Digging into her pocket, Emma studied Grace and Zac, standing close together giving each other support. "Two out of three, or just one?"
   Looking up from Grace, Zac shrugged. "Whoever wins can decide if they want to do that or not."
   Emma nodded in agreement and took out a blackened nickel. "Call it in the air." She announced as she flipped it high.
   "Heads." Grace responded firmly.
   "Tails then." Isaac returned carelessly.
   Nodding, Emma caught the coin in her palm, than slapped it down on the back of her left hand. Looking up at them, she smiled wryly and removed her hand. "Tails, people."
   Grinning at Grace's crestfallen face, Emma moved to the top of the table and picked up her pool stick. Chalking the L of her left hand lightly, and dusting the top of her stick with a minimum amount of the blue chalk, she studied the table with scrutiny.
   Lining up the cue ball, and stepping back slightly, Emma winked at Isaac when she leaned over. "Better make up with your brother, Ike. You're riding with him."
   Her shot landed two stripes into the right corner pocket.
   Nodding to him, Isaac stepped up, "right side pocket," he called as he tried to bank his shot, but ended up tapping a solid on the way into the pocket.
   Groaning, he backed away ignoring Zac as he gloated and retrieved the one he had just knocked in and placed it back on the table.
   They moved on, taking their turns and shots. Trying hard not to celebrate an early victory or be overconfident in fear of sudden bad luck.
   "This is it, Ike." Emma murmured softly at his side.
   Looking over at her, and then looking at how tense his brother and Grace was standing, he tried to shove away the pressure and relax.
   They all watched as Isaac tried for the eight ball. The last one remaining on the table.
   He swallowed with difficulty, "Top right, corner pocket."
   It was a sure shot, and Emma grinned to herself. For a maddening guy, Isaac could shoot a good game.
   Turning to get Grace's attention, she missed Isaac deliberately pull his shot and sent the black ball spinning crazily towards the opposite end of the table.
   Catching Grace's look of joy, Emma spun around quickly to watch the ball touch the bottom rail and slide into the left corner pocket. The one she started the game off of.
   Emma's jaw dropped as Zac and Grace laughed in relief and started for the door, and was numb when Grace pecked her cheek quickly on the way.
   She continued to stare in shock at the table for a few more minutes when Isaac moved to her side and tried to put his arm around her shoulders.
   Once they connected, Emma was shoving him off and staring him down venomously. "You cheated." She accused hotly, her finger stabbing him sharply in the chest.
   Rubbing at the now tender area, Isaac nodded guiltlessly. "Yes, I did, Em." He agreed shrugging his shoulders.
   Baring her teeth, Emma turned and started pacing before she spun around again. "Why?"
   He shrugged, "Did you notice them throughout this game?"
   His question brought her to a standstill, "No. Why?"
   He made that little breath again and she clenched her hands. "It doesn't matter anyway, I play to win, Ike. And you deliberately lost. You betrayed your partner, me, by doing that."
   He continued on as if she hadn't said anything, "You would have seen them sending nervous looks at each other, questioning if they were going to be able to get out of this together."
   "I believe they should be given a chance."
   He must have said the wrong thing, because when she looked at him again, her eyes were furious and would have turned red if they were able to he was sure.
   "Your brother Taylor was just like you, and she's already been hurt by him. And now you think it's okay for Zac to do the same?" She asked with beguiling softness.
   He wasn't fooled though. "I think they should be allowed to make and pay for their own choices. Not be told who to be with and who not to be."
   Scoffing acidly, Emma started to walk away when Isaac caught up to her, catching her arm in a tight grip. "Play me."
   It was a command really, and Emma resented it. "You don't have anything I want."
   Isaac shook his head and dropped his hand. "Not true." He replied, as he went back to the table and started racking.
   She waited for him to answer, and without looking up he said; "we can end the game tonight if you play me and win."
   Lifting her head at the prospect, Emma thought hard on it for a split second. "And if you win?"
   Isaac laughed softly, "We go out on a real date."
   She squinted, "What kind of date?"
   "I show up at your door with flowers. I'll wear a suit; you'll wear a dress. We'll go see a movie and have a nice dinner afterwards." He shrugged, "And of course, I get a kiss goodnight."
   Emma laughed, and shook her head. "You're on, boy." She smiled again, "I won't say it's been a pleasure playing you either. Because it hasn't."
   Smiling himself, he waited as Emma got out the nickel again. His mind already picturing her in a dress.