I have good boobs,' she repeatedly told herself.

On the table, there were five cards; two kings, two aces, and a three. Marlie put down his cards. He had a king and a seven. "King full of aces," he said, smirking. "Can your spirit of the deck beat that?"

The room gasped. Eliot looked as though he was going to pull his hair out, and Antonio looked away. Armani was still looking at her confidently, nodding at her, and even though the rest of the room didn't believe in her, his confidence reassured her.

She put down her cards, not daring to open her eyes. All she heard was the room say, "ooo." When she opened them, she had an ace and a jack.

Roselle looked at the community cards, then back at her own. "Aces full of kings," she said. She hung her head. "I-- I lost." She slowly unbuttoned the first button of her shirt.

"Wait a minute, Ro," Armani said.

Now, the second button.

"Um, Ms. Reyes?" Antonio joined.

The third button . . .

"DAMMIT RO, PUT YOUR TITTIES AWAY!" Eliot exclaimed. "Aces full of kings? That's the best full house in the game. You won!"

"I won?" Roselle quickly buttoned her shirt back up. "I won!" She grabbed the pot and dragged all the money to her side. "WOO!"

Armani, Antonio, and Eliot all cheered, congratulating her.

"No," said Marlie. "That was too much of a coincidence. You must have been cheating while you were doing the shuffle."

"Dude. You literally picked her because you knew she was a noob," said Eliot Now you're saying she cheated?"

Armani stood in front of the group. "The only cheater around here is you, Marlie."

Marlie got up and snapped his fingers. Some buff guys from all around the room got up and glared at them, crossing their arms. "You're outmatched. Give me back the money."

Without flinching or skipping a beat, Armani made a call to the outside. "Come in, guys." A bunch of guys in casual clothes came in, now crossing their arms as well. "My secret service agents in disguise," he said.

"Screw it. Come in guys," Antonio made a call on his walkie-talkie, and other people in the room, along with people outside the room, joined the secret service guys as well. "Eliot Scott's personal bodyguards."

"What the--why are they here?" asked Eliot.

Antonio sighed. "I told your Grandma where you were."

"You told her WHAT? Snitch."

"She's actually the reason why I'm here," said Armani. He faced back at Marlie. "As you can see, YOU'RE the one who's outnumbered. We're leaving."

The group of secret service men and security guards all headed out with Roselle, Eliot, and Armani.

"I'll remember you," said Marlie, eyeing Roselle.

She gulped, then walked out of the room.

* * *

Roselle knocked on her apartment door, and Michelle answered it.

"Where were you?" asked her sister. "Why weren't you answering any of my texts? Did you get everything on the Christmas list?"

"Uhh, long story, but I lost my wallet."

She blinked. "WHAT?"

"Don't worry. I found Eliot, we went gambling, and we made money. The evil poker guy tried to scam us, but I believed in the spirit of the deck, and heyo, now we're rich." She pulled out a large wad of cash.

Michelle practically had dollar signs in her eyes. "Woah . . ."

"Now, if you don't mind, can we throw a party?"

"YOU wanna throw a party?"

"I guess you could say I'm feeling a little spontaneous. Plus, I owe these guys." She pointed to her left.

Michelle peaked her head out the door, and in the hall were a bunch of secret service men and bodyguards. "I'm still a little foggy on what happened, but who cares. Party time!"

* * *

The Reyes sisters used the money to buy pizza and beer for everyone. Music was blasting on the TV, and there was a lot of dancing. Michelle also apparently had strobe lights, so that also added to the vibe. Even Roselle was dancing, drinking, and letting loose.

She spotted someone with a wave of blond locks head outside alone on the balcony, and she went out to follow him.

"Hey, Armani," said Roselle. "Why are you all by yourself?"

"I'm just thinking about stuff."

"What kind of stuff?"

"Seeing Marlie today reminded me of who I used to be . . . The things I did before I was elected president." He looked out into the capital, which illuminated its city lights. "It was hard being reminded of that again."

She rested her arms on the balcony walls and stared at the city with him. "I don't know what to say. I'm sorry."

"Honestly, the only reason I came tonight was because Grandma Scott told me you were in trouble."

"Well, thank you for saving me then."

"I didn't save you. You saved yourself." He chuckled. "Though, I can't believe you pulled a move like that. I was impressed that you were brave enough to do it."

She smiled. "A six-year-old Armani Parker once said that you have to believe in the spirit of the deck."

"I still can't believe you put so much faith in the advice of a six-year-old."

"It wasn't just any six-year-old. It was you."

They gazed into each other's eyes for a long time, the glow of the city being evermore beautiful and radiant. The moment was almost perfect.

A secret service guy walked on the balcony. "Uhh, Armani? Lily is here."

Too bad it was ruined.

"Oh, right," he said, snapping out of his gaze. "Excuse me."

* * *

Armani and Roselle greeted Lily at the door, and steam was practically seeping out of her scalp. Her foot was tapping rapidly on the floor, and her arms were crossed. "What the hell?" she asked. "What happened to you."

The future president sighed. "Well, Roselle was in trouble and--"

"In trouble how? She needed help putting up her party decorations and getting pizza? You're unbelievable."

"It's true," Roselle said. "I was at this guy's house, and he was scamming me. He was pretty dangerous."

Lily rolled her eyes. "Okay, so if this guy was so dangerous, why didn't you tell me you were going there?"

Armani took a deep breath. "I didn't want to get you involved."

"You're such a liar, you know that? How can I even trust you?"

"How can YOU trust HIM? You're the one that cheated on him," Roselle said.

Everyone in the room gradually stopped dancing to spectate the couple.

Lily scowled. "You know what, Michigan girl? This is MY relationship, and that's none of your business. I know you think you're hot stuff, but really, you're just some irrelevant chick who came out of nowhere."

"Is that why you're so jealous of me?"

The music was completely out at this point. Lily looked around frantically at all the people who were staring at her. Her eyes were glossy and her lip quivered. With a loud sob, she stormed out of the room.

Armani hung his head. "I should probably go after her."

Roselle smoothed her hand over her forearm. "Uhh, yeah."

"Lily, wait." He ran out after her.

All the people in the room just stared at Roselle in awe, staying completely still, not saying anything. She covered her face and walked away.

"Uhh, let's just turn the music back on," said Michelle.

The music played again. It wasn't as lively as before though, but the party guests sure did try.

Roselle sank onto the kitchen floor, putting her head in her hands. Well, that could have gone better. Ding. She got a text.

Grandma Scott: Antonio told me what just happened, dear. You're doing so well.

Roselle: It doesn't feel like it. It's like no matter how horrible she is, Armani keeps going after her. I wasn't even trying to break them up, but she's got to go. She's awful.

Grandma Scott: I guess we'll just have to push things further then.