Page 18 of Bones

“If I get this last one, we win.” Lacy got into position and took her shot, and when it dropped inside the cup, she jumped up and down. “And that’s how it’s done.”

“I demand a rematch!” Rooster fussed.

“I’d be down for that.” Elsie smiled at me as she asked, “What about you? You want to play another round?”

“Yeah, I could do one more round.” Knowing Rooster was itching to hook up with Lace, I suggested, “Why don’t we make it interesting and swap partners?”

“I’d be good with that.”

“Me, too.” Lacy sauntered over to Rooster and bumped him with her hip. “What do you think, partner?”

“I think we’re kicking some ass.”

“Don’t you know it!” She lifted her hand, giving him a quick high five, and then she turned to Elsie. “You two ready?”

“Absolutely.” Elsie gave me a wink as she said, “Let’s show ‘em how it’s done.”

Unlike the other girls, Elsie wasn't overly done up. She was wearing a vintage Van Halen t-shirt she'd gotten from her favorite thrift shop and a pair of baggy jeans, and her long, red hair was pulled up in a messy bun. Her relaxed look mirrored her easygoing personality. It was part of her charm, and one of the many reasons I enjoyed hanging out with her.

Elsie and I set up the cups, and after just a few shots, we had a pretty good lead. And I have to admit, I was having a pretty good time. I took another shot, and as soon as I made it, Elsie started dancing around in the crowd. “We’re on fire.”

Our game had gathered a few onlookers, including Savage, who slurred, “Yes, you are,” as he sauntered over. “Damn, girl. You’re looking all kind of good tonight.”

“Thanks, but I think you might have your beer googles on.”

“No, I’m good.” A smirk crossed his face as he said, “I’d be even better if you came over here and planted those sexy lips on mine.”

“I’m good right where I am. Thanks.”

“You’d be even better over here with me.”

A knot was growing in the pit of my stomach, and with every word out of Savage’s mouth, it was growing bigger and bigger. I didn’t like the way he was speaking to her and looking at her, and I had to fight the urge to knock him flat.

Savage was the president’s son and one of my closest friends. The last thing I wanted to do was get into a round with him, but seeing him disrespect Elsie had me seeing red.

He took another slug off his beer, then staggered closer to Elsie. He dropped his arm over her shoulder, then drew her into his chest. “Why don’t you and I continue the party back in my room?”

“I don’t think so, Ace.”

“Why not? I’d show you a real good time.”

“I’m sure you would, but I’m not interested.”

She gave him a bit of a shove, pushing him off her. He stumbled a bit, then complained, “Come on, baby. Don’t be like that.”

“I think you got your sights set on the wrong girl, brother,” I said to Savage.

He looked at me, then back over at Elsie. He studied her for a moment, then to my pleasant surprise, he shrugged and walked away. Knowing he was drunk, Elsie didn’t think much of their little exchange and continued on with the game. I, on the other, couldn’t stop thinking about it.

I knew then that what I felt for Elsie was more than friendship.

I tried to fight it, but over the years, that feeling only grew stronger.

Needless to say, I wasn’t happy about her going out with some other guy, but sadly, there wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it.

The drive to the house had not improved my mood. In fact, it had only made it worse, and it didn’t help matters that it was dark, and my place looked abandoned. I wasn’t exactly surprised. I hadn’t been home in over a week, and even then, I’d just come by to grab some clean clothes. I headed inside and dropped my keys on the counter. I stood there for a moment, just looking around at the place I called home.

The three-bedroom condo was relatively modern, with sleek lines and a muted color palate. The mix of dark grays and blacks gave it a masculine feel without making it feel too cold and uninviting. It could use a good cleaning, but I wasn’t in the mood. I was on edge and feeling restless, like a clock that had been wound too tight, and I was struggling to pull myself together.

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