Page 16 of The Shame Game

“You’ll pay for that later,” he called after her as she crossed the room.

“Counting on it,” she called back, and ran up the steps.

He was checking to make sure he had plenty of the flavored seltzer Cade preferred when heavier footsteps sounded on the stairs. Nick walked into the room, a smile of greeting on his face that fell away when he saw the pool table. “Whoa.”

James grinned. “Happy New Year.”

“Yeah, right.” Nick stepped up to the table and laid a reverent hand on the carved wood. “Where did this beauty come from?”

“Christmas gift from Amanda,” James replied, and tilted his head toward the bar. “Want a drink?”

“In a minute.” Eyes glued to the table, Nick circled it slowly. “Have I ever told you that you have excellent taste in wives?”

James laughed. “Once or twice.”

“Well, it bears repeating.” Nick lifted his head, a look of awe on his bearded face. “This is fucking awesome.”

“I know. I’ve been so busy since Christmas that I haven’t had time for a game.”

“You haven’t played on it?” Nick stared. “Atall?”

James shook his head. “I was hoping we could have a mini tournament tonight.”

“Hell, yes.” Nick glanced around, spotted the rack of cues on the wall, and strode over to choose his weapon. “Who’s going to break?”

“Jack and Cade are coming,” James said, amused. “You want to maybe wait for them?”

“Hell, no.” Nick pulled down a cue. “They’re late, I’m not. Let’s play pool.”

James laughed and crossed to the rack to choose his own cue. “All right. Nine ball, my break. Rack ’em.”

They were halfway through the first game when Jack and Cade arrived, and after some debate it was determined that Cade and Jack would play the second game, then the winners would play.

As luck would have it, James lost to Nick and Jack lost to Cade, so Jack cracked the bottle of scotch he’d brought as a belated Christmas gift, and the two men settled in with a drink to watch the winners’ match.

“We were sorry you couldn’t make it to the club holiday party,” James began.

Jack nodded, swirling the amber liquid in his glass before taking a sip. “I’m sorry I missed it. Especially the show.”

“The show?”

Jack gestured with his glass, the thick silver ring on his middle finger glinting in the light. “Nick and his new lady love.”

“Ah. It was touch and go there for a while, but it all worked out in the end.”

“He’s got fucking stars in his eyes, so I guess so.” Jack grinned as Nick sank his ball. “At least they’re not messing up his aim.”

They watched Nick sink another ball, then miss on a bank shot and step back from the table with a scowl for Cade to take over.

“How’s the liquor supply business going?” James ventured.

“Can’t complain.” Jack crossed his legs and leaned back in the chair, the picture of relaxed elegance in trim slacks and crisp white shirt. The tattoos peeking out from under the open French cuffs added an edge to the image of the polished urban professional. “People love to drink during the holidays. It’s been tough to find time to play, though.”

“Are you still seeing Clarice?”

Jack shook his head. “Things fizzled there. She was down to play, but not much else.”

James eyed his friend, a little surprised. “That’s a problem for you?”

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