Page 11 of Slice

Finally, he turned toward Cannon. “What?” he growled.

“Just wondering why you’re so grumpy. Rumor has it you’re quite enamored with a certain woman,” Cannon said.

Slice sank his shot. He was thankful he could ignore the question for a minute until his shot was finished. He steadied the cue and then took his shot, completely missing the ball and scraping the felt.Shit. How did I miss such an easy shot?

Slice motioned to the table for Bear to take his turn. He shifted toward Cannon and noticed Dex had joined him.

“I admit. She has me tied in knots, but I didn’t hear a thing from her today.”

Slice friggin’ knew he sounded like a whiny teenager, but this dating stuff was new and, frankly, sucked.

“Well, as someone who has screwed up about as much as someone can and still got the woman of his dreams, tell me what happened. Maybe I can offer some advice.”

Slice started to tell him but was distracted as Willa and Cruise came into the room from the hallway. Willa had beard burn along her neck and was buttoning the bottom of her shirt. Cruise had a satisfied look on his face, and Slice wanted to punch Cruise. He was thrilled Cruise and Willa had found each other again after what had happened, but Slice was jealous. He wanted what they had with Faith. He had to laugh a little that Willa had liked the comradery of the guys, and after the danger had passed, asked that she and Cruise move back into the clubhouse. Slice had to wonder if it was because of his insomnia and Willa not wanting him to be without Cruise.

“Oh, advice on what?” Willa asked.

“Umm, on making sure after you get some nooky that your shirt is buttoned correctly,” Dex deadpanned.

Willa blushed but turned her back to the guys and rebuttoned her shirt correctly. She turned around.

“Thanks. Now advice on what?”

“Slice has not heard from the fair Faith and is missing her,” Cannon said.

Willa slipped her arm around Slice. “Tell me what happened. I’m not the girliest of girls, but I probably have a better insight into how they think than these guys do.”

“Hey, I know how women think. I knew exactly where you wanted me to put my mouth earlier without being told,” Cruise said, chuckling.

Slice laughed along with them. Willa shook her head and smiled at her man. That is what Slice wanted—the joking, the comradery, and the love with Faith that seemed to come so effortlessly to Willa and Cruise.

Willa led him over to the table. “How about I grab us all something to drink and we hash through how to help you?”

“I’ll take some type of caffeine. Jesse pumped before she went over to her sister’s, so I’ll need to be with it enough to wake up when they cry. Which makes me wonder, why aren’t you at girls’ night?” Cannon asked.

“Oh, they offered, but I told them I could do next time. Cruise promised me a night ride tonight since the moon is full,” Willa said.

War walked in, followed by Flick and Locks. He paused and grabbed a couple drinks Willa had made.

“Tonight is a gorgeous night for a ride,” War said, sitting down and kicking his legs out.

“True. And the highways are clear without any snow or precipitation. Now, back to Slice’s dilemma,” Bear said, motioning at Slice to continue.

Slice wasn’t sure where to start but maybe last night would be good.

“After I had to leave Faith’s and work at the diner, they all came for lunch, and I offered to bring supper to spend time with Faith and the boys. After supper, when the kids were in bed, I got ready to leave. I pulled her close and kissed her. Then I came home.”

Slice waited to hear their suggestions, but it was quiet with only the hum of the refrigerator behind the bar.

“I have a couple questions,” Willa said with a strange look on her face.

Slice nodded, waiting for her to continue.

“You said you pulled her close and kissed her. Did you say anything?” Willa asked.

“I think I told her I had a wonderful time and that she went to my head faster than whiskey,” Slice said.

Slice wasn’t sure if the silence was good or bad, but no one saying anything was starting to make him feel like he’d done something wrong.

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