“Yep, I work at the clinic,” she confirms politely.
“Here ya go,” Lizzie states, setting the two buckets on the counter. “Want to start a tab?”
“Please,” Blake confirms, pulling his card from his wallet and handing it to Lizzie. He turns to me and asks, “Gone are the days where you just trust everyone, right?”
Clearly he’s referring to the fact the old owner used to just write down the tab on a piece of paper and total it at the end. Now, Lizzie has a computer system that keeps track of those things, but she uses a card to hold it, so if someone slips out without paying, it’ll automatically charge the card on file.
Honestly, it’s a good thing, especially in light of the increase in business. Chuck’s Place wasn’t nearly as busy as The Tipsy Lizard, thanks to all the positive updates Lizzie’s made since she purchased the old bar. Now, she doesn’t have to worry about someone stiffing her when her back is turned.
Lizzie returns with his credit card. “All set. Let me know if you need anything else.”
I see the way his eyes light up, and he’s probably two seconds away from saying something inappropriate that’ll get his ass beat. Collin walks over, behind the bar, and casually steps up beside Lizzie. He doesn’t touch her or throw his arm over her shoulder, like he’s marking his territory, but just the sight of him standing there must be enough for Blake to keep his trap shut.
“Hey, Collin.” He nods his head in greeting and grabs the two buckets. He turns toward Oaklee and adds, “Welcome to Cooper Town, Oaklee. I’m sure I’ll see you around.”
Then, he takes his beers and walks over to the table behind us. “Fucker,” I mutter to myself, but I know they all hear me.
“He’s an asshole,” my brother adds.
Lizzie turns and gives him a smile. “I can handle assholes,” she says and goes up on her tiptoes and places a tender kiss to his cheek.
“I know you can, but that guy just…pisses me off. He’s entitled and thinks he’s better than everyone else,” Collin mutters.
“I briefly thought of asking about him for Allison, but he’s definitely full of himself,” Oaklee adds.
“Yeah, he’s single for a reason,” my brother states.
I take a drink from my cup and turn to Oaklee. “Wanna play another game?”
“Sure,” she replies, already spinning around on her stool.
I don’t say anything to my brother, even if it’s his turn to play. He won’t care. In fact, just a quick glance lets me know he has no intention of walking away from Lizzie right now. He wants to be where she is, and that jealousy slices through my chest once more.
I push that emotion aside and take Oaklee’s hand, walking with her toward the back wall where the pool table is located. In doing so, I pass Blake and his friends, and it takes everything I have in me not to aim a smug grin that way. Instead, I do a chin lift to the group and keep on walking.
I slide the quarters into the mechanism and release the balls. “I’ll rack,” she says, hip-checking me out of the way.
“My balls are yours,” I joke, heavy on the innuendo.
She giggles and places all fifteen balls in the rack. Once they’re arranged properly, she moves it to the point on the table and carefully removes the wooden triangle. “Have at it.”
I chalk the tip of my cue and take aim. When I hit the cue ball, it careens into the fifteen other balls on the table, sending them flying. One of each falls into a pocket, giving me the option to choose what I want to play. Since my next shot is an easy five ball in the side pocket, I settle on low numbers and take aim. It falls easily, but I miss the next shot.
“Aww, poor baby,” Oaklee goads, making me smile.
I lean against the wall, enjoying the view of her playing. She walks around, surveying the table, and settles on an easy shot. When it falls, she does this little shimmy that makes my balls ache.
The ones between my legs, not on the table.
She’s positively the most spectacular woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.
She’s a vision.
“Oh yeah,” she sings, moving around the table for her next shot.
“Lucky shot,” I tease.
“Maybe, but five bucks says I still beat you.” She gives me a pointed look and waits for me to reply.
