Page 163 of Hard Rain

“That’s adorable. You think this is a democracy,” Memphis said.

“I think you’re old.”

“I’m forty-two.” Memphis frowned.

“Exactly.”

Laughter rippled through the room.

“He’s got a point, bro,” Axel offered.

Memphis pointed at him. “Don’t encourage him.”

“Too late,” Knox said. “He’s been encouraging me for months.”

“Unfortunately.”

Grant shook his head, setting the food on the bar.

“You two done?”

“Not even close,” Memphis answered.

“He’s losing because I’m quicker,” Knox said around a bit of pie.

“You’re losing because you never shut up,” Grant said.

“Whose side are you on?” Knox looked indignant.

“Mine,” Grant grunted and took a slice from the box.

Another round of laughter rolled through the pool hall.

“Forty-something is old.” Knox’s words were muffled around food.

“Careful,” Memphis warned. “One of these days, I’m gonna stop feeding you.”

“No, you won’t.”

“Confident, aren’t you?”

Grant stepped closer. “I bought the pizza.”

“Yeah,” Knox’s eyes lit up, and he laughed, gazing at Grant, “you did.”

Axel watched Knox laugh up at Grant.

It was quick.

Easy.

The kind of laugh that happened without thinking.

Funny.

He couldn’t remember ever seeing Knox laugh like that with anyone else.

Huh.