AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I didn’t think he’d be like that...”
The balls ricocheted around the table, the clunk of more falling loud in the room.
Finn said something and Joq knew it was to ask if he was ever going to get another shot.
George was grinning at him, then coming over to stand close by Finn’s side. His hands were on top of the pool cue as he surveyed his options for the eight ball. He reached out with the cue and pointed at the bottom corner pocket.
“He’s been good for him.”
Finn was shaking his head, a disbelieving smile on his face.
“Who, Finn?” Joq asked.
“Yeah.”
George was leaning over to take the shot. Joq looked at Finn watching him.
“Given him a lot of confidence,” she said.
Joq snorted. “Don’t think George needs help in that department.”
He could feel her quizzical look beside him, but he was stuck on Finn’s expression—impressed, yes, but fond too.
Her silence stretched and he was forced to look at her or risk committing a social faux pas.
“George is about the most confident guy I know,” he said.
He heard the balls crack and glanced back.
George had sunk the eight ball and as he tossed the cue on the table and moved at the same time, he smiled at Finn. Finn shook his head. George ruffled his hair as he went by and Finn asked for a rematch.
Fortunately, Scotty came over and scooped up the cue and told George he was about to get his ass kicked. “No more taunting the rookies!”
George laughed and his face shifted to the way he usually looked at the guys. That was not how he looked at Finn.
Finn was taking a seat at the bar. Lacy was next to him, mouth moving. Finn giggled, his big body shaking, and George looked up from racking the balls and smiled softly at him.
“Even George needs someone to tell him that sometimes,” Cara said. It was bordering on critical.
Joq looked at her, chastised.
“Believe me, I tell him. I think maybe your parents could’ve stepped up a bit more in that department,” he replied and couldn’t believe himself. It was fucking Finn. Watching Finn moon all over George; it made him mad, and now he was taking it out on Cara.
She looked surprised.
“I know they haven’t been the best,” she started.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. It’s not—
“No, it’s. It hasn’t been fair on him. On either of you.”
“We really don’t have to discuss it.”
“Okay,” she said after a moment, her gaze travelling over to George kicking Scotty’s ass at pool. “I’m just glad to see him happy now.”
And what the fuck did that mean?
“Yeah,” he breathed out. “He’s good. I’m gonna… beer. You good?”
