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advice.”
    “Ryan has a stripper pole in his bedroom,” Cortland said.
    “What?” I asked, shocked.
    Mike nodded. “That guy’s alright!”
    “Apparently, Janice knows how to work it,” Cortland added.
    “That sounds like something Ryan would do,” I said.
    Mike slammed his hand on the table. “Damn, I wish he was single. He seems like a perfect person to pick up chicks with.”
    “You can’t do it by yourself?” I teased.
    “It’s easier to attack the herd with another predator.”
    Cortland took a drink of his beer then wiped the foam from his upper lip. “I want to get one so Monnique can give me a private show.”
    “Sean and I aren’t doing that,” I said.
    “Why?” Mike asked. “I could show you how.”
    “You’re lucky I know you’re joking,” I said.
    “Or am I?” he said as he winked at me.
    “Wanna hit the tables?” Cortland asked.
    “Let’s go,” I said as I downed the rest of my glass.
    Cortland dropped the cash on the table before I could reach for my purse. Instead of arguing with him, I let it go. We walked onto the floor and heard the sound of the slot machines, money falling into the trays, and the sound of people shouting excitedly when they won the hand.
    “I’m heading for the blackjack table,” Mike said as he walked away.
    Cortland sat down at a poker table with two other guys. I stood beside him while he played a few hands. Cortland was pretty good at it. He lost two-hundred bucks but he won three-hundred.
    “When you ’re up more than fifty bucks, that’s when you walk away,” Cortland as he walked from the table. When we looked at Mike, he was chatting with some blond at the table. We decided to give him some space.
    “So, how are you feeling about the wedding?” Cortland asked as we sat at the bar in the casino.
    “Good.”
    He chuckled. “Whenever you’re short with me , I know something’s bothering you.”
    “I’m just worried my mom might make an appearance.”
    He didn’t say anything but I knew he was curious.
    “My mom was abusive to Ryan and I after my father died. She’s an alcoholic and a horrible person. She took the money my father saved for our college tuitions and basically cut us off completely. When she was drunk she was abusive, physically and verbally. Ryan protected me as much as he could, taking a lot of hits. He helped me study for the SAT so I could get into a good college and get away from there. That was why he opened his shop so quickly. He had to get out.”
    Cortland didn’t say anything for a long time, just staring at me. I could tell he was uncomfortable. “I’m so sorry.”
    “It’s okay. We’re fine now.”
    “But I don’t understand why she would come to your wedding if she wasn’t invited.”
    “When Sean won our money back I know my mom wasn’t happy about it. She doesn’t know where I live so coming to the wedding is her best chance to confront me.”
    He nodded. “I understand now.”
    “Yeah.”
    He placed his hand over mine and held it. “It hurts me to know you had such a horrible childhood. You both hide it pretty well, but I can see the pain when you talk about it. Now I know why Ryan had no family when you were gone. He would rather be alone than see your mom.”
    “Yeah.”
    “Well, at least you never have to deal with her shit again. If she came to the wedding, I would do everything I could to make her leave.”
    “I know.”
    His hand still held mine on the table. It was warm and soft, making me forget about the horrible flashbacks that just shot across my mind.
    I wanted to change the subject. “When are you going to ask her to marry you?”
    He shrugged. “I haven’t decided. Her mom’s passing is still painful for her. I think I should wait.”
    “That’s true. It would probably be best.”
    “Yeah.”
    “You have the ring?”
    “No. I’m still looking.”
    “Let me know if you need help. I know Sean had mine customized. You could ask him for advice too.”
    “I’ll keep