Page 20 of Last Mile

After about an hour of trying to avoid her and my out-of-control sexual thoughts, I somehow managed to end up at the pool table where she and Marley were playing. Just as I thought about running away, Marley handed me his stick. “Why don’t you try a round? I’m getting my ass kicked and my wallet fleeced at the moment.”

With a chuckle, I motioned to one of our newest patch members, Crazy Ace. “He’s a real hustler.”

Marley groaned. “Don’t I know it?”

Motioning to the pool table, I said, “Rack ’em up. Let’s see if you can do any better against me.”

Samantha shook her head. “He’s just going to end up embarrassing himself by having to bum money off me.”

“Hey, now,” Marley countered with a smile.

“Truth hurts, babe,” Samantha said before leaning up to kiss Marley. I fought the urge to toss my stick on the table and walk away. Instead, I took the chalk and rubbed some on my cue.

A tap on my shoulder had me whirling around. It was Joe Casterini, or Jolting Joe, our newest prospect. He was also the bartender when we had parties. “Hey, B, we’re just about out of beer on tap.”

I nodded. “Take one of the other prospects and run down to the warehouse. There should be some kegs there.”

“Sounds like a plan except I’m the only prospect here tonight,” Joe replied.

“Shit. That’s right.”

Holding up his hand, Joe said, “I can totally handle it alone.”

Even if he couldn’t make it up the hill with the steel keg, he knew as a prospect he shouldn’t try to pussy out of a situation. I glanced over at Marley. “Hey, man, want to help out?”

He grinned as he set his beer down on the pool table’s edge.

“You bet your ass I’m down for anything that involves more beer.”

With a laugh, I said, “Glad you’re so eager to help.”

“Seriously, though. I’ve been thinking about what you said about joining up with the club. Figure that helping out and pitching in is all part of it, right?” Marley asked.

“Yeah. It sure as hell is.”

“Then I’m always down for that.”

I smacked him on the back. “Can see that one.”

Joe waved his hand. “Come on, man. Let’s get this shit taken care of before the natives get restless.”

“Okay,” Marley said. He then followed Joe out of the roadhouse.

When I turned back to the others, I noticed it wasn’t just Crazy Ace and Samantha anymore. One of the newest sweet butts appeared to be glued to Crazy Ace’s side. As she whispered in his ear, his eyes got glassy, and I knew that pool was the last thing on his mind.

“See ya later, B,” he said as he let the girl lead him away to one of the back rooms.

That left me all alone with Samantha. We stood in awkward silence for a few seconds before I held out a stick to her. “You play?”

She shrugged. “A little.”

“Then let’s have a go.”

Samantha took the stick. “Just promise you’ll go easy on me.”

“I’ll try,” I said.

“Good.”