Queen Flavia (Nate Archibald)

"Why Does It Hurt So Much?"

On the streets. 

Me "wait. Bree's cousin hosts a poker game"

Nate nodded "yeah. PJ Buckley. Picture, like, a young J.R. Ewing in Earnest Sewn jeans"

Me "and you really think he'll play for Carter's dept"

Nate "I've seen him bet thoroughbreds, an island in the Seychelles, the Knicks."

Me "okay, but what makes you think you'll win? you're not exactly a card shark. "

Nate "Well, this one night at Maidstone, Bree told me every one of PJ's tells so you'll know exactly when to call his bluff"

I stopped walking "Wait, me?"

Nate turned to me, nodding "Yeah, you're gonna be playing"

I shook my head "hell no"

Nate "Fla, PJ hates me. and he likes brunettes, though. And didn't you spend a summer in Monte Carlo with your mom when she dated Carlos Mortensen?"

Me " i was 9, Nate"

Nate "and still you beat him"

I rolled my eyes. 

Nate "come on, do it for Carter"

I took a deep breath and we stared to walk again. 

At the warehouse. 

Nate and i walked over to the poker table. A bunch of guys were sitting there. 

PJ "Well, Well, Well. Nate Archibald. You looking for a game?. I'm afraid we don't have a seat for you"

Nate shook his head "oh. I'm not here to play. She is"

I smirked "that is, unless you're afraid to play against a girl"

Pj eyed me "Buy -in is $25000"

Nate took out a stack of money and put it on the table. 

I whispered "That's a lot of money"

Nate whispered "so don't lose"

I smirked. 

PJ "Pull up a seat, darling"

I raised an eyebrow and sat down at the table. 

-----

PJ showed me his cars "Trip queens. "

I sighed, standing up. 

PJ "it just doesn't feel right, you know, taking a beautiful woman's money"

I walked over to Nate "I'm getting crushed. And i never got crushed on Poker"

Nate "don't worry. Pj's on tilt. This is where you hook him"

PJ called out "Archibald, you wanna call it a night? i can spot you cab fare"

Nate "Just get him to bet Carter and remember the tells"

He walked back to the table "Actually, PJ, we're gonna buy back in"

I turned to PJ "but we're upping the stakes. "

He eyed me "what are you thinking of playing for?"

Me "Yeah, not likely. How about Carter Baizen?"

He chuckled "oh, i get it. you're Carter's girl. Well, bad news, sweetheart. Carter's debt is a lot more than you're showing. "

I looked at Nate.