Page 72 of Knot My MC
I set my near empty glass down as she drags me toward the game, almost missing the bar top altogether. “Slow down, woman. They’re not going anywhere.”
One of the games ends and the guys who lost groan, dropping their heads in defeat.
Monica clears her throat. “Kiki and I are next. Winner takes the pot.” She extracts three one-hundred dollar bills from her pocket and places them on the table. “Who’s game?”
“I know you’re good, Monica, but can you really carry the omega through the game?” This comes from a gruff, burly dude with a shaved head.
“Worry about yourself,” Monica snaps and presses her finger into the cash. “Any takers?”
“I’ll play.” A beta with dyed blue hair that’s shaved on either side steps forward.
“Hey, Lor.” Monica shoots me a quick look. “They’re good. Who’s your partner, Lor?”
“Fuck it,” the burly guy mutters. “Royce can’t kick my ass for taking your money in a fair game.” He places his own money on the table next to Monica’s. He and Lor grab their pool cues while Monica shows me to the other rack of cues.
“Mountain, the big one, is good, but you have to watch out for Lor. They’ll play like they’re not good, but then out of nowhere you’ll be left with all your balls on the table and theirs in every pocket.” Monica makes her selection. “I’m not worried though. I’m good, let’s just hope you’re as good as you say you are.”
“I’m good.” I try a few sticks before finding one that’s the right height and weight. “My dad started teaching me when I was nine.” I say that without choking up and quickly focus on the wooden rod in my hand.
“Good man. All right, let’s show them what happens when they mess with us.”
Monica and Mountain talk shit to one another during the set up. Lor shoots me a curious look. If you were to go solely on looks, they’re slight and unassuming. They hold themselves with sureness though, and I know without a doubt they’re a solid player.
“We’ll let you two go first.” Monica snatches the cash from the table and pockets it.
“Hey now,” Lor says, their voice comes out deeper than I expected, but it’s fitting.
“I play fair.” Monica winks at them. “If you win, you’ll get your money.”
Lor squints but doesn’t protest more than that. They go first, breaking the rack with a solid strike, but like Monica predicted, they pull a silly face to throw us off. If she hadn’t warned me, I would think Lor wasn’t very good. Lor steps back and catches me watching. They offer up a grin.
I arch an eyebrow to sayyou’re not fooling me, but smile back to let them know I’m not being a bitch. Monica takes our first turn and I focus on the game rather than evaluating the opponents.
CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX
KIKI
The ball shoots across the table, knocking the last solid into the corner pocket. I drop the butt of my cue stick to the ground and grin. Monica hoots. Lor scowls and Mountain all but growls at me as he bends over to try and save the game. They have five left on the table.
“Shit, Little O. I didn’t think you’d be this good.” Monica chuckles when Mountain sends her a heated glare. “Not my fault you underestimated the tiny thing. You probably should have known better. Sheisfrom Wrecker.”
“Are you calling me a cheat?” I pretend to scowl at her. Over the course of three games—each of which we won—Monica and I have bonded. Kicking ass at pool has a way of bringing people together. The fourth game is shaping up to be ours too, and despite trying to play it cool, a smug smirk tugs at my lips.
Lor’s mostly been a good sport. They don’t look nearly as mad as Mountain. I get why he’s frustrated though; he and Lor are out a lot of cash. Mountain shoots and the balls clack together. Number fourteen sails by the side pocket he was aiming for and knocks the eight ball into a better position for Monica to sink it in.
“Damn,” he curses, walking back to where Lor is standing.
“This is probably our last game,” Lor says with a chuckle. They push a strand of vibrant blue hair out of their eyes.
“Bunch of sharks,” Mountain mutters to himself.
The people watching the game laugh at his expense and Monica makes the shot with ease. Her eyes light and she winks at Lor before glancing at Mountain.
“Come on, Mountain. Are you really going to be a sore loser?” Monica places her pool stick on the table and grabs the cash from her pocket. She counts out loud, much to Mountain’s annoyance. “Here you go, Little O.”
The nickname is cute, but I didn’t miss the raunchy jokes a few guys dropped during the game. Nothing nefarious, just a bunch of bikers talking shit.
I take the cash. It’s over a grand, and I do feel pretty bad about taking their money. I split the cash evenly and drop it on the pool table.
