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Chapter Ten

“Eight ball, corner pocket.”

The cue stick tapped the butt of the eight ball and rolled across the pool table with an air of confidence. At the entrance of the corner pocket, it whirled around the open goal before sinking inside.

“Every time!” Josiah, the youngest of the Rose brothers, exclaimed.

“Nobody’s that good,” Quentin said, shocked by the game-winning streak Jonathon had.

The smug grin on Jonathon’s face was boastful enough. He didn’t need words. Josiah slapped Quentin on the back.

“Look at it like this,” he said, “there’s always next time.”

“Don’t make false promises, brother,” Jonathon said toward Josiah.

They all snickered. Everyone but Quentin of course. Sitting at Lamar’s Sports Bar and Grill, the group of friends high-fived and switched positions as they all took turns playing pool. The bar was crowded for a Wednesday, but all Quentin wanted to do was let out the secret he held. Maybe having an audience this size was a good thing, then Quentin would have witnesses if this all went wrong.

“I’m off my game, man,” Quentin said.

“Oh yeah, I heard about your accident. Heard the car that hit you cost more to get fixed than your medical bills did.”

Jaden and Jonas laughed.

“It’s because I’m a beast,” Quentin joked, flexing his arms to show off his steely biceps. Although he joked and clowned around with his friends, Quentin noticed that Jordan was conveniently too busy to join them. Citing an important case was underway that needed his attention. A part of Quentin wanted to believe that was true; after all, Phoebe had also been missing the last twenty-four hours. The few times he’d spoken with her had been on a break she’d forced herself to take, so it was completely possible that Jordan’s absence was because of this important case.

However, Quentin knew better. It was already starting, and he and Phoebe hadn’t even been on a date yet. Quentin knew this process wouldn’t be a smooth one in the least, but he’d half expected to be given a chance.

Now standing here with men he considered family on the cusp of not asking but informing them he would be dating their sister was giving him a sour taste in his mouth, and it was no wonder he was on his fifth Corona, as he desperately wanted to wash his palette.

“I’m glad you’re all right, man, truly,” Jonathon said.

“I appreciate that.”

“How are you feeling now? Phoebe told me they released you the same day,” Jaden said.

“Yeah. The doctor called me the Iron Man.”

They all guffawed, and Josiah even ran around the pool table in circles, laughing.

“I can’t believe you just gave us that kind of ammunition,” Jonathon said.

“I did, didn’t I?”

“Yes, you did,” Jonas said.

“Fuck you all,” Quentin said.

They laughed harder, drawing nearby smiles from lingering women.

Quentin took a swig of his beer. “So, fellas, how’s married life?”

“Oh look,” Josiah said, “he’s deflecting.” The guys chuckled. “Don’t worry tin-man; we don’t plan to laugh at you all night.”

Quentin shook Josiah off his shoulder. “Get off me, busta,” he said.

“Was that a serious question, man?” Jonas asked.

“Yeah. I mean, we grew up together, and got into some pretty wild things, too. I’m proud of you all for growing out of it and changing your ways. It just goes to show that anybody can change for the better,” Quentin said.

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