“I’ll raise ten.”

“Fold.”

“Fold.”

“Call.”

Finley Calderwood studied the two cards in his hand; the two of diamonds and the queen of hearts. On the table were the three of clubs, the four of hearts, the ace of clubs and the five of clubs with one card left to be dealt.

I just need a six to complete my straight, Calderwood thought as he studied the faces around him. Nybor and Rix had already folded and were watching Calderwood with interest. Anderson, the latest addition to their weekly game, had called Bradshaw’s raise.

Does one of them have a flush? Calderwood asked himself. Or are they both bluffing?

“C’mon Calderwood, call or fold already,” In the short time they’d served together, Calderwood had learned that patience was not Nybor’s strong suit, as evidenced by his friendly heckle.

Calderwood sat back in his chair and studied Bradshaw sitting opposite as he toyed with the corner of his cards. If she had a tell, he hadn’t figured it out yet. He glanced down at his meagre pile of chips, enough to call with five left over.

“All in,” Calderwood announced as he pushed all his remaining chips into the centre of the table.

“I’ll call.”

“Me too.”

Both women threw another five chips each into the pot.

“Finally,” Nybor grumbled as he dealt the final card, a six of diamonds. “Let’s see what you have.”

Anderson turned her cards up first, revealing two aces. Calderwood’s heart skipped a beat when Bradshaw turned up her first card, the eight of clubs. From the smirk on her face, he knew she’d beaten him, which was confirmed when she turned over her second card and revealed the jack of clubs. He’d only managed to fill his straight on the river, but by then, he’d already been beaten.

When Calderwood finally turned his cards over, Bradshaw let out a delighted shriek and immediately reached for the pot in the centre of the table.

“Tough luck,” Rix consoled him with a pat on the shoulder. “Do you want to buy back in?”

Calderwood was about to agree when a thought struck him. “Computer, what time is it?”

“Twenty-Three-Zero-Seven Hours.”

Shit! I’m going to be late. Calderwood slid his chair back. “I have to go.”

“Where do you have to go at this time of night?” Nybor asked.

Rix watched him with a knowing grin. “He doesn’t want to be late for his special friend.”

The XO’s words caused Calderwood to pause. There’s no way he can know.

“What special friend?” Bradshaw asked as she stopped midway through shuffling the cards. “You have a special friend you haven’t told us about?”

“No,” Calderwood replied quickly.

Rix looked at the others. “None of you have noticed?” When he received only head shakes and shrugs in response, he continued, “All those furtive glances between them on the Bridge or at staff meetings.” Everyone still looked confused. Rix shrugged, “I guess it’s much easier to notice the subtle signs when you’ve lived six lifetimes.”

Calderwood could feel his face heating up. “We’re not dating.”

“Finn doesn’t do relationships,” Bradshaw chipped in.

Rix rolled his eyes. “Okay, you may not be dating, but you’re sleeping together.”

As much as Calderwood wanted to deny that, he knew the truth was written across his features as clear as day. “I have to go.”

“Whose he dating?” Calderwood could hear Nybor asking as he left.

“Rix knows about us,” Calderwood announced as he invited Rafael da Costa into his quarters forty minutes later.

The easy smile on da Costa’s face disappeared and Calderwood could see his whole body tense. “How?”

“Apparently, we weren’t as subtle as we thought.”

Like a caged animal, da Costa paced the room. “Does anyone else know?”

“No,” Calderwood replied before quickly correcting himself. “Well, Bradshaw, Anderson and Nybor now know I’m sleeping with someone; they just don’t know who.”

Da Costa stopped pacing and groaned, “Great. Now they’ll watch you like hawks to find out who you’re sleeping with. I knew this was a bad idea.”

“What does it matter if people know we’re shagging?” Calderwood asked, unable to hide his frustration. He’d never understood da Costa’s need for secrecy.

A pang of guilt shot through Calderwood at the look of hurt on da Costa’s face. “That’s really all this is to you?”

“Yeah,” Calderwood confirmed. “That’s what we agreed this would be, just some casual fun. I was honest with you about not wanting a relationship.”

Slowly, da Costa nodded his head. “You’re right. You were honest from the start. I think I was the one who was lying; to myself. I thought I could do casual, but I can’t. It’s not me and it’s not who I am.”

Calderwood knew this would happen eventually. “I guess that’s it, then.”

“Yeah,” da Costa whispered. “We should probably keep our distance for the next few weeks.” He placed a gentle kiss on Calderwood’s lips. “I’ll see you around.” 

With da Costa gone, Calderwood was left alone with two wine glasses, untouched, sitting on the coffee table. He reached for one and took a long drink.

“Bollocks.”