Page 95 of Wild Ever After
“I’m a fan of winning, and I’m terrible at pool.”
“You’ve just had the wrong partners.” I take her hand and lead her to an empty table.
Once I’ve racked the balls, I call to a nearby Leo, “Do you and Scarlett want to play us?”
He looks to his girl and she nods. Leo and I are pretty evenly matched, as are the girls, but Jade and I have something they don’t—a hunger to win. Maybe it’s because we’re still in that phase of wanting to show off for each other, or maybe it’s a difference in our base personalities. Fuck, maybe it’s just that they’re more interested in kissing than beating us.
I’ll kiss my girl when I’ve earned it by destroying the competition. Jade seems to have the same mindset. She cheers as I sink each ball, and when it’s her turn, she gets the most determined look on her beautiful face.
On Scarlett’s next turn, she drops the last solid ball and aims for the eight ball. The angle isn’t quite right, and she misses, making it Jade’s turn.
My girl lets out a breath as she studies the table. One stripe left and the eight ball.
“You’ve got this,” I say quietly, as I stand behind her and brush my hand over her hip. “Take your time.”
She doesn’t look at me, but nods. I step back to give her room and say a silent prayer as she aims and fires, sinking our last stripe ball like a shark. Without celebrating, she moves right into position to shoot the eight ball.
“Side pocket.” She points with the cue.
I hold my breath, pulse racing. It’s just a game. I know it’s stupid, but I can’t remember being more excited than when that final ball inches toward the side pocket and drops.
She whirls, jaw hanging open and eyes wide. “I did it!”
I drop my cue stick to the table and catch her when she jumps into my arms. I spin her around and cheer. Nobody gives a shit that we just won, but it doesn’t matter. This moment isn’t about them.
Our kiss is fueled by the adrenaline of winning and something even better, something I didn’t even know I was missing out on—winning together.
We take on Piper and Tyler next, easily beating them. Then Ash and Jack try their luck but we’re on a roll and can’t be bested.
When no one else will play us, we finally take a seat at the table with Mikey and a few of the single guys. There isn’t a lot of room, so Jade sits on my lap, and I wrap one arm around her waist.
“Happy birthday, kid.” I lift my glass to Mikey. His drunken state is more subdued the later it gets.
“Thank you. Thank you.” His stare holds on me and Jade. “My wish this year is to win the Cup and find a girl half as cool as yours.”
I tighten my hold on her. Something else I didn’t realize I was missing out on—being part of a couple that was so happy, people wanted to be me.
I clink my glass against his. “I wish that for you too.”
34
GUT PUNCH
DECLAN
“Nice game tonight.”Ash lifts a wrist and I bump mine against it.
“Thanks. You too. That last assist was money.”
“It was. Wasn’t it?” He grins. “Are you coming to Wild’s for a beer?”
“Not tonight.” I stand and run a hand through my still-damp hair. I don’t think I’ve ever cooled down and showered faster after a game.
“Where are you headed?” he asks, pulling on a clean shirt.
“I’m taking Jade to dinner.”
“They have food at Wild’s,” he teases.
