Page 4 of Fallen Cowboy
“She’s grown up,” I told Markus, who only nodded.
“Her ex, the douche, skipped town when he found she was pregnant. I never wanted to murder someone before, but I came close. She begged me not to, said she’d raise her, and we all helped. But if I ever see him again, or if anyone hurts her, I’ll make sure they never walk again.”
Markus has always been loyal to his family; I always loved that about him. But it seemed like in the time I’ve been gone; he’s gotten much more vocal about anyone hurting his little sister. Which, after this, I guess was a damn good thing.
I pulled up to the local bar, the only place with decent music and cold beer. I could have stayed at home but didn’t need to hear my mom going on and on over pointless things. And after being with Markus for the afternoon, going over some of things he’d need help with, I needed a break.
So, finally being of age to step into Joe’s for a drink, I thought going there would be better.
Have some beers, take a moment to breathe, hell, maybe even find some random chick to screw.
Granted, I knew better than that because here, there was no random one. Everyone knew everyone. The pleasure and curses of small towns.
“Well, look what the cat dragged in,” Joe said, nodding his head to me as I sat down on a bar stool.
“I know, I know. Been getting it for a few days now.”
“It’s about time you came home. The circuit is hard on the body.”
“It sure is.”
“So, finally in here to actually buy a beer?”
I grinned at him as the memories came back of raising hell with Markus and a few other buddies in school. “Yes, sir.”
“Coming right up, Troy.”
I nodded my thanks and then turned to take in the scene. There were quite a few crowded tables, some people on the dance floor, and a crowded pool table, with none other than Anelise in the middle of the crowd. Once my beer was on the counter, I made my way over, checking in the scene.
“Last round boys,” she said, lining up the final ball and sinking it in without a problem. “Pay up,” she told them, her hand out of the pile of cash they were putting in.
“You’ve gotten good,” I told her, setting my bottle down on the table.
“Practice. I had to learn to beat Markus.”
“I think you can. Think you can beat me?”
“No problem, Troy. Shall we bet on it?”
“Sure,” I told her, grabbing a cue stick. “Name the terms?”
“First one to get all their balls in, wins. If I win, you get to do the dishes for a day.”
“Damn, you all got a full house with the staff. But I’ll take it. And if I win,” I told her, sliding over to her and whispering in her ear, “I get to kiss you.”
I could hear the sharp intake of her breath, glad to hear that I seemed to work her up like she was working me.
Twenty minutes later, I hit my last solid ball into the side pocket, grinning at her clenched jaw. She was good, I had to give her that, but I still played pool while on the road, so I hadn’t lost my skills.
“Sorry, Anelise.”
Her glare turned on me, and I laughed. She could try to look tough. And maybe to her little girl, or some ranch hands, she would be. But to me, it just set my blood boiling.
“Pay up time.”
“You were serious,” she whispered.
I could only nod. Because somehow, I managed to keep a level head while playing but all I could think about was her lips on mine.
