Page 38 of Eternal

Mila smiles, but Oxy’s blond friend tosses his pool stick on the table, stalking away, irritated.

“Looks like your game just ended. Pity.” Mila forces a frown that is so fake Patience chuckles. “Want me to rack ’em?”

“Sure thing, babe.” Oxy winks at Mila, and they collect the balls, being overly obvious with their flirting while they do.

“I don’t get it.” Patience leans closer to me, dipping her hands in her back pockets. “Does she actually find this act charming?”

“Probably not. But he meets her bare minimum qualifications, so I’m not surprised she’s entertaining it.”

“And those are?”

“Tattoos, nice arms, and big dick confidence.”

Patience laughs. She’s loosening up, which means her one shot must be getting to her. It’s rare she cracks asmile when she’s at Sigma House, but it’s even rarer she drinks, so it’s taking the edge off.

Once Mila is done racking the balls and flirting, they start a game. It’s obnoxious to watch, but at least it’s entertaining.

By game two and drink three, it’s me against Mila. Which Oxy uses as an excuse to stare at Mila’s ass every time she bends over.

A couple of Oxy’s friends, Ryan and Finn, have joined to hang out. And they’re friendly enough while keeping their distance, so I don’t mind it. It’s enough of a distraction to help me forget the fact that I was dumb enough to show up here for Declan.

“Eight ball, corner pocket.” I point from the ball to the pocket.

“She’s kicking your ass, Mila.” Patience laughs from the chair in the corner.

“Only if she makes it.”

“I’ll make it,” I tease, eyeing my shot. “Unlike you, I’m not drunk or distracted.”

“Very funny.” Mila walks over to me, leaning in close enough that only I can hear her. “I already won the only pool stick I’m interested in grabbing the rest of the night.”

Her gaze cuts to Oxy, and I burst out laughing.

Of course Mila cares more about the guy than the game. It’s how she distracts herself from the shit she doesn’t want to think about.

Bending over, I line up my shot, wiggling until I get my position just right. I pull back, smooth and slow, andthen I strike. The cue ball glides across the felt, and it’s a perfect shot, ending the game.

“Well, damn.” Mila frowns, even if she doesn’t actually care about losing.

Standing up, I open my mouth to say something snappy when the energy in the room changes.

Patience’s gaze drifts to someone behind me, and I’m overwhelmed by the heat of his body and the faint scent of peppermint.

Trouble.

Bad decisions.

He’s so close I can feel the static radiating from his body, but he leaves just enough space that it makes the gap feel torturous.

Declan brushes my hair off one shoulder, leaning in so close his breath rustles the hair on the top of my head.

“Nice shot, Tealene,” he says, and I swear the room silences for him. “But I’ve got next game. So how about we up the stakes?”

12

All You Have to Do Is Say Stop

Teal