Chapter 20 Playing the Long Game
Blake: POV
Since I sent Olivia back, I haven't reached out to her at all. Been keeping myself busy with the plantation and flower garden, plus doing all this rehab stuff for my back. I kinda thought she'd hit me up, you know? But yeah, guess I was just being stupid about it. Anyway, my buddies showed up today and were like "dude, we're going to play pool" and basically dragged my ass out.
I squinted at the green felt table, calculating angles in my head as I positioned my cue stick. The Shark's Den was unusually quiet for a Thursday night—perfect for concentrating on both pool and the thoughts swirling through my mind.
"Take the shot already, Westwood. Some of us would like to play before we die of old age," Daniel called from across the table, nursing his whiskey.
I smirked without looking up, my eyes locked on the perfect angle I'd found. "Patience is a virtue, Morgan. Something you clearly lack in the kitchen too."
"Says the man who waited seventeen years to make a move," Alex chimed in, leaning against the wall with that architect's posture—like he was constantly evaluating if the building would collapse.
I lined up my shot, my knuckles whitening around the cue as I focused. With one fluid motion, I struck the cue ball, sending it spinning with just enough force to pocket two solids. The sharp crack echoed through the room, matching the satisfaction I felt.
"Who says I've made a move?" I straightened up, adjusting my stance to ease the dull ache in my lower back.
"Oh please," Daniel rolled his eyes. "You disappear for days, ignore our texts, and when you finally grace us with your presence, you're sporting that stupid grin. Either you won the lottery or Olivia Parker happened."
I lined up my next shot, feeling their eyes on me. My jaw clenched as I concentrated, partly on the game, partly on how much I wanted to share. "She happened alright," I muttered, then struck the ball a bit harder than necessary, making Daniel jump as it ricocheted loudly.
"Details, man. We've been waiting for this soap opera to progress since middle school," Alex said, grabbing his beer from the nearby table.
I straightened up, meeting their eager expressions with a deadpan stare. "She slept with me," I said flatly, taking pleasure in watching their jaws drop simultaneously.
"Holy shit!" Daniel nearly spilled his drink. "Like, intentionally? Does she actually have feelings for you?"
I laughed bitterly, chalking my cue tip with more force than required, a fine blue dust settling on my fingers. "She didn't even recognize me. When she sobered up the next morning and realized who I was, she claimed I'd changed too much."
Alex snickered, sinking a stripe with casual precision. "To be fair, you were pretty pudgy back then. When you first came back from England, I barely recognized you myself."
"Fuck off," I said without heat, stretching my back subtly. The physical therapy was helping, but long periods of standing still aggravated the old injury.
"So what now?" Daniel asked, missing his shot and cursing under his breath. His eyes briefly flickered toward Alex before returning to the game. "She finally sleeps with you and... nothing?"
I took my turn, focused on the table, my expression hardening with determination. "This time I'm not letting her walk away," I said quietly, but firmly, punctuating the statement with a perfect corner pocket shot.
"Did she show any interest after?" Alex pressed, raising an eyebrow. "Or was it just a drunken mistake in her book?"
I hesitated, remembering her panicked face that morning. "Not exactly."
Daniel burst out laughing. "Damn, Blake! That bad in bed? And here I thought your physical therapy was keeping you in shape."
I kicked his shin under the table, flashing him a warning glare. "She said it was fine, asshole." I wasn't about to share the details of that morning, the way her eyes had widened in horror when she recognized me, or how quickly she'd tried to escape.
"Well, she dumped that cheating boyfriend," Daniel continued, rubbing his leg. "Perfect timing for you to swoop in."
"I told her I have feelings for someone," I admitted, watching their confused expressions as I lined up another shot, my eyes intense with focus.
"Wait," Alex held up his hand. "You finally get your chance with her and you tell her you like someone else? Have you lost your mind?"
"I didn't say I confessed," I clarified, straightening up and running a hand through my hair. "I just told her I needed her help with a woman I've had feelings for. It gives me an excuse to stay close."
Daniel groaned dramatically, exchanging a look with Alex that lasted a beat too long. "That's the most manipulative, underhanded—"
"Brilliant," Alex finished, looking impressed. "You're making her chase you."
"It's not like that," I protested, though it kind of was. "I'm just... playing the long game."
"It's risky," Daniel warned, suddenly serious. "What if she starts genuinely trying to set you up with someone? Or worse, what if she realizes it's her and feels manipulated?"
I hadn't thought that far ahead. The plan had formed in my mind the moment she agreed to have dinner with me "What would you suggest?" I asked, leaning on my cue stick.
Alex leaned in, lowering his voice though no one was near. "Start dropping hints. Describe this 'mystery woman' with traits that match Olivia exactly. Make her wonder, make her jealous. Then when she figures it out, act like you tried to hide it because you valued your friendship too much."
I considered his words, turning the cue stick in my hands. It wasn't far from what I'd already started doing.
"Or," Daniel interjected, his eyes briefly meeting Alex's again, "you could try being honest for once. Novel concept, I know."
I shot him a look. "Says the man who still hasn't told Alex about—"
"Enough pool for tonight?" Daniel interrupted loudly, suddenly very interested in ordering another drink.
I smirked, watching Alex's confused expression. We all had our secrets, our long games. ‘How much longer can Daniel keep hiding his secret?’