Page 43 of Enforcing the Rules

“That’s not what Bill said.”

She had me there. Me and my big mouth. I never should have told her any of that. “Okay. Fine.”

“Since we’re here, let’s play a game,” Lizzie suggested, moving to an open table. “Loser buys the beer.”

“You’re on.”

Lizzie racked them up while I picked a cue and chalked the end of the stick.

“You want stripes or solids?”

“You don’t get to call it. You have to sink it.”

“Oh, right.”

I leaned over and lined up the cue ball, making the break shot. Balls scattered everywhere, but none dropped.

Lizzie was up next and missed horribly, and we both laughed. I scooted her out of the way and bent to check the angles. I felt a poke in my ribs a moment before Lizzie’s hissed voice carried to me.

“Kate. Check out who just walked in.”

I straightened, looking toward the front door, expecting to see my father, but my eyes widened when I saw Utah and Memphis stroll in.

Utah’s head turned as he scanned the crowd, heading toward the bar. I dropped in a panic, trying to hide. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to see him, but I’d kind of run out on him, and I wasn’t sure how he’d taken that.

Lizzie squatted next to me. “What are you doing?

“Hiding,” I hissed.

“Why?”

I didn’t know. “I should just go over there and say hello, right?”

“Too late.” She peered over the green felt. “They’re headed this way.” She popped to her feet, and I did the same, keeping my back to the room and pretending to search through my purse for something, hoping they’d pass us by. We were in the very back of the room.

“Kate.”

My eyes slid closed. Shit.

I pasted on a smile and turned. “Oh, hey, Utah. What brings you up here?”

“Lookin’ for somebody.” His eyes swept over me and heated. I was in low cut jeans and a sleeveless white button-up shirt, tied up above my waist, exposing my belly button. “You look pretty.” His eyes moved to the table. “You play pool?”

“I do.”

“You any good?”

I shrugged. “Probably not as good as you.”

“That’s a lie. She’s fantastic.” Lizzie felt the need to pipe in, and I gave her a death look.

“Then let’s play doubles,” Memphis suggested and winked at Lizzy. “You and me against Utah and Kate. You in?”

Lizzie stared at me wide-eyed.

“Fine,” I said.

“Looks like an open table. Whose turn is it?” Utah asked.

---