“Nice break,” Mack said. Then ruined the compliment with “Run with it while you can.”
What an ego. His pride made her that much more determined to crush him. She did pretty well, sinking two more balls before the last one just missed hitting the corner pocket.
Mack looked serious as he concentrated on the game. He stretched his neck and shoulders before taking position behind the table. And then he managed to sink the rest of his balls, followed by the eight ball, which he called.
“Son of a bitch.”
He blinked, all innocence. “Ready for our second game?”
“Fine. You break this time.”
“A pleasure, Officer.”
She wanted to smack him with her stick, not sure why she felt equal parts annoyance and amusement. Cass hated to lose at anything, but Mack clearly knew how to play the game. That she could respect.
“Want me to move slower so you can see what I’m doing? It might help you.”
“Shut up, Revere. Just handle that stick like you mean it.”
He didn’t look at her as he muttered, “I always handle my stick like I mean it.” Then he glanced up and smiled. “Watch.” He stared at her while he broke, and the smack of the balls as they raced around the table drew her attention.
A striped ball went in.
“You got lucky,” she groused, wondering what new and wonderful adjectives he’d use to describe his play.
Jed and Tex approached with a tray of food and pitcher of beer in time to overhear Mack boasting, “Lucky? More like freaking amazing. What a talent! That’s what you’re really thinking. It’s okay. You can say it.”
“Damn.” Tex sighed. “Thought I’d missed most of his jaw-jackin’ by hangin’ at the bar.”
Jed chuckled. “What game is this?”
“Our second,” Cass said as she watched Mack study the table before sinking another ball. “And before the chatterbox runs at the mouth, I’ll just let you know he won the first game.”
“Annihilated her.” Mack sank another.
She frowned. “You did not. You got a few nice shots in is all.”
Fortunately, after putting the third ball in the side pocket, he managed to miss his fourth ball, so she got her turn. She sank all but the eight ball, taking her time with the last one and staring Mack in the eye for a few moments to try to psych him out.
Except he was grinning at her, not at all upset about maybe losing.
“I’m not sure what I’m seeing,” Jed murmured to Tex. “Is my partner just about to whip his ass or what? Is this staring contest part of the bet?”
Shut up, Jed. This is crucial to my win.
Mack snorted. “She’s just trying to get in my loop.” Mack tapped his forehead. “Because if she misses, she knows I’m going to end her. Then our last game will be out of pity because I’ll have already taken her money and made her cry.”
Jed laughed. “Cry? Nothing makes Cass cry. Not even when she stepped on a LEGO tree and nearly broke her ankle tripping down the stairs.”
She grinned. “Last time I babysat for you, wasn’t it?”
He shook his head. “I don’t blame you. Those fucking building blocks have even made me cry.”
“I’m not gonna lie. That hurt like a mother.”
Jed chuckled. “I know. But don’t worry. Shannon got the kids in line. Ever since you nearly took that header, no playing on the stairs. Period.” He said to Tex, “My wife doesn’t mess around. The kids and I do what she says.”
“I hear ya.” Tex pushed back his hat. “My girlfriend looks sweet as pie, but she’s a total ballbuster.”
