*~The Dream Of A Lifetime~*

“I win again,” Antoinette said. “How cool is that? That’s five games in a row I won.”

“Shut up,” Valondra said. “You’re cheating like you always do.”

“Whatever,” Antoinette rebutted. “You’re just a sore loser.”

“Whatever,” Valondra rebutted herself. “You never play fair in poker.”

“That’s because you don’t know how to play,” Antoinette said. “Especially when it’s playing for money.” Valondra rolled her eyes. “Loni prefers strip poker.”

“Why didn’t ya say so?” Alexander asked. “We could’ve played that instead.”

“You would’ve lost,” Valondra replied. “I didn’t want to embarrass ya’s.”

“Her and Fox always play strip poker,” Antoinette pointed out.

“He always loses too,” Valondra added. “Strips right down to his birthday suit.” She smiled and Nickolas looked at her, as Alexander raised an eyebrow. “Yes I’m still a virgin.”

“I wasn’t going to say anything,” Alexander said.

“You didn’t have to, because it’s written all over your face,” Brian pointed out.

“Whatever,” Alexander said.

“Whatever,” they all mocked, as there was a knock at the door.

“I’ll get it,” Brian said getting up and walking to the door.

“So do you really play strip poker?” Nickolas asked.

“All the time,” Valondra said. “Me and Fox; well not so much now as before.”

“Right,” Nickolas said.

“He’s the one that taught me how to play,” Valondra said. “He taught me a lot of stuff.” Nickolas smiled.

“Except for sexual education,” Alexander said.

“Is that all you think about?” Antoinette asked.

“No,” Alexander said.

“Yeah right,” Antoinette said. “That’s not the vibe you’re giving us. You seem like some sex crazed guy.”

“I’m not,” Alexander stated. “If a woman’s not into I don’t force her into it.”

“That’s great to hear,” Valondra said.

“Hey, guys,” Hannah said and they all looked. “Loni, may we talk?” Valondra just looked at her. “Please?”

Valondra sighed and said, “Fine…talk.”

“Can we go somewhere else?” Hannah asked.

“Fine,” Valondra said getting up and leading Hannah to the one bedroom. She closed the door behind them and asked, “What do you want to talk about?”

“I was thinking about what happened earlier,” Hannah began, “and I wanted to say how stupid it was and that I’m sorry for what I said and did.”

“Why should I believe you?” Valondra asked. “You said some mean things.”

“I know that and I’m sorry. I don’t want to ruin our friendship.” Valondra just continued looking at her. “Apology accepted?”

“I don’t know, Hannah. I mean you never acted this way before.”

“I know and I feel so stupid.”

“I’m glad you do.”

“Do you forgive me?”

Valondra looked at her a second then said, “Yeah.”

“Thank you.” The two girls hugged. “Let’s not ever fight again.”

“Sounds good.”

“Good.”

“Come on.” They walked from the room and rejoined the others.

“So is everything cool?” Antoinette asked.

“Yeah,” Valondra replied.

“Good,” Antoinette said. “You in for another game?”

“Uh…nah,” Valondra said. “I’ll sit this one out.”

“Ok,” Alexander said. “Hannah? You in?”

“I guess so,” Hannah said, as Valondra sat on the sofa next to Nickolas.

“You’re not playing this hand?” Valondra asked.

“Nah,” Nickolas said. “I’m taking a break.”

“Cool,” Valondra said. “So how long are you in town for?”

“We leave Monday.”

“Oh.”

“Disappointed?”

“Kind of.” He smiled. “I was hoping to get to know ya a little better.”

“I think we can work something out.”

“I hope so.” They smiled at each other. “When’s your next show?”

“Tuesday; in Miami.” She nodded. “We were going to leave last night, but then Kev and D got those dates and I was hoping to get to know you and yeah...”

“Yeah.” They looked at the group playing cards. “So when do you want to get together?” He looked at her. “I’m free tomorrow night.”

“What a coincidence, so am I.” She smiled.

“Will you two quit making a date and join us in the game,” Alexander said. “It’s better with more players.”

“We’re taking a break,” Valondra said.

“You’re just a sore loser,” Antoinette said.

“Whatever,” Valondra said rolling her eyes. “We’re not making a date.”

“’I’m free tomorrow night’,” Brian mocked and they all laughed.

“Jealous?” Valondra asked.

“Why would I be?” Brian asked.

“Because I’m into Nick and not you,” Valondra replied smiling.

“I could care less,” Brian said.

“Whatever,” Valondra said. “We all know you want me.” She smiled and they all laughed. “You can’t resist me.”

“Get over yourself,” Hannah said.

“Jealous?” Valondra asked her friend.

“Ha, yeah right,” Hannah said. “What’s to be jealous about? Spoiled little rich girl with no love of her life and no loving family to comfort you in time of needs.” Valondra glared at her.

“Don’t even start with me,” Valondra warned. “I’m not in the mood.”

“Fox not give ya anything?” Hannah asked.

“You’re funny ya slut,” Valondra said.

“Ladies, if there’s going to be a catfight wait until I get my camera,” Alexander stated. “I want to be able to watch it over and over.”

The girls just gave him a strange look and Nickolas said, “I wouldn’t mind seeing it either.” Valondra looked at him and he winked.

“There’s not going to be any catfight between anyone,” Valondra said and then whispered, “I’m sure other fights can be arranged.” Nickolas looked at her and she winked at him this time.

“Are you two in this hand or not?” Brian asked.

“Not me,” Valondra replied looking at her watch. “I have to call Fox actually.”

“What for?” Antoinette asked.

“He’s on a date and he told me to give it an hour and then call him to see how it’s going,” Valondra answered. “If it’s not going good then I have to give him an emergency to get out of it.”

“Maybe you two should go back out,” Hannah suggested.

“What for?” Valondra wanted to know. “If we did everyone would know about it and it wouldn’t be any fun.” She smiled and Nickolas looked at her. “Why do think we never said anything those two years we were dating? Everyone would be in our business.”

“Whatever,” Hannah said.

“Let’s just drop this,” Valondra suggested this time. “I have to make a phone call.” She got up and walked out of the room.

“Are you in, Nick?” Antoinette asked.

“Yeah sure,” Nickolas said sitting on the floor with them. “I got this game in the bag.” He smiled confidently and the others shook their heads.