The nine ball sinks into the pocket as my breath sucks in with a harsh gasp. Three to two. He wins one more game and it’s over.
There’s a slight applause as Emilio gathers the balls, and Jack leans over and whispers in my ear. “Can you do this? Can you win? Tell me the truth.”
I know what he’s asking. I have to win two games in a row. I have to shoot perfect. Suddenly, I can’t swallow, feeling those cautious sips of water coming back up.
I brush past Jack and quickly make my way to the bathroom. I barely have time to swing the door shut before I’m bracing myself over the toilet, praying to the bathroom god to not throw up. Now I’m glad I didn’t eat those hors d’oeuvres, pretty sure I wouldn’t like them anymore the second time around.
I hear the door close and lock behind me, and I glan
