She passed Martha a new package of darts and returned to the computer she’d propped up next to the cash register.
She should have felt like she was getting closer to the truth, but instead, she could feel everything pulling away.Whoever might have been out there didn’t seem to be looking anymore—and she and Billy had done all they could.He’d said he’d help her with the computer stuff, and they’d poked around downtown.There was nothing else keeping him here.
She glanced at him across the bar through her eyelashes.He’d been here for nearly a week, an eternity compared to his previous visits, but how much longer would it last?Things between them were starting to get tense.The sex was becoming hot and desperate, almost as if they both knew the other shoe was about to drop.
It always had before.There was no reason to expect it to be different this time.Their basic problems hadn’t gone away.When it came right down to crunch time, they weren’t strong enough as a couple.
A nasty pang caught her mid-chest.
That damn duffel bag.He never had brought it to her place.He kept it in that empty second floor apartment, going back and forth every morning.She was just a stay-over, and he was ready to go on a moment’s notice.
Soon, he’d be gone.
Because it was “probably for the best.”
The door to the bar opened, letting rays from the setting sun streak across her computer screen.She sent a scowl over her shoulder.
“Back for another round of pool?”Skeeter asked the customer.
“I thought I’d collect on my winnings.”
“She’s at the bar.”
“Hey, Kanga,” Roxie called.She hadn’t seen him for days.She’d thought maybe he wasn’t coming back.
The kid shook his head.“It’s Roux.”
He headed to the bar like a shadow sliding across the floor and climbed onto a stool a few seats down from Billy.
Billy stopped with a beer halfway lifted.“Did you actually beat her, kid?”
“I did.”
“That’s big talk,” Roxie said.“If I recall correctly, we were tied one game apiece.You owe me an order of potato wedges.”
“And you owe me teeny weenies,” he said, his face flaring when he realized what he’d said.
Billy took a drink of his draft beer.“Unfortunate name, but tasty if you can get ’em.”
Roux folded his arms on the bar top and finally met her gaze.“I thought I’d better pay up before you sent someone out to collect.”
“Oh, I don’t send people.I collect on my own.”Roxie turned to the waitress.“Bring my guest some potato wedges and a bourbon burger, on the house.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Sure, I do,” she murmured.Opening the icebox, she stirred the cubes to keep them from clumping.“I embarrassed you the other night.”
She held up her hand to stop the protests.“Not at pool, but when I started talking about setting you up.”
“Oh, that.”Roux rubbed the back of his neck.“You said something about a sister?”
“Your sister?”Billy cut in.
“Blaire,” Roxie clarified.“You haven’t met her yet.She’s super cute.”
Roux turned to Billy.“There are others?”he asked the older man.
“Not for you.”Roxie rolled her eyes at Billy.“Kanga here came in because of the billboard.”
