‘Yeah, you know,’ I say with a sniff. ‘Like… you think about just one person a lot of the time.’
‘We talkin’ about a girl here?’
‘Yeah, dipshit, we’re talkin’ ’bout a girl.’
‘Okay. So, you’re thinking about having sex with her?’
‘No, man. I mean, sure, I think about that too, but mostly, I just wanna get to know her better.’
He shrugs. Bends to take the shot but doesn’t follow through. ‘So just go ahead and fuck her. Get it out your system.’
I exhale. ‘There’s a reason you’re single, Brennan.’
He still doesn’t take the shot. ‘Single as you are, sunshine.’
‘What if I don’t wanna be single the rest of my life?’
He makes a face. ‘Am I hearing you straight? Says the King of the No-Commitment-One-Night-Stand?’
‘Maybe I just didn’t meet the right person yet.’
‘Well, jeez, then fucking ask her out.’
I shift my weight to my other foot. ‘That’s the thing. Don’t really know how. She’s not like the usual girls I go for.’
‘You mean she ain’t throwin’ herself at your feet?’
I shrug.
‘Holy shit,’ Chase hoots, ‘are you telling me you never actually asked out a girl before now?’
‘Never had to. They all just… kinda came to me.’
He shakes his head, like it’s the most hilarious thing he’s ever heard. ‘Like flies to shit. You are one lucky dude, you know that? This chick’s really done a number on you. Shit, she got, like, an extra pair of tits, or what?’
Chase has no tact. I point to the table. ‘It’s your ball, dickwad. Take the shot.’
‘Don’t change the subject. What’s her name? Spill it. Don’t hold out on me.’
‘None of your business. Would you please take the darned shot? I’m not sure if I’m gonna see her again, anyway.’
‘Why not?’
When he does nothing, I put down my cue stick. I’m out. ‘Don’t even know what I’d say to her. Never mind. I gotta get back to work.’
‘Hey!’ Chase shouts at me as I pick up my jacket. ‘We’re not finished!’
‘I concede. Got motorcycles to fix, man.’
Behind me, he raises his voice. ‘You heading here tomorrow night?’
‘Dunno,’ I say as I walk away.
‘Come shoot some pool with me!’
‘I’ll see.’
Chase is hollering now. ‘Aw, come on, man! Stick around with me! We’ll fuck up some college kids!’