Text Appeal

by Lexi Ryan

  “Maybe Chaz would offer a shoulder to cry on. God knows he has the most to gain from this bullshit.”

  Riley squeezed her eyes shut and thirty seconds later the front door slammed.

  ***

  Charlie wanted to lose himself in a bottle of bourbon, but he couldn’t do that. Not when he had a tournament that began tomorrow. And not when there was someone he owed an apology.

  Tony stood in his driveway, throwing a basketball into a rusty old hoop attached over the garage. He had a smooth rhythm. Bounce. Bounce. Shoot. Swish. Bounce. Bounce. Shoot. Swish.

  “You’re not bad at that,” Charlie said after Tony made his fifth consecutive basket.

  Tony turned to him, eyes wide. He tossed the ball, starting to walk away.

  “It’s Tony, isn’t it?” Charlie asked, snatching the ball from the air.

  Tony narrowed his eyes. “So what?”

  Charlie shrugged. “My old man was never around.” He eyed the basket, bounced the ball a couple times and shot. The ball bounced off the rim. “I made up stories about him when I was a kid—that he was away in the military, or that he was a secret agent.”

  The ball bounced on the pavement in front of Tony. “So?” he said, snatching the ball into a dribble.

  “Then when I got older, I didn’t make stuff up anymore.” Charlie said as Tony lined up a shot. “I just hated him.”

  Those words threw Tony off at the last minute and his attempt went far left of its target.

  Charlie took his chance and grabbed the rebound. “I never thought I’d be the absent father. I’ve been sexually active since I was your age, and not once did I fail to use protection.”

  Tony stepped in for the steal. With a quick twist, he jumped and the ball slid through the net. “I’m not stupid. I know last thing you want is some kid hanging around.”

  Charlie threw the ball across the yard. “Dammit, no one ever asked me what I wanted. I didn’t plan to be a father, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t want you in my life.”

  Tony’s eyes grew moist, and he turned away.

  Charlie spun him around. “I wanted you. I just wasn’t given the chance. I have the chance now.”

  “My mom says you’re a bad influence. She grounded me when she found out I was going to play poker with you last night.” Tears were rolling now. “Maybe she’s right.” He shook his head, sniffed, and wiped his face with the back of his hand. “Do you know how embarrassing it’s going to be to go back to school in the fall after that video? All my friends have already seen it on YouTube.”

  Charlie felt his heart sink. He’d been in contact with his lawyer this morning and the video had already been pulled from the internet, but the damage was done. He clenched his fists to resist the urge to wipe away his son’s tears. “I’m here to apologize,” he said softly. “About the tape—I made a mistake, and I’m paying for it.”

  Tony nodded. “She is pretty hot,” he said softly. He gave a half-shrug as if none of it mattered. “I can see how it could happen.”

  Charlie had to chuckle.

  Tony’s gaze dropped to the concrete. “I have a friend whose dad is involved with the tournament. He said there are rumors that you released the tape.” Slowly, he lifted his head. “I told him you wouldn’t do that. That rich lady, you love her, don’t you?” He sniffed again. “It must be really hard to have people believe you’d sink that low for money.”

  Charlie wrapped his arms around Tony and pulled him against his chest. For a long moment, he closed his eyes, let himself appreciate the joy of having his son in his arms. “You should know there’s a good chance I’ll make a crappy father. I make mistakes sometimes, and I’m so far from perfect—”

  “I don’t need perfect.”

  “Thank you,” he whispered.

  “So, I guess you’re going to be my dad now?” Tony said, pulling away.

  Charlie smiled, his heart lightening. “I always was. Now I just have the chance to act like it.”

  “What are we going to do about Mom?”

  Charlie followed Tony’s gaze to the house and saw Angela standing in the window. Worry draped across her features and aged her ten years. “I’m going to make some changes, and I think she’ll approve.” Her gaze locked with his and he nodded in acknowledgement. “She’ll come around.”

  Tony nodded. “I think so too. I think she’s just afraid I’m going to drop out of school, but she should know I wouldn’t do anything that stupid.” His eyes darted to Charlie’s. “No offense, man.”

  Charlie chuckled. “None taken. It was pretty stupid. If I had it to do over again—” He thought about his life, his impulsive youth, his poker career…Riley. She’d torn him apart inside but he couldn’t imagine taking away his memories of her. He wouldn’t give them up. “Well, I took a different path. But I wouldn’t recommend it.”

  “Did you end up getting a sponsor for the Grand Escape tournament?”

  Charlie sighed. Rick had been right, of course—sponsorship opportunities were flooding his phone since the footage broke. “I’ll figure something out.”

  ***

  The receptionist on the twenty-second floor of the Grand Escape Executive tower gave Charlie a disapproving frown, making him wonder if he’d have the pleasure of seeing a single person today who hadn’t seen his ass on national television. “Ms. Carter isn’t in today,” she informed him.

  Charlie dragged a hand through his hair and eyed the door to Quinton Carter’s office.

  “Excuse me. You can’t go in there,” the receptionist called as Charlie headed to the doors.

  “I want to see him, Lettie!” Quinton boomed from his office.

  Charlie pulled his shoulders back and prepared himself for battle.

  He had met Quinton Carter several times but had never gotten over the impact of the man’s presence in the room. In his stately office, piles of paperwork at either elbow, Quinton oozed importance. This was a man who had created an empire, a man who knew his value because he had manufactured it himself.

  Without a doubt, this was a man who wouldn’t want someone with Charlie’s background anywhere near his daughter. But Charlie wasn’t here about Riley.

  Charlie entered and extended a hand. Quinton didn’t stand or even offer his hand in return. “Mr. Singleton,” he said by way of greeting.

  “I appreciate you seeing me, sir. I only wish these weren’t the circumstances.”

  Carter’s only response was a raised brow. He was trying to be intimidating, and it worked.

  “May I have a seat?”

  Carter leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest. So, this was going to be a one-way conversation. So be it.

  Charlie lowered himself into an upholstered chair facing the desk. “First I’d like to apologize for what happened with Riley.” He shook his head. Quinton meant the world to his daughter, and Charlie wouldn’t be the reason their relationship fell apart. “What I did was careless and impulsive, and I never intended for her to be hurt.”

  “Perhaps you should have considered that before you got under my daughter’s skirt in a public, highly surveilled elevator.”

  Charlie swallowed, but his pride was thick and went down rough. “I agree, sir.”

  Quinton leaned forward and narrowed his eyes. “To come face to face with a girl’s father after a video like that is released—that takes balls, son.”

  “I own up to my responsibilities.”

  “What about that child of yours?”

  Charlie held Quinton’s gaze. His talk with Tony had given him a strength he’d never felt before. “He’s more than a responsibility. He’s my son.”

  Quinton studied Charlie for a long moment. The tension ratcheted more tightly between them. “Why are you here, Singleton?”

  “First, I think you should reinstate Griminski into his position. He was trying to do something nice for me and it backfired. I hate to see a good man lose his job because of me.”

  “Griminski failed to follow a direct o
rder. The decision made itself.”

  “Please, just…consider. He never would have done it if he’d known what would happen.”

  Quinton raised a brow. “And second?”

  Charlie let the silence sit between them and prepared himself. “Second, you might know that I have yet to choose a sponsor for the Grand Escape Poker Tournament.”

  “You should have your pick, I’d imagine.”

  “With all due respect, sir, I have reservations about working with any company who thinks that video is a solid basis for a business relationship.”

  Quinton leaned back in his chair and gave Charlie a long, tedious once-over. “Why don’t you tell me why you’re really here, son.”

  Charlie nodded. “I have a business proposition for you.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Cameras filled every corner of the room on the last day of the tournament. Charlie sat at the table with two remaining players, his eyes shielded by his customary sunglasses.

  “All in,” Charlie said without lifting the cards from where the dealer placed them before him.

  Murmurs erupted around him.

  Several feet from Riley, a commentator whispered into his microphone. “With what appears to be one reckless move after another, Charlie ‘The Devil’ Singleton has dominated play all week. His play has been too sporadic and unpredictable for us to determine whether he’s truly apathetic or playing mind games.”

  Charlie slid his chips to the center of the table, and something deep inside Riley tugged viciously at her heart, trying to rip it away. She loved him. It was knowledge that had taken root and wouldn’t go away.

  One of the other two players at the table folded, the other pushed his chips to the center, matching Charlie’s bet. Charlie didn’t look at his cards even as the dealer showed the flop and the turn. Only after the river was laid face-up did he flip his cards for himself and everyone around him to see.

  Cheers erupted. “And the Devil wins it all!”

  Charlie pushed his chair back and strode away from the table.

  Riley slid back into the crowd so she could watch as he passed without him spotting her. She eyed the logo on his shirt: Devil May Care Poker Clubs. There was lots of buzz about the yet-to-be-opened Las Vegas poker clubs that had sponsored Charlie ‘the Devil’ Singleton. Riley wondered how much they’d offered him. Not that it mattered.

  She’d turned it over in her mind again and again, and Lacey was right. Charlie wouldn’t have released that footage. And she was beyond foolish for believing otherwise.

  She slipped from the crowd and made her way to the executive tower. She was on the stairs before she thought twice. Was Charlie right? Did she let her fears rule her life?

  She finished the long ascent and went directly to Chaz’s office.

  Behind the polished mahogany desk, Chaz tapped at a keyboard and narrowed his eyes at the screen.

  “Chaz.”

  He tapped a couple more times, leaned back in his chair, and smiled at her. The smile she once found warm and comforting sent a chill through her. “Hey, Riley.”

  Riley adjusted the strap on her shoulder as if her purse were a shield between them. “We need to talk.”

  He nodded to the chair facing him. “Have a seat.”

  “I’ll stand, thank you.”

  “What happened to the sweet woman I used to know?” Chaz frowned and his eyes skimmed her, head to toe. “You’ve changed.”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  He shook his head. “He did that to you—made you feel like you needed to change. I loved you the way you were.”

  “You loved the woman you could manipulate.”

  “Just because I’m not some freewheeling gambler who’s sweet talking you…” He trailed off and pulled a hand through his dark hair. “Just because I don’t talk you into doing things in public elevators, and then, what? Watching the tape of it like some homemade porno? Jesus, Riley, what were you thinking?”

  Riley closed her eyes. How had she been so stupid?

  He sighed. “Maybe I need to do better. Maybe you’re right, and I don’t know enough about what you like outside this place. But I’m willing to learn. I love you.”

  She’d been so determined not to be the naïve little girl everyone assumed her to be that she’d blamed Charlie without consulting her heart. He was right. She was a coward. It had been easier to believe he’d done this than it had been to risk trusting him. “How do you know that Charlie and I watched the footage?”

  Guilt passed over Chaz’s features, turning them ugly for a moment before he caught himself. “Sweetheart, by now, everyone has watched it.”

  She shook her head. “That’s not what you said and not what you meant. How would you know that Charlie and I watched the footage together?”

  He stood and came around the desk, taking her hands in his and squeezing her fingers. There was no comfort in the contact. “I’m in love with you, Riley. Please, let’s just start over.”

  “If you loved me, you wouldn’t have given that video to the press.”

  Chaz narrowed his eyes and straightened. “So he’s feeding you lies now? Who really stood to profit from that? Me or the poker player who’s been losing his sponsorships for going soft?”

  “I know you did it, Chaz, so don’t try to pretend—”

  His face grew hard and his hand gripped her wrist tighter. “Why? Why would I do that, Riley?”

  “Because you knew I was falling for him. You knew you were going to lose me,” she said. “And you want my father’s company too much to let me go.”

  “I didn’t want to lose you, and I haven’t given up on you yet. But that’s illogical.” He shook his head. “See what I mean? He plants these ideas in your head. He’s no good for you.”

  “He’s the best thing that ever happened to me. He wanted me for me, not for my father’s business, not for his money.” And not for a publicity stunt. Only her insecurities had made her believe otherwise.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Riley turned as her father entered the office, his broad shoulders and barrel chest filling the doorway. She’d called him on her way here, told him her suspicions and asked him to make a few calls.

  “Sir!” Chaz snapped to attention, hopping off the desk.

  “Pack your things, Spencer. You’re done. You won’t be working for Carter Hotels and Entertainment anymore.”

  “That poker player is feeding her lies. Are you really going to let your daughter cavort with a—”

  “Stop!” The word boomed from her father’s mouth and filled the room, ricocheting off the walls. “I’ve spoken with your media connection. I know you were behind the footage. You’re done.”

  Her father turned on his heel and left the office. Riley followed. “Thanks, Daddy.”

  He smoothed her hair back and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “I should have seen him for what he is a long time ago.”

  She leaned into him. “He had us both fooled.”

  “What are you going to do about your poker player?”

  She frowned. “I know you don’t approve of him, but he was good for me. Better than I even realized, and if he would take me back, I’d go without a backward glance.”

  Her father raised a brow. “I never said I didn’t approve, Riley. I just asked what you were doing.” He smiled. “Anyone who makes you smile like that one did has all of my approval.”

  Riley’s heart pitched. She wrapped her arms around her father and squeezed him tight. Charlie wouldn’t be making her smile anymore, wouldn’t be sweeping her off for romantic dinners or making her feel the shuffle of a thousand playing cards low in her belly. “I am glad he got a sponsor out of this mess. He’s talented. He deserves a long career in poker.” She withdrew and pulled her keys from her purse.

  Her father frowned. “Charlie announced his retirement this afternoon.”

  Riley heard a clatter at her feet. She blinked down at the
keys that had dropped to the floor. “Why would he do that?”

  “He wants to be in Vegas fulltime to be near his son.”

  “Right. Of course.”

  “The Devil May Care Poker Club that sponsored him is mine—he agreed to be the face of a new set of poker clubs. And I couldn’t beat the price for such good coverage.”

  “You opened a new set of clubs just for Charlie?”

  He tucked a lock of hair behind Riley’s ear. “That’s the beautiful thing. Charlie suspected how much I hated owning strip clubs and suggested I turn the Black Diamond clubs into straight poker clubs.”

  Riley swallowed hard. It was a good idea. Poker clubs with Charlie’s face would attract a lot of attention. Maybe not the kind poker clubs with naked women attracted, but these would be classier clubs where women would feel comfortable playing, where people could go who were looking for a serious game, not an excuse to stare at naked women. “It’s genius,” she said softly. “Is he going to run the clubs for you?”

  Her father shook his head. “I offered, but he wasn’t interested. He just wants an internship at Grand Escape while he works on his Associate’s degree in casino surveillance.”

  Some mix of pride and envy rushed through her. Pride that he’d had the courage to make a change, to pursue a new career. And envy for the same reason.

  “I hurt him, Daddy. I don’t know how to fix that. I was so wrong because I was scared to trust him.”

  “Have you told him that?”

  She looked at her feet. “I’d like to, but I don’t know if he wants to see my face right now.”

  Her father tipped up her chin and looked into her eyes. “He’s only hurting so much because he loves you. He’ll want to hear what you have to say.”

  “Do you know if he’s left yet?”

  “The after party is tonight. As the tournament winner, he’ll be expected to be there.”

  Riley took a breath. It was Saturday. “I have something I have to do tonight, but I’ll catch up with him tomorrow.” She looked at her watch. If she was going to make it in time, she needed to head home for her things now. “I want you to know something, Daddy.”