The cue ball struck the near rail, bounced to the far rail, and ricocheted off the side rail. It kissed the fourth rail, and then nudged Neville’s next target ball off its perch and into the corner pocket.

A soft plop.

Nothing dramatic.

"Four rails," Pete said slowly, as if confirming this to himself.

"Four," Julius confirmed.

Sarah grabbed Pete’s arm. "Did that just happen?"

"It happened," Pete said, staring at the table.

Bryan turned to Grayson. His poker-face smile had cracked in surprise, maybe even respect. "Are you sure Neville just ’kind of’ knew how to play?"

Grayson picked up his glass and took a slow sip, hiding a smile. "That’s what he said."

Neville was already circling the table again, and his eyes were focused as he entered into some flow state.

The next shot was the one that broke everyone.

Three balls remaining, and the angles were all wrong.

Any reasonable player would have played safe, nudged the cue ball into a neutral position, and waited for a better opportunity.

But Neville turned around. He placed his back against the edge of the table.

Reached behind himself with his right hand and gripped the cue in a reverse hold.

Without looking at anyone’s reaction, he drew the cue back and struck.

A back shot bank shot. Blind. Behind his own body.

The cue ball launched from its position and hit the rail at an angle. It bounced once and clipped the target ball into the pocket.

For a full three seconds, nobody spoke.

Then Sarah slammed both hands on the table. "WHAT WAS THAT?!"

Even Julius looked mildly unsettled. He knew that amongst anyone in this group of friends, he was the best at playing billiards.

Pete ran a hand through his hair, speechless. "People don’t just do that."

"He just did," Grayson said, lightly, but his tone exposed just how proud he was feeling inside.

Iris set her cue against the table and crossed her arms, shaking her head. There was no frustration in her expression.

She looked at Bryan with a raised eyebrow that said, I did what I could.

Bryan simply nodded, as if it didn’t matter since he was also equally shocked.

The rest was an easy clear. Neville pocketed them quickly until the eight ball sank with a gentle tap in its pocket.

The cue ball rolled to a stop in the center of the table, and Neville set his cue down and adjusted his glasses. Then once again, he looked like that person who lived his life surrounded by books. It made you almost doubt what you had just seen.

Almost.

Sarah was on her feet, whooping loudly. Pete was clapping. Julius nodded once and picked up another cookie.

Bryan raised his glass toward Neville. "Remind me never to bet against Neville."

Iris laughed, bright and warm. "Remind me to practice more."

Grayson stepped forward. The crowd noise faded into background static as he crossed the distance between himself and Neville.

It felt like it was just the two of them there.

Grayson’s hand found the back of Neville’s neck—a brief, firm touch, possessive and proud.

"Good game," Grayson said. His voice was low, pitched for Neville’s ears only.

Neville looked up at him. The pink had returned to his ears, but this time he didn’t try to hide it. A small smile crept across his face.

"You sound surprised," Neville said.

"I’m not."

"Liar."

Grayson’s thumb brushed the nape of Neville’s neck. The warmth in the air between them lingered.

Sarah groaned from the side table. "And they’re at it again."

"You bet twenty on Bryan and Iris," Julius reminded her. "You lost."

"I know what I bet!" Sarah flopped back into her chair.

And then, amidst the cheers, a slow, deliberate applause was heard.

Sarah was the first to notice someone else in the room, but didn’t see clearly who it was.

"Hey—" Sarah said. "Who’s that?"

Helena stood beside the archway to the billiards table. She was in her civilian clothes, a tailored dark coat over a high-collared shirt.

Her applause was unhurried, and her expression held a warmth that softened the sharp lines of her face.

"Now that," Helena said, "was worth walking in on."

Bryan turned just in time, setting the cocktail down.

He asked, "When did you get here? I didn’t see you come through the main entrance."

"I’ve been here a while, actually," Helena said, nodding toward the pool table. "I didn’t want to interrupt. It was a hell of a shot."

Her gaze lingered on Neville, then moved to Grayson. She saw how close their bodies were to each other, and a flicker of something knowing appeared on her features.

She stepped into the room. "I see you started the party without me."

Pete stood and said, "We haven’t really started yet. Just a warm-up."

"Not everyone was here yet," Bryan said.

Helena nodded.

Julius said, "Want to sit over here?"

Helena waved him back down and smiled, "Sure, move over."

Sarah asked, "Yo, remember me?"

"Of course, I know who you are," Helena said, and the corners of her eyes creased with amusement. "Lilianna’s older sister, Sarah. I almost forgot about you since you rarely spend time with us."

"Eldest daughter duties." Sarah replied casually and pointed at the cookies, "Want some?"

Helena glanced at the cookies, then at the tray of drinks on the side table. "Nope. Though I wouldn’t say no to whatever’s in those glasses."

"It’s non-alcoholic," Julius said.

Helena gave him a look. "I’m off duty, Julius."

Pete was already on his feet, heading toward the bar. "I’ll get you something ’proper’."

Helena shook her head, "Have Bryan do that. He’s the best mixer in here."

Bryan said without complaining, "The usual right?" and Helena nodded.

Sarah picked up avoine cookie from the plate and bit into it.

Neville watched the greetings unfold from his spot near the pool table.

Even Iris, who had appeared at Sarah’s elbow with a polite nod and a quick handshake. It seemed that they had already met previously.

Everyone seemed to gravitate toward Helena. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Everyone except Grayson.

Grayson had been watching the scene from where he stood.