Robert had gotten them there early, picked a small alcove with a pool table, and commandeered this area for the night. A Minneapolis/St. Paul television station with up to the minute coverage played in one corner, cable news in another, and Landon had systematically beaten Robert at pool for the last two hours, giving him bragging rights from now until eternity.
Finally, Landon found something he was better at than his sexy husband.
“You could give me a break,” Robert mumbled from his casual perch on a barstool behind him. Landon laughed smugly, venturing a glance his husband’s direction. He’d seen a new side of Robert tonight. His mister had a wicked gleam in his eye, rolling the pool cue between his palms, most likely waiting on his next turn to cheat.
“You won’t learn if I just give you the win.” He wanted to laugh but gave himself a mental high five for that comeback instead.
Robert only chuckled and shook his head. “I love you, husband.”
“I love you and you’re trying to distract me.”
Robert chuckled again, proving Landon’s point. Landon had drawn out his latest winning shot long enough and walked back around the table as if he’d finished strategizing. There was no strategy. It was the easiest shot of the night. The only drawback was that his back was to Robert, making it harder to see his reaction when he sank this last ball. Oh well, he couldn’t have everything.
“We should shoot pool more often.”
That got a bark of rousing laughter from the man behind him, bringing a smile to his lips as he leaned across the table, his concentration on positioning his pool cue. He reared back intending to take his shot with a quick thrust forward to add a little extra force, ensuring he got the sharp clack of the balls making contact before the ball slid into the pocket.
Seconds before he snapped his wrist to drive the cue forward, the tip of Robert’s pool stick slid up the inside of his leg, straight to his balls. His dick jerked with excitement and his concentration faltered, which sent the ball barreling off course. He’d missed an easy shot and lost the game when the tip skidded across the felt, straight into one of Robert’s balls, sending it rolling with enough power to knock it and two others into their holes. Landon watched it all happened in what felt like slow motion before turning to glare unbelievingly at Robert. His handsome but underhanded husband sat there, grinning like a Cheshire cat.
“I think it’s my shot.” Robert’s smirk made him lift a brow as he watched the guy happily rise off the stool.
“That’s cheating,” Landon adamantly protested.
Robert came forward in what Landon could only describe as a gloating saunter to stand chest to chest with him. His husband looked rather pleased with himself before bending in for a quick press of the lips.
“Punish me later.”
His cock jerked at the growl in Robert’s voice. He seemed overly proud of himself as he stepped past Landon to take his shot. Robert Adams was one sexy motherfucker. He’d be more than happy to even the score tonight, and he was just about to voice his terms when the news anchor’s voice caught both their attention.
Landon lunged for the small remote control sitting on the barstool Robert had just vacated. He increased the volume at the mention of Autumn’s name. As predicted, she had a large enough margin to call the win. The opposing candidate had no choice but to concede.
Robert clapped, along with others throughout the bar. Where Robert was sedately excited, Landon was over the top, high fiving Robert before letting out a rip-roaring whistle. His heart pounded in his chest from the rush of excitement. The pool cue carelessly tossed on top of the table as he reached for his cell phone. Landon had Autumn on speed dial, and he pressed the number like he’d done several times over the last few hours.
“Hey, brother number two, did you see?”
Landon put her on speaker as Robert came forward, tightly circling an arm around Landon’s waist.
“We did. Congratulations,” Robert said as their little alcove filled with well-wishers, all sending her their excited, congratulatory love.
“Thank you. I’ve got to go give my acceptance speech. I love you both. Call me later. Tell Nonnie I’ll call her tomorrow morning,” Autumn said before the call disconnected. As the crowd grew and pushed forward, Robert let him go to shake the hands of the bar’s patrons. Robert eagerly introduced Landon who had never seen politics where affiliation became irrelevant. The Adamses were admired, and being back in politics seemed an exciting thing, at least to these people. Though, probably not for the man Autumn had defeated.
The bar grew silent, all eyes drawn to the screen as Autumn took the stage. There was a commanding air about her, regal and elegant, as she stood behind the podium. Autumn radiated the same peaceful inner strength Avery had possessed. Her words, like his, held the audience on both sides of the screen captive. Landon wasn’t even there, and he knew her powerful speech owned that stately room packed to capacity, because she easily owned each and every patron in this bar. Landon’s phone vibrated. He glanced down to see Kennedy Adams’s name appear on his screen. A smile tugged at the corner of his lip.
He couldn’t deny that he had truly been accepted into the Adams family. Kennedy was just on a different level. He had mad respect
