Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

Jackson

The bar wasn't as nearly packed as I wanted it to be, but I supposed that's what I got for coming in on a Wednesday night.

Thankfully, by the time I was served my second beer, I spotted a cute blond over in the corner of the bar hanging out by the pool table. He had on a pair of short-shorts that were frayed at the ends and a cropped top that didn't quite show off his full mid-drift but did tease a little bit of skin. His hair was messy, tossed on top of his head, giving him that ‘barely put together' look that was so in right now.

Tossing back the rest of my drink, I left the glass on the bar and slid off of my stool to head over to him.

He was on his phone, scrolling for something, his bottom lip pinched between his teeth.

"You up for a round?" I asked, grabbing one of the cue sticks off of the rack.

He looked up, his eyes widening briefly before he grinned. "Oh. Yeah, sure. But you're going to have to teach me."

"My pleasure." I flashed him a smile.

After handing him one of the sticks, I moved closer to the table and snatched the blue chalk cube up to rub on the tip to freshen it up a bit. With a wink, I tossed it lightly at him and said, "I'll take stripes."

Lining up my cue, I pinned it back twice before striking the rack, sinking two of the stripes balls into the left-most pocket.

He let out a gasp and clapped. "Wow! Impressive. I didn't know I was in the presence of a seasoned expert."

The way he said it had me snorting softly to myself.

Sometimes the younger ones liked to put me in a box. I think it was my refusal at dyeing my hair and letting my grays grow out instead of trying to pretend like I wasn't forty-five. I wasn't so much attached to ages as long as whomever I was with was at least in their mid-twenties.

Anything below that and I ran the risk of a clinger.

"Mind showing me?" he said, coming closer to me with a sway of his hips.

He was hot, I'd give him that.

He pressed himself against the lip of the table and bent over, sticking his ass out, and very poorly secured his cue on top of one of his hands.

I chuckled, getting up in his space in order to correct his posture using my hands on his hips as a guide.

"Try that instead. And hit the solid colored ones, or else I'll win," I said.

He grinned at me over his shoulder. "And what happens if you do?"

"How about I take you home?" I moved his hips again, fixing the way his body was tilted before I let him go again.

"I like the sound of that," he said before whacking his cue against one of the balls closest to him.

While I meant what I said, there just wasn't any heat behind my promise. Sure, the kid was hot and would most likely be a fun time, but for some reason I wasn't feeling it.

Maybe I needed another drink in me. Or maybe I'd been spending way too much time in the sun.

" Oh , did you see that? I hit one," he said, standing back up.

As he turned, he pressed his entire body against mine. His cute little cock was already hard and rubbing against mine. "How about we skip to the part where you win and take me home."

Man, how easy would it be to take him up on his offer?

I cupped his face, squeezing slightly as I looked down at his round features.

The only problem was that this kid's eyes were a soft blue and not the deep rich brown that I was hoping they'd be. There was a dusting of pinkish makeup around his eyes, bringing out the blue even more. His skin was pale, not the tan that I'd been fantasizing about running my tongue over to taste how salty it'd be after along day of working under the scorching sun.

Fuck.

What a damn bust.

"Sorry," I said, letting him go. "I just remembered I've got a thing in the morning."

He pouted. "Seriously?"

"Rain check?" I asked, even though both of us knew this would be the last time we'd see each other.

"Yeah," he waved his hand, rolling his eyes and pulling out his phone again. "Sure. Whatever."

I pecked him on the forehead as an apology. "Hope you find someone to take you up on that offer."

He smiled a little, waving me off again. "Go away before I make you take me home."

I had to laugh at that.

Setting my cue stick back on the rack, I headed out and climbed into my truck.

Well, so much for trying to fuck my energy out with a stranger. I didn't typically like to resort to using my hand but apparently, that's where this was headed tonight. At least with masterbating, I wouldn't have to pretend to replace the features of one man for another.

Getting back on property was easy with the late-night traffic. Soon enough, the familiar wooden sign stating ‘CAL FIRE INMATE WORK PROGRAM' greeted me.

I parked my truck and killed the ignition just as something flashing caught my eye.

Two COs were running together with their flashlights bobbing on the ground, followed closely by two of my guys who were sprinting after them.

My heart hammered in my chest as I kicked my door open.

Fuck, were they heading for the inmate cabins?

I slammed my door shut and ran after them, hoping like hell I was wrong.