Page 44 of Fought and Freed

They were five to three in Deke’s favor, but that wasn’t an automatic win. “Just make your shot, asshole.”

Deke sneered at Skylar before he sank two more balls, making the surrounding people cheer. He lined up on the eight ball, but it was a long shot, and the cue ball swerved at the last second, just kissing the edge of the black ball and sending it away from the pocket.

Skylar was in trouble. He still had four balls to sink. He had never done this bad before.

He dragged in a deep breath before he took his turn. With pure luck, he sank three more balls, leaving them seven to six in Deke’s favor. He only needed to sink his green striped ball before he could go for the eight-ball.

He studied the pool table as he chalked up his cue.

Deke thumped his stick against the floor. “Come on, dude, make your shot.”

Skylar gave the guy an evil glare before he lined up his shot.

The cue ball missed by a centimeter, and he swore as he made his way back to the tall table where he’d left his whiskey.

“Come on, Deke, wipe the table with this guy,” the blond said.

Deke lined up on the eight-ball again, and everyone quieted.

Seeing his loss coming, Skylar took another long pull on his bottle.

The eight-ball dropped into the pocket, and the crowd burst out in cheers.

Deke strutted over to Skylar. “Where’s my money?”

“Don’t worry, I’m good for it.” He set the bottle down. “How about double or nothing?”

The blond guy made his way over to them. “Make it triple or nothing.”

Deke nodded in agreement.

“Three hundred?” Skylar squinted at them. “Are you sure you can come up with it?”

“The question is whether you can come up with it.” Deke turned toward his guys. “Rack them up. I’ll let you break.”

Skylar took another drink before heading over to the pool table.

Just about everyone who was in the bar made their way over to watch, and bets were made all around him.

Skylar took in a deep breath, lined up his shot, and made the break.

The balls scattered, with two solids going in, and he called his pattern, then worked the table until he missed.

He glanced over at Deke, who was frowning.

Skylar hadn’t left him any good lineups.

Deke tried a trick shot, but his ball rolled right by the pocket, setting up Skylar for a beautiful shot.

He smiled at the other man. “Thanks, Deke.”

Deke didn’t say anything, but his jaw was grinding back and forth.

Skylar took the shot and made it, leaving only two of his balls on the table.

He moved to the side to make his next shot, lined it up, and missed.

Shit, how did that happen? He could make that shot at home a million times.

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