Love Means_. Freedom - Andrew Grey

can win my money back." Lumpy began dealing, and Stone watched until Preston, of all people, leaned toward him and showed him his cards. Stone moved closer and couldn't help inhaling the man's clean, earthy scent. "The trick is to not let any sort of expression cross your face, so the other players don't know what kind of hand you have."
    Stone saw that Preston had a little of everything and watched him bet before more cards were dealt. He wasn't sure what Preston was doing, but watched closely as more cards were turned over. He had no idea what all the words meant, but appreciated that Preston kept explaining the terms as they went along. "We'll bet twenty." They were playing for dimes, but they were serious enough that you'd have thought big money was at stake.
    Stone watched as a number of guys folded their hands. He tried to keep his expression level even as he wondered what Preston was doing. As far as he could tell, the man had nothing.

    "Call," Geoff answered and threw in some chips. More cards were dealt, and again Preston bet. Stone saw Geoff's confidence begin to waver just a little; then he threw in his cards, and Preston pulled the money toward him with a big smile. "What'd you have?"

    "Gotta pay to see 'em." Preston smiled up at him and Stone smiled back, and the cards passed to the next person. Preston leaned to Stone and whispered softly in his ear, "That was a bluff." Stone nodded and felt a tingle up his back as Preston went back to playing. As the evening wore on, they played and laughed as the pile of chips in front of Preston grew larger. "Stone's gonna take this hand for me."
    "Are you sure?" Excitement warred with nervousness as the cards were dealt to him and he picked up a pair of sevens. That seemed to be good, and when another one appeared face up in front of him, he had to keep himself from smiling. He placed a small bet and it got raised. He called, and more cards were dealt. He bet again and a few people dropped out, but Geoff and Joey stayed in. Geoff raised him, and he began to get nervous. Preston had backed away from the table and wasn't looking at the cards. "Do what your gut tells you."
    Stone raised the bet, and both Geoff and Joey called. "Three sevens." Stone grinned as Joey threw in his cards.
"Sorry." Geoff set down a pair of nines to go with the one he had showing.
"Wait, Stone." Preston pointed to the table. "You have a full house, sevens and tens."
Geoff smiled. "Yes, you do," he said, and he pushed the pot toward him.
    Stone beamed and added the chips to Preston's pile, but Preston stopped him. "This is your first pot--that's yours." Stone grinned, eyes crinkling, and stacked the chips in front of him. He knew it was dumb luck, but everyone made him feel so good, like he belonged, especially Preston. This was so different and completely unexpected. Stone didn't win the next hand, but the evening broke up soon after and he made a few dollars with his winnings.
    The guys helped clean up and began to say their good-nights. "Thanks, Preston. That was really nice of you," Stone said as Preston followed Jasper. "No problem," Preston called as Stone found himself at the table alone. He got up and began folding down the chairs, getting them ready to take to the basement. He noticed that Jasper and Preston were whispering back and forth. "This isn't high school, Preston," Jasper said, and then he left the room.
    "Is something wrong? Is Jasper mad?"
"No, he's just reminding me to be a man."
Stone tucked two chairs under each arm. "What about?"
"I wanted him to talk to someone for me and he told me to do it myself."
    "Oh." Stone took the chairs through the house and into the basement, and then returned to the room, where Preston appeared to be waiting for him expectantly. Not knowing what was happening, he began folding up more chairs until he felt a hand on his arm, and he jumped, almost dropping the chair.
    "I wanted to ask you something." Stone noticed Preston squirming in his chair.
"Okay." Stone stopped moving, wondering if he'd done something wrong. Instinctively, he began fidgeting and reached for the chairs.
    "Stone." Preston touched his arm again. "I was wondering if you'd be willing to go out with me?" A crash made them both jump, and Stone realized he'd let go of the chair he was holding.
    "Sorry." Embarrassed, he felt himself color as he scrambled to pick up the chair and set it against the table. "You mean like a date? Why?" "Yes, like a date." Preston smiled at him,