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TRAVIS:
Get your ass up here
Travis’s text snapped me out of my wayward thoughts, and when I checked the time, I realized it’d gotten away from me. I shovedmy phone in my pocket and made my way out of my condo and up to the Cue Club, the billiards hall that was exclusive to residents of the Towers.
If I’d had my way, I’d still be at Archer’s in that big, comfy bed of his, but he was busy tonight, and I hadn’t hung out with the guys since the night I’d gotten way too drunk. If I skipped out on them again, I’d never hear the end of it. When West and Donovan coupled up with their new guys, they’d assumed they’d get a pass from showing up forallthe group nights, but they got so much shit from the rest of us that they ended up bringing their boyfriends along.
So, no, I wouldn’t be missing tonight’s pool showdown.
“Look who decided to finally show up so we can get this shit started.” Daire threw back a shot from the private bar and then picked up his cue stick.
I raised a brow. “Waiting for me?”
“We can’t play teams if your ass is missing,” West said. A quick glance around told me he was missing his better half tonight, and before I could ask where JT was, West rolled his eyes. “He got roped into going to some Christmassy shit with his family.”
“Good,” East said, rubbing chalk over the end of his stick. “He’s still new at sinking balls, anyway.”
West shot him a choice finger. “Don’t worry, he’s been practicing on the regular. But I don’t see why you’re complaining. He only puts more money in your pocket.”
East narrowed his eyes. “I don’t need Golden Boy’s money. Ineeda worthy opponent.”
“Hello? Your competition, right fuckin’ here,” Travis said, spreading his arms wide.
“You’ve already chosen teams?” I asked.
“Yep.” A wicked grin spread across Donovan’s face. “And you’ve got Mr. Sunshine.”
My eyes shot to Daire—Mr. Sunshine—and even though he wasn’t the most…personableof us, he was aggressive enough that we’d actually have a chance to win this thing. As long as East wasn’t hooked up with?—
“Gavin, you break,” East said, a smug tilt to his lips that had me groaning. The two of them were by far the best at this game, and their teaming up meant none of us had a shot in hell.
“That’s bullshit. You two can’t be on the same team,” I said.
“No? We drew names fair and square.”
“You just said you wanted a worthy opponent.Gavin’s that guy.”
“You’re forgetting something,” Gavin said as he pulled balls out of the side pocket of the table, his naturally platinum hair gleaming under the overhead light. “Once we knock out your teams, we face each other. So, really, we’re doing you all a favor. The sooner we kick your ass, the sooner we go out.”
He had a point, but I knew something they didn’t. I’d gotten in a few rounds of private training over the last couple of months with an instructor that had made a world of difference. I wasn’t sure if it was enough to give Gavin and East a run for their money, but more surprising things had happened.
Like…spending the night with Archer.
The moment he popped back into my mind, my whole body warmed. It was supreme satisfaction that flowed through me, the knowledge that he wanted me just as much as I craved him.
As I reached for a cue stick off the wall, West moved in beside me, his arms crossed.
“All right, what the shit is going on with your face?”
I blinked, the smile I hadn’t realized was back falling. “Excuse me?”
“You’ve had this goofy look on your ugly mug all day, and you’re doing it again.” The words were accusatory, like I’d personally offended him.
“You’re saying I look funny? And ugly?”
“You look like you’re happy and all off in fucking la-la land.”
“And that upsets you?”
