Page 9 of Hollis (The Moore Men #2)

Six

Hollis

“ G et ready to have your ass kicked tonight, Holli-boy,” Remi drawls, humor dancing in his gaze as he chalks his pool cue.

I snort. “You fuckin’ wish.” Taking a drag from the Marlboro between my teeth, I finish racking the balls.

With a shake of his head, he chuckles, placing the cue ball on the felt table before flashing me a cocky grin.

“I can feel it in my bones. Tonight’s the night you pay our tab, motherfucker.

” Leaning into position, Remi makes the break shot, sending the cluster of numbered balls in every which direction.

As a solid blue one sinks into the pocket closest to me, he stands tall and points a finger at me from across the table, barking out a laugh that has a couple of people turning to look at us. “You were sayin’?”

I laugh, finishing off the rest of my cigarette while he takes his next shot. “Careful, don’t get too cocky, too early.”

“Here you fellas go,” our bartender announces, a sweet smile on her face as she sets our beers down. “Let me know if ya need anythin’ else.”

“Thank ya, ma’am.” I tip my chin as my gaze drops to the name tag on her tight, white, V-neck shirt. Emily . She must be new because I don’t recall seeing her here before.

“Alright, well, y’all have fun.” Before she leaves, Emily throws one last flirty look in Remi’s direction, her full, glossy bottom lip tucked between her straight white teeth as she winks at him.

I watch her walk away, the black shorts she’s wearing barely covering her round ass as they show off her long, tan legs.

Shaking my head, I scrub a hand over the smile spreading across my face. If only that poor girl knew she was barking up the wrong tree. She’s a very attractive woman, but the long, blonde hair and perky tits spilling out from her shirt couldn’t be further from my best friend’s type.

Well, that and the vagina she most likely has between her legs.

Remi and I are similar in many ways—it’s one of the reasons we’re as close as we are—but he couldn’t be more my opposite in this department.

See, where I’m bisexual and have always been more of an equal opportunist when it comes to who warms my bed, Remi’s preferences have always been a bit more…

defined. He likes them tall, rugged, and all man.

It’s why I’ve never been able to tell if he’s fucking with me as a twisted form of payback for his high school job when it comes to the weird little “crush” he has on my dad or if he’s serious.

As disturbing as it is, Gentry Moore is definitely Remi’s type.

I’ve always leaned more toward the former, though, mostly because the latter icks me out if I think about it for too long.

The Rusty Spur is a dive bar in town, and it’s one Remi and I frequent at least once a week.

This place opened years back, when we first bought our Harley’s and started riding.

Coming here after a ride has become somewhat of a tradition for us.

We have a long-standing deal that whoever loses at pool that night pays the tab, which is why Remi’s so hellbent on me losing.

The place is mostly empty tonight, save for us and the handful of regulars that are always here, but that’s not surprising given that it’s barely eight o’clock on a Wednesday night.

A mix of country and classic rock music plays from the Jukebox in the back corner and the compact space is lit by the neon lights, basking the room in a calm, relaxed feel.

It’s the perfect setting to wind down after a long, hard day on the ranch.

Since we’re approaching breeding season, things have been busy while we make sure the cattle are ready.

Finn, August, and I spent most of today vaccinating the herd and performing check-ups on all of them.

It’s a hefty task to complete in one day.

Add in how unusually warm it is for this time of year, and I was exhausted and ready to toss back a few cold ones by the time noon rolled around.

Thankfully, Remi’s off today and tomorrow, so it worked out perfectly.

“Cap seems to be settling in nicely at the cabin,” Remi murmurs when it’s my turn to shoot.

“Haven’t seen him a whole lot,” I drawl, lining up my pool cue with the ball.

It’s been a week since we helped Ford move.

I’ve been meaning to be neighborly and drop off some beer or something as a housewarming gift, but with our schedules, it hasn’t worked out in my favor.

I sink two striped balls, my smirk wide as I peer over at my now-scowling friend.

“I’ve been tryin’ to convince him to get back out there,” Remi says before taking a swig of his beer.

Arching a brow, I ask, “Meanin’ sex? ”

“Meanin’ datin’,” he corrects. “I think seein’ what’s out there could be good for him.”

“I think hot, meaningless sex would be a better route.”

Remi scoffs, and I can’t help but chuckle. “Not everybody is afraid of feelings like you are.”

“I’m not afraid of feelings,” I explain. “I just prefer to keep them out of my sex life.”

“Right, keep tellin’ yourself that.” Finishing what’s left of his beer, he holds up the glass and meets my gaze, brow lifting questioningly. “Want another?”

Nodding, I swallow down what’s left in mine before handing the empty glass to him. “Thanks, man.”

As soon as Remi walks away, I grab my phone from the breast pocket on my leather riding vest. I scan several notifications waiting for me, a grin curling my lips when I spot one from somebody who’s been on my mind more than I’d like to admit.

FireInMyVeins: Since we already talked about my dating history before, it only seems fair if you share a little bit about yours…

Aside from the few good morning messages he’s sent, this is the first time he and I have spoken in a couple of days.

Given the fact he’s admitted to being new at online dating, I chalked the silence up as nerves on his end, especially since he never unmatched with me.

I’m typically not in the business of chasing anybody, so I didn’t go out of my way to talk to him either, figuring he’d reach out when and if he was ready.

Admittedly, I’ve found myself more than once checking the app throughout the day and almost hoping to find a message from him.

I still can’t put my finger on what it is about this guy that has me so interested.

Usually, if I don’t meet up with someone after a few days, I’ll un-match without a second thought, because another thing I’m not in the business of doing is securing any sort of pen pal.

KnockinBoots: There’s not much to share. I’m not exactly what you’d call the dating type.

I breathe out a small laugh at the speed his reply comes in.

FireInMyVeins: What type would you be then?

KnockinBoots: The type that’ll give you toe-curling orgasms.

FireInMyVeins: …Aren’t toe-curling orgasms something that comes as a result of dating?

KnockinBoots: Oh, sweet Grasshopper, I have much to teach you. *wink emoji*

“Got these for free,” Remi drawls with a smirk as he hands me a fresh beer. “You’re welcome.”

“Only because she’s hopin’ you’ll dick her down in the bathroom later.” I chuckle, tucking my phone back in my pocket.

After Remi and I finish our game of pool—and I absolutely smoke his ass like I always do—we take our beer outside to the covered patio area.

Grabbing the pack of smokes from the pocket on the inside of my vest, I offer one to Remi before lighting another for myself.

Smoking is a nasty habit I know I should kick, and for the most part, I have.

I rarely smoke these days, unless I’ve had an exceptionally shitty day at work, I’ve been drinking, or after I’ve had some exceptionally great sex.

We’ve all got our vices, right?

Taking a drag, the smoke dances down my throat and fills my lungs before I exhale and fix my gaze on Remi. “So, back to your fine-ass captain. He’s not interested in givin’ the dating idea a shot, or what?”

“Nah, I don’t think so.” Remi shakes his head. “Maybe eventually, but he’s been pretty adamant about his answer whenever I’ve brought it up.”

“Bet I could change his mind.” I waggle my brows suggestively.

Remi’s brows furrow as he pins me with a hardened stare across the table, and I have to bite back my amusement. “Not fuckin’ happenin’, Hollis.”

Chuckling, I hold up my hands. “What? I’m simply curious about the guy, because maybe I’m considering helpin’ him get back out there too. That’s all.”

Rolling his eyes, Remi says, “Right. Your intentions are pure and not at all selfish.”

“Why wouldn’t they be pure?” I tease, my grin wide. “Ford’s my new neighbor, and I’m a helpful guy.”

Remi barks out a laugh. “You’re only helpful as long as it gets you what you want. It’s like you forget I’ve known you our whole life.”

“Hey now.” My mouth curves down into a frown.

“I’ve done plenty of helpful things that had nothin’ to do with getting somethin’ I want.

Remember when you bought your house and I gave up my entire Saturday to help you move, just the two of us because your movers cancelled at the last minute, after bein’ up all night deliverin’ calves? ”

“Yeah, but that’s different.” He waves me off. “I’m your best friend and you love me, therefore helpin’ me out will always be a gain for you. Regardless, you’re not fuckin’ my captain, Hollis. Don’t even think about it.”

“You’re so touchy.” Laughter vibrates through my chest. “Maybe you should worry less about who I’m fuckin’ and more about gettin’ yourself laid.”