Page 71 of Savannah Royals
“Are you joking?” I’m flabbergasted. “He sent you to spy on me?Here?”
Abe shrugs. “You know how Paul is, Kat.”
“I think you should go.”
“No, unfortunately, I’m here to stay.” He looks over my shoulder again. “Your friends are giving me the evil eye.”
“Well, let’s see.” I tap my finger against my lip. “Mellie thinks you’re my secret beau from the Catacombs, and Matthew…”
“Also thinks I’m your secret beau. Dilly.” Abe sticks his hands in his pockets, annoyed. “Well, I’m not here for a pissing contest or to start a race riot, so let’s go set the record straight, shall we?” He shoulders around me and heads for the pool table. Shocked, I hurry to catch up.
“Good evening.” Abe extends a hand to Matthew and flashes a big smile. “I’m Abe.”
I almost hit the deck when he gives his real name. Mellie’s jaw is on the floor.
“I’m Matthew.” He does Abe a credit just by returning the shake. The collective crowd in the billiard room is watching him—MatthewDaMolin—closely. They’ll take their cue from him. “How do you know Katarina?”
“Oh, Kat and I go way back,” Abe drawls. Matthew’s eyes register his casual use of my nickname. “We grew up together. Old friends.”
Mellie starts fanning herself. Her histrionics catch Abe’s attention, so he turns to her.
“Abe.” He offers his name and hand again. His eyes slide over her figure from head to toe, lingering ever so slightly on her soft curves, her flushed face.
Don’t you dare be a dog, Abe,I warn him with a look. I know what he likes, but my roommate is absolutely off limits.
Mellie gives the barest of return shakes, likely trying to avoid his highly contagious Catacomb-itis. “Melinda. I’m Kat’s roommate,” she says weakly.
“Pleasure to finally meet you, Melinda. Kat has told me much about you.”
“Indeed?” The tenor of her voice skyrockets, and her cheeks, if possible, blush even deeper.
Abe smiles, biting his lip and giving her one final appreciative glance before turning to Bobby. When the last introduction is complete, all eyes in the group turn to me.
Unexpectedly, it’s Matthew who steps in for the save. “We were about to start a game. Would you care to join us?” he asks Abe, polite beyond reproach.
“Sure. Kat and I used to play pool together all the time,” Abe answers, grinning like the imp he is. “It’s been a while though.”
Oh, sweet lord. The strip pool…
Matthew’s head whips to me, a question and an accusation burning in his eyes.
I sway on the spot. Mellie reaches to grab me, but I lean into Matthew’s ear instead. Damage control, the swifter the better.
“He’s just a friend, I swear,” I whisper to him. “I will tell you everything later tonight.” Well, almost everything.
Vaguely reassured, he reaches for the pool stick. Then Mellie does what she does best—throws me to the wolves.
“You know, I’m honestly quite terrible at this game,” she declares, backing away. “I’ll sit this round out. You can take my spot, Abe. I was partnering with Matthew.”
“I’m not sure that will be fair.” I try to keep my tone light. Abe and Matthew on the same team? They’ll destroy us. Only with Matthew tied to a Mellie-sized anchor did Bobby and I stand a chance.
“Who said anything about fair?” Matthew’s grin is devilish. “Remember when we decided losing was good for you?”
Abe smiles lazily, very much liking the sound of that. He looks at Matthew, an alliance forming. That’s when I know I’m in real trouble.
“You got a good break?” Matthew asks, tossing his pool cue to Abe.
Abe smirks and bends over the table, a quiet groan slipping between his teeth. The barest of grimaces crosses his face as he exhales. It’s pure instinct to reach for him. I brush my fingers over his injured ribs, concerned.
