Page 15 of Between Regrets and Promises

He gets three in before he knocks one in with mine and forfeits his next turn.

“Strip,” I tell him.

I’ve removed my left shoe and then both earrings during his rounds. Of course he gave me shit, saying I wasn’t playing fair, but that’s what he gets for not asking for specifics beforehand. I’ll take off every piece of jewelry before I take off my clothes.

We all watch as he peels off his shirt, and God Bless the Ab Gods, because the man is ripped like Hercules. It shouldn’t come as a shock, though, considering the tight shirt he was wearing didn’t leave much to the imagination. Liam Evans is built like a linebacker I wouldn’t want to piss off. He has tattoos on both arms and his chest, and if my little sister were here, I’d be wiping her drool off the floor. She has a thing for bad boys even though she’s not been allowed to date either. I have a feeling the second she moves here next year, she’s gonna be thinking of ways to get rid of her V-card.

I have two balls left, and he has three, so I take my time deciding on my next one.

“Getting worried?” Liam taunts. “Do you need me to show you how to work that stick?”

I blush at his sexual innuendo, knowing he’s only doing it to piss off Mason, and by his audible grunt, it’s working.

“You know…” I say in a seductive tone, flirting back. “I could use some help. The whiskey has gone right to my head.” I straighten my spine with the stick in my right hand. “Do you think you could help me line up this shot? It’s a tricky one.” I’m playing dumb, and Lennon knows it too. She giggles behind me, whispering to Brandon. I notice Hunter leaning against the wall on the other side, glaring at the happy couple, and I wonder if there’s more to the roommate story than Lennon’s told me.

“I’d be happy to.” Liam hands his stick to Hunter, then comes to stand behind me with a knowing smirk. I bend over the table with Liam’s large frame covering mine, his arms around me as he helps guide the pole between my thumb and forefinger.

“Nice and slow…don’t rush or you’ll risk giving it too much pressure and it’ll bounce off instead of falling right in,” he directs, and I pretend to be helpless in his hold.

“Like this?” I stroke it back and forth, keeping my eyes on the ball.

“Perfect,” Liam says seductively in my ear, then slowly backs away and stands to the side.

“Fifteen in the corner.” After a few seconds, I take the shot, and it effortlessly sinks into the pocket. Then I’m left with one more striped ball.

“Your options are limited,” I mock as he starts unbuttoning his jeans.

“Don’t act like this wasn’t your plan all along,” he muses, pulling them off his legs until he’s standing in only his boxer shorts.

“Final ball,” I say, grabbing the cue chalk and rubbing it on the end of the stick. “Fourteen side pocket.” I look at Liam who winks at me. He doesn’t care that I’m going to beat him, but when his gaze follows Mason, I instinctively turn and see the intense, pissed-off expression painted on his face. If they’re as close of friends as they say, he should know Liam is purposely taunting him. But maybe he thinks I’m the one out of the loop instead and really believes Liam is flirting with me?

That makes this upcoming victory even better.

“Yes!” Lennon cheers the second the ball goes in. “Y’all owe me!”

“She still has to make the eight ball, babe,” Brandon tells her, chuckling.

“True,” I say. “But I’m certain Liam’s out of clothes to take off.”

We all look at him, waiting to see if he backs out.

“I’ve got nothing to hide.” Without another beat, he pulls his boxer briefs down to his ankles, then stands up proudly.

“Oh my God…” I quickly cover my eyes and turn around, blushing that he actually did it.

“Dude!” Hunter shouts at him. “No one wants to see that.”

I giggle. “I wouldn’t sayno one…”

“Okay, game over. Clothes back on.” Mason’s booming voice echoes over everyone.

I peek between my fingers and see he’s standing inches from me. “Thank fuck you didn’t miss or give him the chance to win.” He lowers his voice so no one else hears, but it wouldn’t matter, considering how loud everyone’s being. Between Hunter and Brandon telling Liam to put his clothes back on and Lennon telling them to pay up, it’s loud as hell in here.

“Why?” I drop my arms, looking up at him. “You’re the only one allowed to hit it and quit it?” I raise my brows, challenging him.

“What? No. Soph…”

“Just stop.” I turn toward my shoes and slide them on. Grabbing my earrings off the table, I’m grateful when I see Liam getting dressed, though he was definitely nice to look at.

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