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"Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death," chimed Gio. "And for His sake give my boy a chance."

There was no divine intervention as Danny snuffed Garrett's opening rally. Garrett managed to sink another ball, but Danny ran the table from there to win the third game. "You know," Danny grinned, "you could just give me your money and save us all some time." He let out a boisterous laugh that managed to echo across the Topaz Lounge. "On second thought, I'm having too much fun kicking your ass. Can't believe it's been seven years." With that, Danny headed towards a high top on the other side of the pool table, where Amy and Tyler were waiting for him.

Garrett's default aura in high school had been 'worn out and dejected,' and that was the only way to describe the young man who walked over to where his friends were sitting. "Garrett," Gio immediately asked in concern, "what's going on?"

"I'm getting my ass kicked." Garrett leaned against the high top and put his head in his hands. "I'm getting my ass kicked like every time I've gone up against Danny. Shit. I'm going to lose and get humiliated. I never should have agreed to this."

Brenda reached over and shook Garrett's shoulder. "You're only down three games. You've got five minutes to refocus and go back fresh. Take a breath and clear your mind."

"I can't. He's better than I thought he'd be. That last game I tried putting the cue ball where he couldn't take a shot and he still made them like he was on the pro tour." He dragged his fingers along the side of his nose. "Every time I close my eyes Danny's punching me in the face. Again. He's got my number. He's always had my fucking number."

"Hey, hey!" Vienna threw an arm around Garrett's shoulder to pull him close. "This isn't high school. We're adults now. You're not standing in front of your locker or in the gym. This is neutral ground right here."

"Doesn't matter. He's fucking Michael Myers. Every time I think I'm safe... this was a bad idea..."

X X X X X

"You should ask him what happened seven years ago."

Colette blinked, startled at the familiar voice. "Not now," she whispered to the projection of her ex-husband standing just out of her field of vision. "This is serious."

"So am I." Colette could feel Theo's breath tickling her ear. Despite standing next to her current lover in the company of their friends, the memory of the sensation threatened to make her shiver. "Whatever made this young man bolt like a thoroughbred all that time past is tied to who he's playing pool against. You wanted to ask him a few weeks ago, but you stopped yourself. Now would be the dramatically appropriate time to make that inquiry. Mr. Eastman opened the door with his statement. All you have to do is walk through."

When she turned her head, Theo wasn't there. It was only Brian Turner from her graduating class standing at the next table over. Vienna was still attempting to console Garrett who was drowning his sorrows without the assistance of alcohol. Colette cleared her throat and lightly scratched her chest before asking quietly, "What did Danny do to you seven years ago?"

When Garrett turned to look at her, so did everyone else at the table. "Danny said it's been seven years," explained Colette. "That's when you ran. Ever since you came back you've had this haunted look in your eyes that hasn't gone away. And now you're choking when you should be kicking Danny's ass. Call me Phillip fucking Marlowe and tell us what he did to you, Garrett."

Garrett rubbed his face with his hands before mumbling, "Danny jumped me the night I left town." When he lifted his head, deep, unabiding fear was evident in his emerald eyes. "Remember, Gio? You and I had called it an early night at Pike's but I stopped at Sadie's. Just to say hi but one thing led to several others. I went home with a big smile on my face and that was enough for Danny to follow me to my driveway and slam me against a tree a couple of times." Pointing a finger in the direction of the main doors, he exclaimed, "When I tried to ask you out on a date after the blizzard, Brenda, Danny showed up and kicked my ass to the point that Coach Walters felt sorry for me. Prom night, he gets drunk and comes looking for me because he didn't finish the job on the dance floor, and then he does the same thing after graduation. And last night, the second Sadie kisses me, he fucking cold cocks me."

With his fists clenched tightly against his shoulders, a rending sigh bubbled up from the depths of Garrett's soul. "Every time things start going my way, Danny's been right there. I can't beat him. Every time I start to win, he makes sure I lose. And now..."

His shoulders slumped. Chin tucked against his chest, Garrett looked utterly beaten. Even Vienna's question failed to ignite an emotional spark. "Danny's the reason you ran away? Why didn't you say anything?"

"Why didn't any of us say anything?" He looked his friend in the eye. "We all say we're the best of friends and yet we've kept secrets from each other all this time. I just... just..."

"That's it." Vienna chugged the rest of her tequila. "Gio, you and I and going to go break his fucking fingers and shove that pool cue so far up his ass..."

"And it'll get broken up immediately." Gio motioned to the two rugged men and the tall blonde now standing inside the front door to the bar. "We walk up on Danny and not only does Tyler get involved but so do these goons Kim shipped down from Copperton."