Page 87 of The Rat

“Let’s seethem.”

Greenhuffed and perched on the side of thetable. “Here we go. Jack loves showing off.”

“You’re onlyjealousbecause you suck.”

Jack showed them all sorts of trick shots,and Ollie was eager to learn them. When he chipped the ball over acue, he punched the air.

“You see that?”

“Yeah, I saw it,” Rory said. “Myturn.”

He couldn’t chip a ball to savehislife, andeach time he missed, Ollie clutched his stomach andlaughed.

“Not so good at hittingpool balls.” Ollie mumbled.

Rory swung the cue his way. “Good athitting real ones.”

“Maybe that’s whySebastian’s avoiding you, you hit them too hard.”

Rory snorted, and shook his head. He leanedover the table for another try, and Jack came up behind him, andpushed his back down. “Get closer to the table, you’ll shootbetter.”

“Back off.”

Rory looked up at the sound ofSebastian’s growl. His eyes pulsed from his head as he stared atJack.

“I don’t want any trouble.” Jackblurted.

“You’ve got it.”

Rory stepped between them. “He’s onlyteaching me how to shoot.”

“Then why is he draping himselfover you?”

“I wasn’t.” Jack said,“Look, it wasRory’s idea anyway, he came over to us.”

“Did you?”

“Yeah—”

Sebastian stalked away, and Roryhurried after him. “Wait.”

“Trying to make mejealous?”

“I wasn’t. Iswear.”

“So what, you want him all overyou?”

“There was nothing init. I wentover there for Ollie.”

“What?”

“I’m making sure he’s got otherfriends apartfrom me.”

Rory stepped away from Sebastianand peeked a look down the wing. Ollie was laughing with Jack andGreen, cue in his hand, just like Rory wanted.

Sebastian sighed. “I’m sorry Ireacted likethat.”

“You’ve not been in a good placethesepastdays.”

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