Page 42 of Make You Stay

The pub sits on the outskirts of town, but it has ample parking and an enormous beer selection. It’s a local haunt, not trendy, like the tourist traps lining the main streets.

We walk in and order a drink, but I notice the stares. One, I lookwaydifferent than I did a couple of weeks ago, and two, Chloe doesn’t blend in with the local population—in a good way. Averygood way.

Carl and Jack, two of the guys in the band, are already here, and they waste no time giving me shit about my appearance.

“Look at the pretty boy,” Carl says, sidling up next to me at the bar, a smirk on his face.

“Just because I shaved and got a haircut doesn’t make me a damn pretty boy.” I watch as Chloe disappears into the bathroom, eyes following her the entire way.

“Let me guess, is it because of her? She’s gorgeous, by the way. Who is that?”

“Remember Betsey? That’s her daughter.”

Carl’s eyes widen. “I thought you hated her.”

I shrug, swigging back my beer. “Turns out I don’t. I had her pegged wrong.”

Carl gives me an elbow in the ribs, an evil gleam in his eye. “I’ll bet you want to peg her in all the wrong ways.”

Usually, I tolerate the sexist banter, but I don’t appreciate anyone speaking that way about Chloe. “Don’t be an asshole.”

“I met her the other day,” Jack pipes in. “She’s really nice.” He’s the peacemaker of the band, and once again, he’s on duty.

“I’ll bet.” Carl stalks off, muttering about the soundcheck.

“What’s his issue?” I ask Jack.

“His old lady caught him with Helen again, and she’s been making his life hell ever since.”

“She should.” Here’s the thing. I don’t abide cheating. I fully understand that you can date several people simultaneously, so long asallparties are on the same page. But once you speak those vows? That’s a different story. That’s a commitment, not something you follow when you feel like it.

“Want to play pool?” Jack asks, nodding toward the table.

“Can we?” Chloe asks over my shoulder.

Swiveling on the bar stool, I smile. Hell, I always smile when Chloe is around, and now, her dark eyes sparkle with excitement. “You like pool?”

She nods, tonguing her lower lip and once again sending my mind to the gutter. “I’m not any good, but there’s only one way to improve, right?”

“Good point.”

Besides, how bad can she be?

Five minutes later, I have my answer. She’s terrible, but she’s also adorable. Thankfully, Jack finds the entire situation amusing and is letting me act as Chloe’s unofficial coach in an attempt for her to sink something.

Anything at this point is an improvement.

“Chloe, come here.” I wave her over to me, noticing her embarrassed grin.

“Here,” she hands me the pool cue. “I’m worse than I remember, and I didn’t think that was possible.”

“Let me give you a couple of pointers.” I wrap my arms around her, my hands resting over hers as they grasp the cue.

Bad idea. A very bad idea that feels so very good.

Her ass.

My cock.

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