Read Bobby: Red, Hot & Blue, Book 6 for Free Online Page B

climb up and get him. He was beginning to think the cat did it just for the attention, but he couldn’t tell the old lady no, now could he?
    At least Christy seemed to enjoy seeing him perched up on a limb getting torn up by the damned feline. Hell, if it saved her from getting fired and he could keep the infamous little league tape, a few bloody scratches were all worth it. Otherwise, the day was basically uneventful.
    He’d gotten Cole to stand in for him and coach Mikey’s little league game that afternoon. Bobby not being there would also keep the cameras away from his family at the ball field. He was getting good at juggling real life and reality show.
    Christy left Bobby with Fletch at the diner that evening, where he ate dinner alone. After picking up two six-packs of beer for Jared’s little gathering, he headed over to the farm. If nothing else, at least he wouldn’t be home, bored watching television on his night off.
    Bobby let himself in Jared’s back door and realized bored was not the word to describe that evening, but strange sure was. Inside the Gordon kitchen was the strangest mix of poker players Bobby could have imagined. Mac, the middle-aged diner owner, Harry, the ancient bee wrangler, Jared, the horseman, and himself, the deputy.
    Oh, and Fletch the big-city cameramen.
    Fletch… Fuck. Bobby cursed to himself when it hit him. Mandy must have staged this for the show because these four particular people had never before even thought about getting together to play poker in Jared’s mama’s kitchen.
    Bobby shook his head, shoved one six-pack in the fridge and took his seat with the other, mentally trying to calculate when the hell this show would be over. Tomorrow he was going to start a countdown on his calendar. That would make him feel better. He’d put a big red circle around the date when this crew packed up and never returned.
    His stomach twisted at the thought. He hated this whole endeavor. He should be happy for it to be over, but Bobby realized he didn’t like the thought of never seeing Christy again.
    That didn’t mean anything. He’d just gotten used to her constantly being there. That was all. After spending days and nights with her for weeks, her total absence from his life would be strange.
    Four beer caps hit the table as the men popped them open and Bobby realized the game was about to begin. He’d have to worry about the strange feeling in his stomach later. As he took a big swallow of beer, he only hoped the alcohol would squelch it.
    Jared started to deal the cards. “Let the games begin, boys. No-limit Texas Hold ’Em, and stop rolling your eyes at me, Bobby. I’m not blind.”
    Jared sure was blind, blinded by love if he let Mandy talk him into this. Bobby smiled and took another sip of his beer, but he didn’t say that out loud since the camera was there. However he did offer a silent thank you to whoever controlled such things that he had never been afflicted with the love bug himself. Hopefully he never would be.
    The cards dealt, Bobby glanced at his and found a pair of twos. Not great but not bad. He’d stick with that.
    Harry peeked at his own cards, then glanced over at Bobby. “So, Deputy, that cute little brunette you were with yesterday is out with my apprentice tonight.”
    Bobby nearly dropped his bottle. “Excuse me?”
    “Yeah. What’s her name? Chrissy?”
    “Christy.” Bobby corrected Harry through clenched teeth.
    “Yup. That’s the one.”
    He glanced around the strange group. Mac looked mildly interested, Jared was totally engrossed in staring at the two cards in his hand, and Fletch seemed to be biting his lip. He turned back to Harry.
    “Where’d they go? You know?” Bobby did his best to sound casual.
    Harry shrugged. “Nope. But knowing Corey, she’ll be back at his place by tonight. That kid’s real popular with the ladies.”
    Bobby realized he was gripping his longneck bottle so tightly his knuckles were white. He put the bottle