Page 40 of Steele

“You’re solids, so you could hit the nine into the six to drop it into the side pocket.”

“Okay.” She bent over the table, slid the cue stick between her fingers, hit the cue ball, and sent the nine-ball spinning to the left, clanking it against several others. She tracked the balls moving across the table, but none dropped into pockets. “That sucks.”

“Not really. You gave McKelle an impossible set up. Consider it a defensive offense.” We stepped back over to the bistro table. Jaymi sat on the stool and sipped her whiskey.

McKelle decided on a shot. She bent her arm at an odd angle, nicked the cue and sank the ten-ball. She repositioned, slid the cue stick against her fingers, and hit the ball hard. Two balls were sent spinning toward the pockets. And they both dropped in.

Jaymi leaned into me. Ice clinked in her glass as she finished her double. “Hmm. I think we might be in trouble.” A light laugh slipped past her lips. The whiskey had us both feeling good. “I should probably stick to cornhole. I’m better at throwing things.”

Vega grumbled. “McKelle’s a fucking machine. She doesn’t lose.”

McKelle set up to make another shot when Cruz vaulted over the rail, came up behind her, and kissed the side of her neck.

“Break her concentration,” Vega said.

Cruz chuckled. “How much is she taking you for?”

“Not me,” he said and nodded to Jaymi.

“She already won on the break.” McKelle leaned into the table and sank another ball.

Kodiak approached with the drinks. Rizz followed him up, sidestepped Cruz, wrapped his arms around McKelle, and kissed her. His hand slid onto her ass.

“Fuck. Here we go.” Kodiak groaned and drank his beer.

Rizz broke from the kiss. “Fuck you,” he said and popped up to sit on the railing.

“After that kiss, I’m up for it.” Kodiak pointed his beer toward Mckelle and Cruz. “You think Cruz and your old lady would be down to share?”

“Never happen,” Cruz said. “Rizz and McKelle are both mine.” He hooked his hand around McKelle’s neck. “Tank and I are about ready to take off. Are you staying here tonight?”

“Yes. I’ll see you in the morning,” she said. “I’m meeting Kiss and Blue for an NA meeting. Kiss is giving a talk about relapse and recovery at the community center.” She tipped her face for a kiss. “Wake me up when you get home.”

Cruz slammed his mouth into hers and kissed her in an obscene tangle of tongues. Jaymi shifted on her seat, her gaze darting between Cruz and Rizz. My cock kicked and my balls tightened, knowing she was turned on watching them.

Rizz’s gaze narrowed, and his hands gripped the rail. When they parted, Cruz tugged Rizz from the rail and crashed his lips into Rizz’s. The kiss was just as wild.

Jaymi sucked in a little breath beside me. She tapped my chest. I leaned down, and she whispered in my ear. “He’s wearing a gun.”

Cruz wore black jeans, boots, and a black henley…and he had a nine-millimeter harnessed against his ribs. “He works nights. Security for some rich fucks.”

“Is that why he isn’t wearing a motorcycle vest?”

“His cut.” I pointed to the patches on mine. “My road name and patch on the back represents the club colors. Bottom rocker is our territory. Cuts are sacred to a biker. Rizz is a prospect. You can tell because he doesn’t have the Heller Raiders patch on the back. He has to earn it.”

Tank hollered for Cruz.

“Dad’s getting mad,” Kodiak said. “Better run along.”

“You should know not to piss him off,” Cruz said and then kissed McKelle one more time with a quick smack of lips.

“Be careful,” Rizz called after Cruz as he rushed to catch up with Tank.

“I need to get back to work.” Rizz kissed McKelle then went back behind the bar.

As Jaymi finished her second double Jack on the rocks, McKelle sank the rest of her balls. After, Vega and Pike racked the balls for another game. I sat with Kodiak while McKelle, Brenna, and Jaymi decided to drink shots. They had her laughing, really fucking laughing, until she had tears in her eyes.

It might’ve taken a few drinks, but she seemed to be having a good time.