*This is a work of fiction. The characters presented in this are entirely made up and not based on anyone living, dead or from a galaxy far far away. Any similarities to actual people or situations is a damn shame.
**Thanks to the folks like Kumani, who assisted in editing this story.
*
Cheryl eyed the hood of the car where the steam was billowing up in front and from both sides as she drove. She hoped that the car would make it to a parking spot before it finally died or exploded or just fell apart around her. Finally she was able to stop the car, turn of the motor and contemplate this new headache. Looking in the rearview mirror, she was practically dripping with sweat.
As she opened the door, she felt no relief as the hot, humid air hit her. Feeling miserable, she maneuvered herself out of the car, looked around for somewhere to call AAA. Feeling tired and cranky because of the oppressive heat, she let out a primal scream inside the car. It helped to some extent but didn't improve the situation any.
She was in an older part of town, in the parking lot of a bar and a now closed video rental place. Fortunately, it was in the after noon and the bar was open for business. Entering, she looked around for the bartender.
The bartender was returning from the pool table where four older men were engrossed in a game. The two other tables were empty. She felt transported in time because the bar was reminiscent of an old small neighborhood bar as opposed to the large hip places she was used to.
Walking up to the bar, she noticed the men had all turned and were watching her enter their lair. Here she was a twenty-six year-old woman entering a bar in an older part of town where the youngest person seemed to be the fifty+ year-old bartender. Cheryl realized she was way out of her element and felt more than a little uncomfortable.
Sitting on a stool, with a sigh, it was good to be off her feet and in a somewhat cooler place. "Are you okay, hon?" the waitress asked in a manner that amused Cheryl. Still flush from the heat, Cheryl explained her car problem and asked for a glass of water. Putting her purse on the table, she extracted her cell then took out her wallet to get her AAA card.
First, she tried David, her husband's number, but since he was going to be in meetings all day, she was not surprised when it went straight to voice mail. "Hey sweetie, just wanted to let you know you were right, we should have gotten a new car and not keep the old one 'til it dies because it just might have. Everything is fine, talk to ya' later, love ya'."
Dialing AAA, Cheryl noticed that her cell phone battery was getting very low, "Excuse me, ma'am." "Just call me Billie" the bartender said. "Thanks Billie, my cell is running low, is there somewhere I can recharge it, or can I use your phone number for the tow truck." Smiling, Billie wrote the number on a napkin and handed a phone handset to Cheryl, "here ya' go sweetie."
"Thanks" Cheryl said, as she put her cell phone into her pants pocket.
After finishing that call, even though she would have to wait at least two hours, she was able to sit back and relax in the cool building. A television was on above the bar, showing an old football game.
Staring blankly at the screen, she felt a strong sensation growing between her legs. Not sure if it was due to hearing her husbands voice or, the stale, musty atmosphere of the bar or the heat or just a combination of them all, but she really wished she had stayed home with her toys.
While Cheryl was engrossed in the game, one of the men from the pool table approached. "Heard you were having some car trouble?" "Yeah, it had been on its last legs for a while now, but hopefully the wrecker will be here soon." "Well, if you want, you can join us for a game or two, might help the time go fast." Cheryl thanked him and said, that it was nice. Besides, it might take her mind off the wetness growing between her legs. "But I warn you, I'm pretty good." "Just makes it more challenging,." he replied. "By the way, I'm JT" he said extending his hand.
Though he was probably in his sixties, he had a firm, solid handshake. "I'm Cheryl."
Getting up, Cheryl followed JT to the table. He introduced her to Ben and Joe. Shaking their hands they all expressed concern about her car, but were glad she had decided to join them. "'Bout time we got some new blood here, I'm tired of the same old geezers" Ben said laughing.
She wasn't sure, but it looked like Ben was checking her out as he spoke. Shaking the thought from her mind, she realized she was being silly. Thinking she was a frizzy haired, sweaty disheveled horror, she still, felt flattered.
"Oops, I forgot my water,." she said. "Here, let me get it for you," Joe volunteered. When he arrived at the bar, he spoke to Billie for a moment. After stifling a guffaw, Billie looked at Cheryl with a very amused look on her face.
Puzzled, Cheryl asked Joe about it when he returned.
"She just told me that I needed to keep an eye on ya', since you're hangin' with some very disreputable types." Laughing to herself Cheryl said, "I think I'll take my chances." Racking up the balls, Joe looked at Cheryl and asked, "you want to break them." "Careful, guys," JT said. "She tells me she's pretty good." "Really?" said Ben. Joe spoke up, "why don't we make it a little more interesting?"
Feeling a little bit of nervousness build up in me, I cautiously asked, "how interesting?" "How about we go for the pot?" He said as he pointed to an old ball cap with money in it. It's up to $9, and you may need it more than us for your car."
Very relieved, Cheryl threw a $20 bill into the pot. "Wow," said JT, "We're not used to such high stakes." "Don't get too used to it, I don't plan on leaving it here." "Ok, enough trash talkin', Cheryl will break, then each of us will get a turn, whoever sinks the highest number ball gets to play first."
Cheryl picked a cue, lined up her shot and took it. Since this wasn't a real game, she didn't hit the ball with too much power. The guys then took their turn, and Joe ended up being the first to go up against Cheryl.
This time, Cheryl broke with a much more precise stroke. Looking up, she noticed Joe with an impressed look. "Damn" whispered JT, to his pals on the stools, "she wasn't bs'ing."
Cheryl always had a bit of a competitive streak in her and seeing that these men saw her as a "real" player heated her up even further. She sank four balls, before she was stuck with no good shots. Joe was only able to sink two but his manner quickly changed. Gone was the smile and in its place was a look of concentration.
Cheryl reflected on how nice it was that they'd had a pool table in the basement growing up. Of course, these guys didn't need to know that. After a couple more turns for each, Joe set up the eight ball perfectly for Cheryl to sink, which she did.
Joe was visibly annoyed, but still maintained good humor about it.
"Boys" he said, "we may have a shark on our hands."
Cheryl only smiled, but inside she was ready to burst, in a couple of different ways.
Next up was JT, as she bent over to take her opening shot she noticed Joe leering at her, puzzled, she took her shot, stood up, turned around and glanced down. She realized she was wearing a v-neck top and had been giving them a very nice view of her bosom. The fact that she was having a sexual effect on these men gave her a happy feeling that flowed through her body. Besides, if it gave her a slight advantage, well then, so be it.
JT was much more of a challenge, and it seemed that luck was with him, until he managed to scratch.