Unfiltered & Undressed (The Unfiltered Series) by Payge Galvin, Meg Chance Page A

glance. The next two went in just as fluidly, and by my fifth shot, I ventured a quick look up at Zane and Lucas.
    Both were watching me, mouths hanging wide open. Emerson looked like she might explode from trying to hold back her enthusiasm.
    When I missed my next shot, I whirled around and feigned innocence with a pert little shrug. “Beginner’s luck, I guess.”
    “ Bull shit,” Lucas announced, dragging out the “bull” to let us know what he really thought. “We just got hustled, Z.” He snatched his cue and lined up his next shot, only to miss by a mile.
    Emerson strutted up to the table next, and flashed him a mocking look over her shoulder. “Aw, that’s a shame. I guess I’ll just have to wrap things up here.” That was Em’s strong suit—clean up—which is exactly what she did.
    She cleared the table of our solids and the eight-ball followed just seconds later, and when she spun back around and leaned against the rail, she sighed. “Wanna play again, boys? Maybe make it interesting this time?”
    I glanced at Zane. Emerson and I had done this hundreds of times—humiliated guys who thought they couldn’t be beat by a couple of girls. It was fun to see them underestimate us, make derisive comments even, only to wipe the floor with them. Even better if we could earn a few bucks in the process.
    Zane lifted his hands in defeat. “I know when I’m in over my head.”
    “I’ll play.”
    I whipped around, stunned to hear the voice of the last person I thought I’d see tonight.
    Will looked every bit as comfortable here, in this shit-kicking cowboy bar, as he had behind the counter of The Dunes, or carrying a surfboard on the beach. He looked casual in blue jeans and a black t-shirt that accentuated the muscles of his chest and exposed the cut of his biceps. Knowing what I did about his background, about almost going pro, it made sense why he was in the shape he was. And even though he was no longer competing, I knew he was still surfing.
    My pulse quickened as his eyes fell on me. He dropped a hundred dollar bill on the green felt, and Emerson snatched it up. “You’re on,” she said, not bothering to ask whether I was still interested in playing, or whether I was even still staying or not.
    I scanned the bar, hating how badly I wanted to know if she was here too—Tess. “What about a partner?” I asked, feeling the words stick in my throat.
    Will watched me like he didn’t have a care in the world. He shrugged. “Don’t have one.”
    My chest loosened, and I told myself that just because she wasn’t here didn’t mean she didn’t exist.
    Zane scooted closer and handed me my beer. He stopped short of pissing on me, but I got the impression this was his way of marking his territory. “You sure you wanna do this?” he asked, when I reached for my beer. I took a long drink from the bottle, telling myself it was normal to be nervous with that much money on the line, except what did I care? I had a duffle bag full of cash that said his hundred bucks made no difference.
    It was Will who made me nervous, or mad, or whatever it was I was feeling right now.
    “No,” I muttered beneath my breath, taking yet another swallow. “But it won’t last long,” I assured him. And then I grinned, because that much was true at least. This game would be over in no time.
    “I’ll play with him,” Lucas volunteered, and Emerson glared at her boy toy. “Traitor,” she accused.
    Lucas wiggled his eyebrows. “Don’t be mad, babe. You saw me play. Trust me, I’m doin’ you a favor—playing for the enemy.”
    Casting an appreciative smile his way, her cocked her head. “You say the sweetest things.”
    As much as I wanted to ask Zane to take me home, I just as badly wanted to show Will up. To wipe that smug look off his face once and for all.
    “Fine. I’ll play,” I said, glaring at Will. “It’s your money.”
    “Not for long,” Emerson threw in, and I could practically hear her spending it