I glanced up.He grinned as he stood straight, clearly proud of himself.
“You’ll pay for that,” I said.
I regained my focus and smacked the cue ball with all I had, then watched the balls scatter across the table.I sank two solids right off the bat.I cut him a smug glance.
“I still got it,” I said.
“We’ll see about that,” he said on a laugh.
By then, Halle and Luke were back, each carrying two beers.She handed one to me.
“I propose a toast!”Halle announced, holding her bottle over the pool table.“To old friends and good times.”She looked right at me as she said it.
“Hear, hear!”Luke added.
But Owen never took his gaze off me as we clinked bottle necks.I took a swig of the cheap, cold beer.Nothing ever tasted so good.
Then I took my next shot and missed.
“Are we playing pairs?”Halle asked.
“Yes, and we’re solids,” I said to her.
Halle took up a pool cue, handed it to Luke.Then grabbed one for herself.Owen leaned down to the table, his focus intense as he lined up.He sank two more balls with one shot.Then stood straight, grinning at me as though he won the lottery.
“How’s that?”
“Lucky shot, that’s all,” I said with a laugh.“Bet you can’t get another one.”
“I’ll take that bet.”
He leaned down, lined up with the cue ball… and CRACK.He sank his third.
“You lose, Wakefield,” he said with a laugh.
“You sink another, McAllister, and I’ll buy you another beer,” I said.
He laughed.“You’re on.”
“But—” I added.“You gotta call this one.”
He lifted a brow, trying desperately to hide his smile.“All right then.Twelve ball in the left corner pocket.”
“Tough shot.You’ll never make it,” Luke said, heckling him.
And as I looked up at him, I saw he had his arm slung over Halle’s shoulders.Casual.Comfortable.Like he’d been doing it all his life.
I blinked.Halle grinned.
Halle—head cheerleader and Luke—star quarterback.
Just like old times.
And it felt good to be home.
“We’ll see about that,” Owen said as he leaned down to the table.
His gaze was intense as he lined up with the cue ball.Then took his shot.The twelve ball smacked against the eight and missed the pocket by a long shot.
