Page 9 of Cowboys at Coconuts

Likely assuming she had already unnerved Cheri, Jade sashayed toward one of two pool tables, nodded toward a couple of handsome country boys, and grabbed a cue stick. Cheri watched as she rubbed chalk on the end for far too long, obviously enjoying the guys’ attention.

Cole returned with his own beer, stood by Cheri, and caught Jade’s eye.

She continued bending over the table and straddling the cue stick as if she were seducing Cole in front of everyone.

Cheri grimaced inwardly.Why do I care? I don’t even know this guy.

Jade locked her dark, flashing eyes on Cheri’s. “Hey, New York, you gonna play pool or are you just here to let Cole buy your drinks?”

Stiffening, she said, “As I said earlier, my name’s Cheri.” She stepped toward the pool table.

“Yeah, New York. Got it.” Jade eyed the pool table. “Let me know when you’re ready.”

Cheri stared at the pool cues and wished she had had a few pool lessons but it was too late now. She had a newfound energy and purpose to beat this woman at her own game. Since Jade had taken her beer, Cheri took a big swig of the Cosmo. Then another. Eventually, she set it behind her purse in the corner and stalled as she rubbed chalk on the end of the cue.

Jade leaned against the table with her arms crossed. “Are you going to massage that thing until it’s a Kobe beef or are we going to play?”

Cheri muttered, “I’m surprised you know what Kobe beef is.” Raising her voice, she said, “Rack them up.”

Jade bent over yet again giving every bar patron a good, long look at her backside before she placed the balls inside the triangle.

“Visitors first. That is, I assume you’re visiting. I’m sure you’d never move to this dink town, New York.”

“You never know.” Cheri decided to let her wonder.

“Whatever.” Jade stared at Cheri from head to toe. “Too bad there aren’t any pink balls to match your stupid, girly pink shoes.”

Chapter 9

Cheri let the second snide remark pass. She had to concentrate. Angling around the table on all sides, she studied the balls in comparison to the six pockets. Once she decided on the easiest shot, she placed the pool stick between her thumb and index finger and aimed at a green striped ball. Surprisingly, it went in.

Jade shrugged. “Beginner’s luck.”

“Nice shot,” Cole added.

Cheri then took aim at an orange striped ball. It also landed in a side pocket.

“That’s nothin’,” Jade said.

Cole winked at Cheri. “Nice.”

She leaned across the table and poised the cue between her finger and thumb. Moving around several times before she made contact with the ball, she took her time. She wanted to win this game. She had to win. Eventually taking aim at a yellow striped ball, it bounced against a solid red ball and missed going into the corner pocket.

“That all you got, New York?” Jade bent down and took aim at a red ball, then a solid blue one. One after another, she put four balls away, first in the right pocket, then the left, and side pockets. The balls zigzagged across the worn green table. She examined the table with great scrutiny, before each successful, catlike move.

Cheri frowned as she guzzled the rest of her Cosmo.

“When you’re finished with that girly drink, it’s your turn, New York.”

This time, Cheri took her time rechalking her cue stick. She stepped around the table, heard a couple of guys mumbling about the fancy “newcomer,” and forced herself to concentrate. Leaning across the table, she focused on the striped balls and surprised herself by easily putting two more into corner pockets.

Jade raised her eyebrows. “Not bad, New York.”

Cole stood a foot away with one hand in his pocket. Grinning, he said, “I gotta admit. Two beautiful women playing pool is a huge turn on.”

Cheri didn’t dare make eye contact with the cowboy. She had to concentrate. After surveying the table trying to figure out her next move and realizing she and Jade each had the same number of balls left, she knew she had a real chance of winning. That is, as long as she didn’t accidentally put the eight ball in. Maybe it really didn’t matter if she won. She had already proven she could play and possibly earned Jade’s respect, though doubtful. Relaxing slightly, she studied the table. She’d have to knock one ball against the side and hope it would bounce back hard enough to knock a second ball into the pocket. She walked around the table twice studying every angle.

Her strategy worked. In fact, she easily knocked two more striped balls into corner pockets. She only had one ball left. Cheri glanced at a seething Jade.

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