In a series of events that had become genuinely real and authentic, Chad chalked this exact moment up as being his new number one favorite memory of the night. Ducky expertly aligned his body with the dartboard and sent the dart flying.
As with all the others he threw before, it landed exactly where Ducky chose it to, solidly beating Chad at their game.
The bar-goers watched and cheered for Ducky, not nearly as surprised at Ducky’s skill as Chad. “Wait. Unfair. I’ve been hustled,” he complained loudly, only making the cheers grow louder.
Ducky’s side grin, the one he gave while trying to hide his humor, shot over his shoulder toward him and the rest of his adoring audience before he turned away from the floor mark and came back to their table. Ducky shrugged as he took his stool, sliding on top. “I can teach you how to play if you want.”
The comeback hit as intended. Chad barked out a laugh as he lifted his glass of ice water, taking a drink to help swallow his defeat. “Yeah, yeah. You’re hiding so many secrets. All these years and I never heard one single word about you being a dartist. You know, I’m considered a decent player in some circles.”
Ducky’s loud laugh revealed how hilarious he found that statement, which had a twofold effect on Chad. One of the things he’d always liked about Ducky was that bold laugh. It spoke of many things. This time though was Chad’s second issue. The hilarity of the laugh made it clear that Ducky didn’t believe Chad had any skill at darts.
“Okay, okay,” Chad lifted his hands in surrender, giving a playful eye roll. “I might need you to give me a lesson or two. How’d you get so good?”
“While your dad was gently teaching you the love of sports, my dad taught all three of us how to hustle. We shoot pool, play cards, and throw darts. He’d teach us just enough to still beat us soundly every time we got together. We all got super competitive. Don’t ever let Dallas corner you in a game of pool. I’m better at darts. My oldest brother Donny is a card shark,” Ducky explained, lifting his almost empty glass, letting the ice cubes fall into his mouth. He chomped on those, discarding the glass back on the table. “I’ve got to go to the bathroom then I should head home. I’m exhausted.”
His gaze followed Ducky’s retreat until he disappeared down the hall leading to the bathroom. He released a pent-up sigh and turned back in his seat. More than anything, he wished he could toss the contents of his glass of ice water onto his heated face. The strain of all his unrequited desire was taking its toll. He needed to move, walk off this hard-on, if that were even possible.
Chad left their table, walking a measured twenty steps back to the bar top to settle their bill. Interestingly, those steps didn’t help relieve anything.
The judgment he’d been hit with when they first arrived had dissolved into a really nice time. These people were as genuine as Ducky. They had easily given Chad a second chance for no other reason than they were good people. He’d enjoyed tonight. Glad he listened to his mother’s advice.
He fished his wallet from his back pocket and thumbed through the cash. The bartender laid the tab out for him to see. “Ducky has an account here.”
“I’ll pay,” he answered distractedly, looking down at the small total circled at the bottom, which was much less than he’d expected. Two burgers, fries, drinks, and darts had cost him less than thirty dollars. This place just got better and better.
“You’re awfully nice-looking,” Betty said, drawing Chad’s attention. She was absently wiping across the bar top with a terry cloth towel, still eyeing him as he laid forty dollars on the ticket.
“Are you trying to increase your tip?” he teased.
He laid a few more dollar bills down, fully aware he was leaving a forty percent tip. Not because of her words or that he was a great tipper, but he truly appreciated her friendliness.
Stepping closer, she grinned. “Yeah, worked too.” She swiped the money away before he could change his mind. “I see the way you’re looking at him.”
“Oh yeah? How’s that?” he asked, tucking his wallet back inside his pants pocket.
“Like you want to pay his way.” Since her sarcastic personality had rarely given him a break all evening, her answer surprised him. Warmth creeped up his neck as he lost eye contact, ducking his head, wishing he hadn’t been so transparent.
“Is it obvious?”
“Oh yeah,” one of the waitresses said as she came to stand next to him at the bar. “You look at Ducky like he’s a piece of steak. I get it. He sure changed his appearance since he and I went out.”
That confession caught Chad’s full attention. He glanced over at her, getting a closer look. She was tall, taller than Ducky, and lanky. Her gauged earlobes and many piercings accentuated her goth vibe. Her eyes were outlined in deep black liner. He bet she and Ducky shared the same taste in metal music.
“When did you date?” Chad asked.
Before she had a chance to answer, he heard Ducky say from his other side, “I have an account here. It’s covered. You don’t have to pay.”
“He already paid and tips better than you,” Betty said with a cackle. “I’ll take his money over yours every time.”
Ducky’s hands flew into the air in an I-give-up gesture. He turned for the front door. “Now you’re making me look bad, Reeves. Can’t believe it’s me at the awards, over-tipping my people to show you have deeper pockets…” Ducky couldn’t hold the line of his words for the laughter that erupted behind him. “I gotta hit the sack. Let’s go.”
Here he was, destined to always follow Ducky wherever he led.
.
CHAPTER 10
“I’m glad to see he’s smiling again,” Dallas said loudly as he entered their shared office space.
