Page 7 of Fight for You

Once he stood up, I placed my palm on his lower back and guided him to the pool table. His cheeks were fiery by the time we arrived, but he didn't pull away.

I grabbed two cue sticks from the holder and rubbed them with chalk while Avery racked the balls. Once he lifted the triangle, I handed him a stick and asked, “Want to break?”

“Sure.” Avery placed the cue ball in the center of the table and leaned down to line up his shot. I took the opportunity to admire his ass, which looked especially cute in his khakis.

My attention was pulled away from the glorious sight by the sound of resin balls clacking together. I looked up in time to see the red seven ball zip into the left corner pocket, while the blue two ball fell into the right.

“Shit,” I mumbled, making him chuckle. He then sank the green six ball into the left center, followed by the orange five. I realized I was watching with my mouth gaping open when he laughed again. “How are you so good at this?”

“I guess it's my mathematical brain,” he shrugged. “I see what angle I need to shoot from.”

“Shit,” I repeated, realizing I probably wouldn't even get a turn.

As if he read my mind, Avery jutted his chin at me and said, “You take a shot. I want to watch you.”

The pressure was on. He was so good, and I may have exaggerated my abilities. There was probably no way I could impress him; I just didn't want to embarrass myself. I held my breath and tapped the cue ball. I completely missed the blue striped ten ball I was aiming for, but all was not lost; the cue ball bounced off the side wall and happened to knock into the purple stripes twelve ball, dropping it into the pocket.

“Nice shot!” Avery cheered. It was aluckyshot, but I would certainly take the compliment.

“Thanks.” I bounced my eyebrows and asked, “Are you nervous now?”

“Not even a little bit.”

He knew he was good, and I loved the unexpected wave of confidence. His self-assured side was as attractive to me as his shy side. And I particularly enjoyed his backside.

I lined up another shot, but I didn't luck out this time. Ibarelymissed the thirteen ball, and the cue ball came to rest in the center of the table. Avery shocked me by sending me a wink before taking his own shot. He sank the rest of the solid balls into the pockets before effortlessly dropping in the eight ball, ending our game.

“Wow,” I said finally, unable to come up with anything more intelligent. Avery chuckled as he replaced our cue sticks, and a naughty idea came to my mind. “You won fair and square; you'll get your second date.”

He tried to hide his smile as he turned to face me. “Pretty sure that wasyourbet. I believeIwon a free session.”

I tapped on my chin before shaking my head. “That's not what I remember. I can clearly recall you requesting a second date, and I'm here to make that happen.”

He no longer appeared to be fighting a grin. “Troy, I…I don't think I can.”

I couldn’t hide my surprise and disappointment when I answered, “Oh.” But I didn't want him to feel guilty, so I slapped on a fake smile and added, “It's okay; I understand.” It was a lie; I thought we were having a great time together.

“I don't think you do,” he replied quietly, “And that's my fault for giving mixed signals. Trust me, I like you. Ireallydo, but believe me when I say it wouldn't work out between us.”

Every cell in my body knew he was wrong, but I would never pressure him. All I could hope to do was change his mind; to make him see we were a great match. I'd never force him, but that didn't mean I had to stop trying. Not when I knew I could make him happy.

“Shall we go to the gym, then?”

Avery blinked. “You still want to?”

“Of course I do. Besides, I owe you a free session.” I winked at him and he gave me a sweet smile.

“Thanks, Big Mac.” My nickname on his lips gave me a thrill, and even more determination to fight for him and win him over.

Chapter Three

Avery

What the hell am I doing? The hottest, sweetest man I've ever met took me on a date, opened his heart up to me, and asked me on a second date, and I said no?

The thoughts whipped around my mind as Troy and I walked to the gym together. He was keeping an arm's length between us, and while I appreciated the respect, I hated it at the same time. I wished for him to put his hand on my back like before.

The worst part was that I knew I could have it, but I turned it down, just like I turned down a second date. I was still in shock over Troy asking for thefirstone, let alone another. I was just as surprised that Iwentto the first one. I had avoided dating altogether for so long.

---