Free Learning the Ropes by T. J. Kline Page B

floor near a beaten up jukebox blaring a Carrie Underwood song. He twisted his body to barely avoid being hit by a pool stick as he made his way to David and Ali through the crowd.
    “Sorry!” the player apologized.
    “No problem,” Chris muttered. He slid the frosty glasses onto the table as foam spilled over the sides and, reaching for his own, raised it in a toast. Ali and David followed suit slowly, as if they didn’t trust him. “Here’s to coming in second, if at all.”
    Ali’s hand lowered her glass back to the table and a deep frown creased her brow. “That’s not funny.”
    David slammed his mug back on the table and glowered. Chris cursed himself for bringing up a sore subject and tipped his head to the side. “I’m only kidding, Ali.” He set his drink down and nudged the hand curled around her mug. “Lighten up. It can’t be that bad.”
    “Maybe not for you guys, but I’m tired of always coming in second. I had plans for that purse. I needed that money.” Her fingers traced random patterns in the frost covering her glass and Chris wondered if she realized she’d drawn a cloverleaf pattern, just like the one she’d ridden today.
    David frowned at Chris, shaking his head in disgust, before chugging the brew in his glass. Chris wasn’t sure if the look was meant to remind him of how they’d lost today because of his throw or if David had something else on his mind. Okay, he messed up. It wasn’t like moping about it tonight was going to change anything. Why couldn’t he just get over it?
    “Excuse me for a second.” David rose and headed to the bar, leaving Ali and Chris to wonder about his sudden departure. Chris watched as David placed an order, chatting with Jeff behind the bar.
    “What’s with him?” Ali sounded hurt by David’s quick departure.
    “I think he’s still pissed I missed that throw today.” He watched David slam back a shot glass of amber liquid. There was only one reason David ever touched hard liquor and it wasn’t because of a loss. Chris sighed. “Nope, it’s because he saw his dad today.”
    “His dad? Colt Greenly? He’s a legend.”
    She looked confused but Chris kept his mouth shut. It wasn’t his story to tell. “Tonight might not have been the best night for a second date,” Chris warned as he watched David toss back a second shot. He didn’t want to betray David’s trust but he didn’t want Ali to speculate about what happened either. “Let’s just say, not everyone is a fan of Colt Greenly.”
    “Should we go?” She looked past Chris to where her date was drowning his sorrows in a third shot. David glanced over his shoulder at them and shook his head, heading back toward the table juggling three more beers.
    Alicia frowned and Chris could see the uneasiness in her dark eyes. Chris swallowed the last of the beer in his glass. “I’m going to go see what he’s doing. I’ll be right back. Hang tight.” He felt bad leaving her waiting at the table as he intercepted David near the dance floor.
    “Feeling thirsty?”
    “Chris, I’m not in the mood for your games tonight,” David warned. “You can either take one of these or get out of the way.”
    “How many shots was that? Three?”
    Chris glanced back at Ali as she bit her thumbnail, trying not to look anxious. If he were David, he wouldn’t leave her at the table alone for long. She’d end up with one of these other cowboys trying to pick up on her. Women who looked like Ali did tonight deserved to be showered with attention. If David wasn’t going to do it, there were at least ten guys in this bar, him included, who’d be happy to fill in.
    For how long? How long would you be content with one woman?
    Chris clenched his jaw, irritated at the direction of his thoughts, and turned on David. “Look, I get that you’re pissed at your dad, but you’re on a date. Act like it and quit ignoring her. Ali doesn’t deserve this so sober up and show her a good time.” He grabbed one of