A/N: This post was a long time in the making. Thanks for your patience,
and I promise that you'll like the next post a hell of a lot more. This
will not being another one of the infamous unfinished PreciousJax stories.
Now R&R damn it!
Super huge thanks to Cat for making the ending ten times sweeter.
Part 2:
The throbbing beat of the hip-hop music rattled his bones even before he stepped through the doors. Crash, Alec thought with slight disdain, the name seemed appropriate. Maybe who ever had picked out this particular section of town got into a car accident and thus suffered brain damage. The only reason anyone would possibly pick this place for a hang out is if they were really, really stupid, really, really suicidal, or really, really transgenic. Even as he crossed the street to enter the club, an obviously drunk man was being thrown into a wall and beaten. Alec wasn't quite sure if it was petty robbery or just some gang-bangers with nothing better to do. Either way, he wasn't out to play humanitarian tonight, so he politely kept his eyes averted and walked past without a second thought.
He didn't know what made him pull over his car and stop outside the club. Certainly not the security, or that he knew his car would be there when he got back. But when he was heading back to his apartment after a nice dinner at low scale sports bar. The drinks were good, the steaks were not. Maybe if he would have had a few more of those of those drinks, the steaks would have been better. In any case, he wasn't even interested in company that night. His original plans had been to go back to the apartment, see if there was anything worth watching on the small TV that he'd bought with his earnings from the first night of cage fights last weekend. But then he heard the music and on impulse he'd pulled his car into what he assumed to be a parking spot. It wasn't often he followed impulses so trivial as this, but he was drawn inside.
The bad thing was impulses rarely made sense to him. And now that he was inside the club, he studied it non-objectively and instantly wanted to turn and walk back out. The building was crumbling and they were definitely paying off the building inspectors, otherwise this place would have been condemned a long time ago. While the sound system was good, the music coming out of said system was enough to make him cry. It was that bad. A waitress rudely knocked him aside, allowing him to see a plate full of fries, limp with their own grease, a hamburger that wasn't guaranteed to be made of beef. Obviously, they didn't come for the architecture, the music, or the food. Maybe they came for the blonde standing on a table in the corner who was wasted and quickly shedding her clothes while the bouncers, who should have been kicking her drunken ass out, threw dollar bills at her.
If it hadn't been for the blonde, he would have turned and left. As it was, he ordered a beer from the large, bald black man who manned the bar, and settled down at an empty table in the back corner. It was basically empty, except the scantily clad black woman and pasty white guy in wanna-be punk clothes. They were both staring at the stripping drunk with the same amount of interest. That said a lot.
Alec decided he was giving the place twenty minutes of his time. That's how long he figured it'd take the stripping blonde to pass out. By then, he figured if he didn't find another stripping drunk, then he was going home.
It was times like these he thanked the Director for burning Manticore to the ground. Sure, there were genetic anomalies running around, there was always a chance that he'd be grabbed while walking down the street and chopped up for spare parts, and that he wouldn't make it through the night. But having the simple choice of deciding where to waste his time was reason enough for him. He'd once preached to Max about the joys of Manticore life. Shame he never believed in them himself.
He just about choked on his drink when he saw the very person he was just thinking of walk through the door. He mentally swore a litany of curses that revealed his military background as she crossed the room. He was cornered. There was no escape. He didn't feel like dealing with her tonight. Just when the bruise was just starting to fade.
He wasn't going to be a wuss, he thought as he turned in his chair to face the wall, he was going to be a man. That's why he didn't dive under the table. Maybe.maybe she just wouldn't see him.
"Hey boo!" He heard the black woman from the table next to him call. Oh sweet Jesus, he thought, if Max sat down there. How could he have possibly picked the table next to the one person in here that Max knew?
Even with his enhanced hearing he wasn't quite able to pick up Max's muttered reply. He heard the groan of the cheap wooden chair as Max flopped down onto it. Sweat began to pool at the base of his neck when he realized that Max had to turn a good three inches to see him. His only escape would be to walk by her and that was just as risky as sitting there and hoping to wait her out.
Screwed if he did. Screwed if he didn't.
He ignored his surroundings a moment as his mental commentary took over his rational thoughts. Why was he so afraid of her? The one side of his brain wondered. The other side of his brain would have denied it, but he heard the black woman speak again, and it was enough to pique his interest and have him leaning forward so he could hear better.
"Max." Greasy Guy said with a leer. Alec wondered if Max realized that this guy mentally undressed her probably every time they were in the same room together. That was just the optimistic estimate. Greasy Boy might have said more, but like most raging drunks, he didn't have the attention span to remember what pathetic pick up line he wanted to use on Max, and his vision circled back to the main point of interest in the room. She used to be the stripping blonde, but now she was just the naked one. Not that Alec was about to complain.
"Sketchy," Max began with a condescending glare. "You're wasted."
"I'm so glad you're here to make these stunning observations for me." The black woman muttered under her breath. "I don't know what I'd do without you." Alec smirked.
"I think I'm going to go offer that especially fine specimen over there the pleasure of my company." Sketchy said as he lurched to his feet. Whatever mother would name their kid Sketchy, Alec thought, must have not heard that little thing about not drinking when she was pregnant. It would explain so much. Personally, he'd been fine with X5-494 being the only identification having to worry about. Though, it made it difficult to blend in with a society of Jims and Toms when you were 494. Alec it was, Alec it would stay, at least till he thought of a good reason to change it.
"I don't think you want to do that." Max said wisely, standing to try and pull the staggering Sketchy back to their table.
"No no no." The black woman said, stopping Max. "The woman's been eyeing Sketch up all night. Let wigga' take a shot with home girl." Max sat back down as Sketchy headed off.
"Was she really eyeing him?" Max asked after a long moment.
"What do you think?" She asked with a grin.
"You're mean." Max said, fighting her own smile.
"Don't I know it? It'll teach him to get so drunk he doesn't know when I'm messin' with his head."
"It's a lesson I learned fast." Max said confidently, grabbing the remainder of Sketchy's beer
"Not fast enough to avoid karaoke night." She laughed at Max's quick look of surprise. "Don't you remember, like a year and a half ago, you were all over the bar singing some jacked up song. I had to drag your ass out of here before you got us kicked out for good. They didn't teach you military brats how to sing, did they?"
It took Alec a minute to realize that no only did Max tell this random chick about Manticore, they were going to sit around talking about it in the middle of a crowded bar. What an idiot.
"I don't remember this." Max said, the expression on her face one of pure horror.
"Maybe its best that you not." The woman replied with a comforting pat on the arm, carefully avoiding eye contact. Alec wondered if he was the only one who could tell, even at a different table, that she was completely bullshitting Max. He was beginning to like her, not even knowing her name.
"So now that we're alone, you mind telling me what's bugging you?"
"Nothing's wrong." Max said quickly.
"Uh huh."
"Really." Max insisted.
"Sure."
Alec rolled his eyes and silently counted, waiting for Max to sob out her pathetic story of the plight of her life. It was all he could do not to ask her to hold on a second so he could run and get his violin.
"It's Logan." Max said with an audible sigh. Alec smiled into his drink. Trouble in paradise? He wondered.
"What's the problem, boo? Spill it to Original Cindy."
He wondered if Max named her too. His respect for the woman dropped about three notches when he found out her name. These people had no self- respect, letting themselves be called these ridiculous names.
"It's enough that this virus keeps us apart, but now we can barely stand in the same room with each other without getting into a fight about something."
This was a conversation he could get into. Hearing about other's relationship reminded him why he would never subject himself to that drama.
After a long moments hesitation, Max spoke in a monotone voice that had Alec grinning. She sounded so pathetic. It was all he could do not to laugh. "I don't know how much longer I can stand it."
He wondered if he should practice feeling bad about that. Nah, he got an order. If Max didn't understand that, then she'd forgotten everything that her precious martyr brother had taught her.
"You went a year claiming that there was nothing between you." Original Cindy said calmly. "You guys can go another month or two till you figure this bitch out."
"It's not even that. We could handle that. I mean, we spent a year apart, what's another couple of month in the long scheme of things?" Even as she said this, Max fidgeted with the edge of her napkin. She took a deep breath and then spoke quickly. "I think he's seeing someone else."
"Yeah right." Original Cindy instantly snapped. "You know as well as I do that he isn't seeing someone else."
"Then why did he practically kick me out of his place, saying he had to do some stuff. Whenever I walk in, he hangs up the phone. Whenever I ask if he wants to do something, he's got somewhere else to be."
"He's probably doing some of his Clark Kent shit." Original Cindy waved a hand in front of her face in dismissal.
"When I ask, he'll never tell me what it's about." Max shot back. "He's always told me about work, even when I didn't want to hear about it. Why would he all of a sudden stop? Unless he wasn't doing work and he was seeing someone else."
Alec pursed his lips and considered this. There was some distant emotion, one he could not yet identify, starting to mix in with the nonchalant humor.
Max and Original Cindy's words blended together as he zoned out on their conversation. 'I know all I need to know.' He thought with a smirk into his drink. So there was trouble in paradise? She'd destroyed everything that he'd known in his life for nothing more than her misguided sense of love. They'd been taught better than that.
Maybe he should thank her, though. Manticore offered security, but Alec was quickly learning that there was some pleasure to be found in spontaneity. He realized that in a small way, he almost felt bad that things weren't working out for Max.
Then he wondered why he suddenly cared.
He debated this silently for several moments before finally coming to the conclusion that it was just all the time he'd been spending with sentimental people finally getting to him. When he looked up, Max was alone, with Original Cindy nowhere in sight. Max was staring at the table, her face completely neutral, but you could practical feel the waves of sadness coming off her.
Stupid norms and their stupid need to comfort people.
"Hey Max." He said for a lack of anything better. Her eyes snapped up and locked on his face so fast, it was a wonder she didn't hurt anything. Surprise, annoyance, embarrassment all swirled together in her eyes. She had very expressive eyes.
"How long have you been there?" She asked at length.
"Its basic custom to return one's greeting before you go all Spanish inquisition on them." Alec said as he picked up his drink and moved to Original Cindy's now vacated seat.
"I don't recall giving you permission to sit there." Max said, not so subtly sliding her chair away.
"With your manners, I'd have waited all night."
Max smiled sweetly. "That says something, doesn't it?"
"Oh come on, Max!" Alec said with a smile, leaning closer to her. "That's just downright unfriendly! Just because you're in a bitchy mood doesn't mean you have to take it out on the rest of us."
"I'm not taking it out of everyone. I'm taking it out on *you*." Max placed her hands on his chest and shoved Alec back in his chair. "So take a hint and leave me the hell alone." Max dropped a handful of crinkled dollar bills on the table. "I'm out of here."
Alec grabbed Max's hand before she could retreat with the simple flick of his wrist. "You know why you hate me so much, Max?" He asked with an easy smile.
"Because you're a total asshole with out a single idea of responsibility, morals, or any common sense? That you're conceited, you use people, and you only care about yourself?"
Alec's grin spread. "Well, sure, but you also barely know me."
"I know all I need to know." Max attempted to pull her hand away.
"Why don't you stop passing judgment for five minutes and sit the down and have a drink with me?"
"Why don't you get the hell off me?" But Max found she sitting down nonetheless.
"Good girl." Alec praised, searching the crowd for one of the few waitresses that roamed the club. It would take ten times longer to get their drinks, but at least he wouldn't risk getting up to get them himself and having Max be gone by the time he got back.
Max sighed. "Please don't piss me off tonight, I really don't feel like being here."
"Well then, how about a game of pool?" Alec asked with a superior smile.
Max quickly found herself forgetting she'd ever been upset to begin with. Somehow, without her even realizing it, Alec had managed to worm his way through her gloomy mood. "Sorry, Max." Alec said quietly. "But you don't have a chance in hell of making that shot."
Max shot him a challenging smile. "Corner pocket." She said, pointing to the left with her stick. The small crowd around them fell completely silent as she took her shot. The ball rolled slowly and dramatically towards its destination, seeming to freeze on the edge of the pocket before silently dropping in. It wasn't silent much longer as the spectators burst into loud hoots and cheers.
Alec grinned, resting his chin on his stick nonchalantly. "Nice shot, Max." He said with a small smile. "But you haven't got a chance in hell of getting the eight ball."
Max threw her head back and laughed. "Do you enjoy losing?"
"I'm not going to lose this one." Alec insisted, but counted three of the striped balls still on the table. "Well, I'm not going to lose the next one."
"You've lost three straight games and you're still insisting that you're letting me win." Max said shaking her head. She draped herself across the table and silently tapped the side pocket with the tip of her stick. The black eight ball coasted into the pocked with out hesitation.
And the crowd went absolutely wild. Max found a free beer pushed into her hands, several pats on the back, one affectionate slap on the ass from one drunk individual, and several indecent proposals. All the while, wondering the best approach to rubbing her victory in Alec's face.
Neither of them knew how she went from flaunting her victory by the pool table to flaunting a hell of a lot more than that in his bed.
Super huge thanks to Cat for making the ending ten times sweeter.
Part 2:
The throbbing beat of the hip-hop music rattled his bones even before he stepped through the doors. Crash, Alec thought with slight disdain, the name seemed appropriate. Maybe who ever had picked out this particular section of town got into a car accident and thus suffered brain damage. The only reason anyone would possibly pick this place for a hang out is if they were really, really stupid, really, really suicidal, or really, really transgenic. Even as he crossed the street to enter the club, an obviously drunk man was being thrown into a wall and beaten. Alec wasn't quite sure if it was petty robbery or just some gang-bangers with nothing better to do. Either way, he wasn't out to play humanitarian tonight, so he politely kept his eyes averted and walked past without a second thought.
He didn't know what made him pull over his car and stop outside the club. Certainly not the security, or that he knew his car would be there when he got back. But when he was heading back to his apartment after a nice dinner at low scale sports bar. The drinks were good, the steaks were not. Maybe if he would have had a few more of those of those drinks, the steaks would have been better. In any case, he wasn't even interested in company that night. His original plans had been to go back to the apartment, see if there was anything worth watching on the small TV that he'd bought with his earnings from the first night of cage fights last weekend. But then he heard the music and on impulse he'd pulled his car into what he assumed to be a parking spot. It wasn't often he followed impulses so trivial as this, but he was drawn inside.
The bad thing was impulses rarely made sense to him. And now that he was inside the club, he studied it non-objectively and instantly wanted to turn and walk back out. The building was crumbling and they were definitely paying off the building inspectors, otherwise this place would have been condemned a long time ago. While the sound system was good, the music coming out of said system was enough to make him cry. It was that bad. A waitress rudely knocked him aside, allowing him to see a plate full of fries, limp with their own grease, a hamburger that wasn't guaranteed to be made of beef. Obviously, they didn't come for the architecture, the music, or the food. Maybe they came for the blonde standing on a table in the corner who was wasted and quickly shedding her clothes while the bouncers, who should have been kicking her drunken ass out, threw dollar bills at her.
If it hadn't been for the blonde, he would have turned and left. As it was, he ordered a beer from the large, bald black man who manned the bar, and settled down at an empty table in the back corner. It was basically empty, except the scantily clad black woman and pasty white guy in wanna-be punk clothes. They were both staring at the stripping drunk with the same amount of interest. That said a lot.
Alec decided he was giving the place twenty minutes of his time. That's how long he figured it'd take the stripping blonde to pass out. By then, he figured if he didn't find another stripping drunk, then he was going home.
It was times like these he thanked the Director for burning Manticore to the ground. Sure, there were genetic anomalies running around, there was always a chance that he'd be grabbed while walking down the street and chopped up for spare parts, and that he wouldn't make it through the night. But having the simple choice of deciding where to waste his time was reason enough for him. He'd once preached to Max about the joys of Manticore life. Shame he never believed in them himself.
He just about choked on his drink when he saw the very person he was just thinking of walk through the door. He mentally swore a litany of curses that revealed his military background as she crossed the room. He was cornered. There was no escape. He didn't feel like dealing with her tonight. Just when the bruise was just starting to fade.
He wasn't going to be a wuss, he thought as he turned in his chair to face the wall, he was going to be a man. That's why he didn't dive under the table. Maybe.maybe she just wouldn't see him.
"Hey boo!" He heard the black woman from the table next to him call. Oh sweet Jesus, he thought, if Max sat down there. How could he have possibly picked the table next to the one person in here that Max knew?
Even with his enhanced hearing he wasn't quite able to pick up Max's muttered reply. He heard the groan of the cheap wooden chair as Max flopped down onto it. Sweat began to pool at the base of his neck when he realized that Max had to turn a good three inches to see him. His only escape would be to walk by her and that was just as risky as sitting there and hoping to wait her out.
Screwed if he did. Screwed if he didn't.
He ignored his surroundings a moment as his mental commentary took over his rational thoughts. Why was he so afraid of her? The one side of his brain wondered. The other side of his brain would have denied it, but he heard the black woman speak again, and it was enough to pique his interest and have him leaning forward so he could hear better.
"Max." Greasy Guy said with a leer. Alec wondered if Max realized that this guy mentally undressed her probably every time they were in the same room together. That was just the optimistic estimate. Greasy Boy might have said more, but like most raging drunks, he didn't have the attention span to remember what pathetic pick up line he wanted to use on Max, and his vision circled back to the main point of interest in the room. She used to be the stripping blonde, but now she was just the naked one. Not that Alec was about to complain.
"Sketchy," Max began with a condescending glare. "You're wasted."
"I'm so glad you're here to make these stunning observations for me." The black woman muttered under her breath. "I don't know what I'd do without you." Alec smirked.
"I think I'm going to go offer that especially fine specimen over there the pleasure of my company." Sketchy said as he lurched to his feet. Whatever mother would name their kid Sketchy, Alec thought, must have not heard that little thing about not drinking when she was pregnant. It would explain so much. Personally, he'd been fine with X5-494 being the only identification having to worry about. Though, it made it difficult to blend in with a society of Jims and Toms when you were 494. Alec it was, Alec it would stay, at least till he thought of a good reason to change it.
"I don't think you want to do that." Max said wisely, standing to try and pull the staggering Sketchy back to their table.
"No no no." The black woman said, stopping Max. "The woman's been eyeing Sketch up all night. Let wigga' take a shot with home girl." Max sat back down as Sketchy headed off.
"Was she really eyeing him?" Max asked after a long moment.
"What do you think?" She asked with a grin.
"You're mean." Max said, fighting her own smile.
"Don't I know it? It'll teach him to get so drunk he doesn't know when I'm messin' with his head."
"It's a lesson I learned fast." Max said confidently, grabbing the remainder of Sketchy's beer
"Not fast enough to avoid karaoke night." She laughed at Max's quick look of surprise. "Don't you remember, like a year and a half ago, you were all over the bar singing some jacked up song. I had to drag your ass out of here before you got us kicked out for good. They didn't teach you military brats how to sing, did they?"
It took Alec a minute to realize that no only did Max tell this random chick about Manticore, they were going to sit around talking about it in the middle of a crowded bar. What an idiot.
"I don't remember this." Max said, the expression on her face one of pure horror.
"Maybe its best that you not." The woman replied with a comforting pat on the arm, carefully avoiding eye contact. Alec wondered if he was the only one who could tell, even at a different table, that she was completely bullshitting Max. He was beginning to like her, not even knowing her name.
"So now that we're alone, you mind telling me what's bugging you?"
"Nothing's wrong." Max said quickly.
"Uh huh."
"Really." Max insisted.
"Sure."
Alec rolled his eyes and silently counted, waiting for Max to sob out her pathetic story of the plight of her life. It was all he could do not to ask her to hold on a second so he could run and get his violin.
"It's Logan." Max said with an audible sigh. Alec smiled into his drink. Trouble in paradise? He wondered.
"What's the problem, boo? Spill it to Original Cindy."
He wondered if Max named her too. His respect for the woman dropped about three notches when he found out her name. These people had no self- respect, letting themselves be called these ridiculous names.
"It's enough that this virus keeps us apart, but now we can barely stand in the same room with each other without getting into a fight about something."
This was a conversation he could get into. Hearing about other's relationship reminded him why he would never subject himself to that drama.
After a long moments hesitation, Max spoke in a monotone voice that had Alec grinning. She sounded so pathetic. It was all he could do not to laugh. "I don't know how much longer I can stand it."
He wondered if he should practice feeling bad about that. Nah, he got an order. If Max didn't understand that, then she'd forgotten everything that her precious martyr brother had taught her.
"You went a year claiming that there was nothing between you." Original Cindy said calmly. "You guys can go another month or two till you figure this bitch out."
"It's not even that. We could handle that. I mean, we spent a year apart, what's another couple of month in the long scheme of things?" Even as she said this, Max fidgeted with the edge of her napkin. She took a deep breath and then spoke quickly. "I think he's seeing someone else."
"Yeah right." Original Cindy instantly snapped. "You know as well as I do that he isn't seeing someone else."
"Then why did he practically kick me out of his place, saying he had to do some stuff. Whenever I walk in, he hangs up the phone. Whenever I ask if he wants to do something, he's got somewhere else to be."
"He's probably doing some of his Clark Kent shit." Original Cindy waved a hand in front of her face in dismissal.
"When I ask, he'll never tell me what it's about." Max shot back. "He's always told me about work, even when I didn't want to hear about it. Why would he all of a sudden stop? Unless he wasn't doing work and he was seeing someone else."
Alec pursed his lips and considered this. There was some distant emotion, one he could not yet identify, starting to mix in with the nonchalant humor.
Max and Original Cindy's words blended together as he zoned out on their conversation. 'I know all I need to know.' He thought with a smirk into his drink. So there was trouble in paradise? She'd destroyed everything that he'd known in his life for nothing more than her misguided sense of love. They'd been taught better than that.
Maybe he should thank her, though. Manticore offered security, but Alec was quickly learning that there was some pleasure to be found in spontaneity. He realized that in a small way, he almost felt bad that things weren't working out for Max.
Then he wondered why he suddenly cared.
He debated this silently for several moments before finally coming to the conclusion that it was just all the time he'd been spending with sentimental people finally getting to him. When he looked up, Max was alone, with Original Cindy nowhere in sight. Max was staring at the table, her face completely neutral, but you could practical feel the waves of sadness coming off her.
Stupid norms and their stupid need to comfort people.
"Hey Max." He said for a lack of anything better. Her eyes snapped up and locked on his face so fast, it was a wonder she didn't hurt anything. Surprise, annoyance, embarrassment all swirled together in her eyes. She had very expressive eyes.
"How long have you been there?" She asked at length.
"Its basic custom to return one's greeting before you go all Spanish inquisition on them." Alec said as he picked up his drink and moved to Original Cindy's now vacated seat.
"I don't recall giving you permission to sit there." Max said, not so subtly sliding her chair away.
"With your manners, I'd have waited all night."
Max smiled sweetly. "That says something, doesn't it?"
"Oh come on, Max!" Alec said with a smile, leaning closer to her. "That's just downright unfriendly! Just because you're in a bitchy mood doesn't mean you have to take it out on the rest of us."
"I'm not taking it out of everyone. I'm taking it out on *you*." Max placed her hands on his chest and shoved Alec back in his chair. "So take a hint and leave me the hell alone." Max dropped a handful of crinkled dollar bills on the table. "I'm out of here."
Alec grabbed Max's hand before she could retreat with the simple flick of his wrist. "You know why you hate me so much, Max?" He asked with an easy smile.
"Because you're a total asshole with out a single idea of responsibility, morals, or any common sense? That you're conceited, you use people, and you only care about yourself?"
Alec's grin spread. "Well, sure, but you also barely know me."
"I know all I need to know." Max attempted to pull her hand away.
"Why don't you stop passing judgment for five minutes and sit the down and have a drink with me?"
"Why don't you get the hell off me?" But Max found she sitting down nonetheless.
"Good girl." Alec praised, searching the crowd for one of the few waitresses that roamed the club. It would take ten times longer to get their drinks, but at least he wouldn't risk getting up to get them himself and having Max be gone by the time he got back.
Max sighed. "Please don't piss me off tonight, I really don't feel like being here."
"Well then, how about a game of pool?" Alec asked with a superior smile.
Max quickly found herself forgetting she'd ever been upset to begin with. Somehow, without her even realizing it, Alec had managed to worm his way through her gloomy mood. "Sorry, Max." Alec said quietly. "But you don't have a chance in hell of making that shot."
Max shot him a challenging smile. "Corner pocket." She said, pointing to the left with her stick. The small crowd around them fell completely silent as she took her shot. The ball rolled slowly and dramatically towards its destination, seeming to freeze on the edge of the pocket before silently dropping in. It wasn't silent much longer as the spectators burst into loud hoots and cheers.
Alec grinned, resting his chin on his stick nonchalantly. "Nice shot, Max." He said with a small smile. "But you haven't got a chance in hell of getting the eight ball."
Max threw her head back and laughed. "Do you enjoy losing?"
"I'm not going to lose this one." Alec insisted, but counted three of the striped balls still on the table. "Well, I'm not going to lose the next one."
"You've lost three straight games and you're still insisting that you're letting me win." Max said shaking her head. She draped herself across the table and silently tapped the side pocket with the tip of her stick. The black eight ball coasted into the pocked with out hesitation.
And the crowd went absolutely wild. Max found a free beer pushed into her hands, several pats on the back, one affectionate slap on the ass from one drunk individual, and several indecent proposals. All the while, wondering the best approach to rubbing her victory in Alec's face.
Neither of them knew how she went from flaunting her victory by the pool table to flaunting a hell of a lot more than that in his bed.
