Blossom Springs: Book 1 by Kitty Berry

Author:Kitty Berry [Berry, Kitty]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kitty Berry Books, LLC.
Published: 2021-09-27T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

I Won't Ever Let You Know

It’s the night before Pepper is scheduled to head home for the holidays and her month-long break before the second semester will begin. Charlie will stay on campus because of hockey, and Pepper doesn’t want to leave him. She tried to talk her parents into letting her stay, Charlie offered her half of his bed—she slept there most nights anyway—but Marie refuses to allow her daughter to shack up with a boy when she has a perfectly good bed at home to sleep in. Losing the argument multiple times, Pepper’s bags are packed and ready for Marie’s arrival in the morning. Pepper is planning on giving her the cold shoulder treatment, but she knows once Marie pulls into The Farmer in the Deli, she’ll cave and agree to lunch with her mother.

The casino is buzzing with excitement in a way Pepper has never seen before as she and Summer approach the private room where Charlie, Hank, and the other guys are already gambling. The guys went straight from their morning practice to play a few warm-up games while Pepper and Summer finished up a paper due by midnight. Pepper enjoys working right up to her deadline. Summer teases her it’s good practice for when she becomes an author.

“It’s packed tonight,” Pepper mentions to Summer as she takes in the scene. “What’s up?”

“Didn’t Charlie tell you?”

“Tell me what?” Pepper, afraid of the answer, hesitantly asks.

She and Charlie have been together for close to four months and over time, she’s grown more and more concerned about his hobby. Pepper is pretty sure his gambling is much more than just for fun. She’s been the recipient of lavish gifts and dinners, things much beyond the means of a guy in college with no job. Charlie played it off each time she chastised him for spoiling her by claiming the NHL contract he signed allowed for it. But Pepper had put her sleuthing skills to good use and asked Hank about their contracts one day when Charlie was in the shower. Hank admitted to the enormous sum of money for their first year on the professional ice, but when she asked if he’d gotten any of his yet, he laughed and explained that wasn’t how it happened. Just like she suspected.

“This tournament pulled in some big names from Los Angeles and New York, some actors and athletes and stuff. Charlie is really good, and everyone wants to play with him.”

They walk through the door of the Python’s Parlor—the name of the backroom poker studio—and Charlie is the first person Pepper sees. He’s talking to some men she doesn’t recognize. Being here as often as she is makes her question who they are. Maybe they’re from California or New York, like Summer said.

Seeing her, Charlie’s expression turns nervous, and he makes a slight gesture to keep her at bay.

After his conversation finishes, he makes his way to her side and pulls her into him and kisses her temple. “Here’s my good luck charm.

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