♕Harley Anderson♕

Ramiro takes me to a pub not too far from his house. It's small and quaint and one of the only ones I've seen in the area, allowing me to understand that it is quite locally popular. However, it's empty inside with all the people who are parked in the lot being in the diner next to it. Well, empty aside from a bunch of Kings members who stand around a pool table and play an interesting game I've never seen before.

Bruno takes aim at the white ball, shutting one eye and sticking his tongue out before hitting it and a ball rolls into a socket.

"Yes!" He cheers, throwing his hands up and Ramiro rolls his eyes. He's losing painfully.

The pub isn't anything fancy- its wooden floors and furniture seem to have been put to good use and there isn't really much of a colour scheme. But I like it. And I like the woman who owns it even more- Lady. She has short black hair, cut into a buzzcut and a tattoo of a crow around her neck. She simply wipes down the bar counter while we play pool and seems unbothered by the volume at which the members converse in.

"You really are a fool at playing." Bruno says to Ramiro and he hits the man on the shoulder, earning a laugh from him. Ramiro, Jee and Kevin remain on one team while Bruno, Adrianna and Keva remain on the other. However, Jee doesn't really do much except hit the ball, win and then sulk in the corner before repeating the process. Due to my lack of fluency in Spanish everyone tries to speak in English for my sake- which I really appreciate- while Jee makes a point to speak in Spanish. I can feel her dislike for me radiating off of her body.

"Oh quit tormenting him, Bruno. I don't support bad sportsmanship." Keva tsks, flicking her hair over her shoulder. Bruno rolls his eyes at Keva.
I feel somebody join me on the table I'm sat on and I look over to see the pixie-like girl- Adrianna- crossing her legs on the table. She pulls out a cigarette and places it between her lips, lighting it up.

"Don't be getting none of that cig ash on the floor Addy!" Lady exclaims, wagging a finger in Adrianna's direction. An innocent smile passes over her face and she exhales a cloud of smoke.

"Wouldn't dream of it, momma." She replies and Lady rolls her eyes in good nature before disappearing to a backroom. When she's gone, Adrianna shakes her head. "I've never met someone who owns a pub but doesn't support smoking. So fucking weird."

I laugh at her remark, looking back to the pool table when Ramiro lets out a big cheer and throws an arm around Jee, pulling her into his chest.

"Are they all always this boisterous?" I ask as they all laugh over Ramiro's recent shot. Adrianna shrugs one shoulder.

"Mostly. Except when they're working. They're almost unrecognizable. I mean, Bruno is terrifying when he's working but when he isn't... he's like a big teddy bear."

"What does Bruno do for the gang?" The question slips out faster than I can grasp it and Adrianna takes in a long inhale before blowing the smoke out to the side, away from my face.

"Hitman."

My mouth drops open and my eyebrows raise up on my forehead. I sat next to Bruno the first day I met the gang and he was and has being nice to me ever since. He's a ball of energy and kindness, such a gentleman. And yet his hands are scarred with murder?

"Kevin and Jee are the bait. The ones who play whatever role needed."

"Jee?" I whisper in surprise and Adrianna gives me a sideways glance of amusement.

"Shocking, I know. But she isn't always a bitter bitch, sulking in a corner. In fact, you wouldn't believe what a good act she can put on."

"So she isn't just being bitter because I'm here?"

A scoffing noise is made at the back of her throat and Adrianna shakes her head. "Nah. She's the coldest chick I've probably ever met. Except for when she's with Ray. They're best friends. And he somehow brings out the good in her- cliche, I know, but still true. I don't really know what Ray sees so redeemable in her but he does have a habit of seeing the good in people that seem to have none."

While Kevin is taking a shot, Ramiro says something to Jee who is still beneath his arm and her lips twitch as she tries to keep a smile back but after Ramiro ruffles her hair, she cracks up and laughs before pushing at his chest so he's forced to let go of her. I'm not surprised Ramiro has a unique relationship with her- he has a different way of looking at things. But I also remember how he had spoken to her the day she insulted me at the dinner table. Clearly they have a strange dynamic.

"Anyway, Ramiro is obviously a fighter and hacker. Not fighting right now because he's obviously representing the Slithers. I'm the gang thief, and softie over there," Adrianna points to Keva, "is a racer."

"How come I've never seen her at the track?"

"She just got back from Chicago actually. But you'll see her a lot more now. She's well known around the track." The girl beside me puts her cigarette out in the astray in the middle of the table before calling out for Lady. The owner peeks her head out of the door and raises an eyebrow. "Where's the music at?"

"That's actually a damn good question." Kevin adds, dramatically looking around before his face lights up. He quickly makes his way to the back of the bar counter, turning on the radio and increasing the volume. At first, pop music streams through the speakers and they all let out groans of displeasure- aside from Keva who seems happy to hear Taylor Swift- and Kevin flicks through the channels before selecting a channel that offers music that you can actually dance to. He returns to his team, the music that's playing in the room causing them to speak louder.

I watch as Ramiro aims his poolstick at the white ball, closing one eye as he concentrates as much as possible to try and hit it. When he pushes the stick forward, however, he misses and everyone lets out snickers of amusement before Ramiro throws his hands up in defeat.

"You know what? Fuck this shit." He grumbles, walking over to Adrianna. "Please take my spot. I'm tired of making a fool of myself." He outstretches the poolstick to her and she smiles smugly before hopping off of the table and taking Ramiro's place. The man makes himself comfortable next to me, leaning against the table.

"You know, you're something that most people would call a sore loser." I poke fun at him and he bumps his shoulder against mine.

"Hey, it's hurtful when your friends rub it in your face that your skills suck okay?"

"At least we're not talking about your sucking skills!" Kevin hollers, Bruno spluttering on air, and Ramiro gives him a sarcastic smile before flipping him the middle finger. Suddenly, Ramiro is shooting upright, a look of pure excitement on his face- and Kevin long forgotten- and I raise an eyebrow in confusion.

"This sound is a fucking bop!" He exclaims and I laugh at how he slowly begins to start swaying to a slow song that's in a different language. Ramiro makes a point of hopping around dramatically, one hand over his heart and the other in the air as he closes his eyes, moves to the beat and dances around.

"Fuck. Not again." Kevin mumbles and I can't help but laugh. That is until Ramiro has made his was around the pool table and back to me, forcing off of the table. I try to fight his pushing but he's too strong and I'm soon falling into his chest.

"I don't dance Ramiro." I whine and he shakes his head, placing one hand on my waist and the other on my hand which he raises in the air and extends out in front of us.

"It's a simple one-two-three step thing okay?" He explains and I nod in a flustered manner. Ramiro starts moving us to the music and I try and follow his movements that are rather simple as we move around the room. I manage not to mess up and he laughs at me when I shyly look away.

Fuck, I hate dancing.

"Stop being so embarrassed. You're doing great." He tells me and I let out a shriek when he twirls me out before pulling me back in. "See? You got it. Now, let's go a little faster."

He moves us along the floor at a faster rate and the others whistle at us which makes me giggle and shake my head. Despite knowing that I probably look like a fool because of my inability to dance well, I cannot help but feel thrilled in the moment. Ramiro twirls me back out again and when he tries to reel me back in, I miss my footing and hit the floor on my bum with a loud thud. Everyone bursts into laughter and I can't control my chortling as I rub my ass. However, Ray finds it hilarious as he stands in front of me, hands on his knees as he laughs with a tomato-red face. Tears stream down his eyes and Bruno comes to my rescue, helping me up off of the floor while Ray continues to laugh. I rub at my ass, attempting to scowl at Ray but finding it futile when I pack out laughing.

"Now you know why we don't support Ray's dancing." Bruno mutters and I let out an unattractive snort before Ramiro finally recovers, breathing hard. I offer him a glare and he gives me an innocent smile.

"Alright, I'm sorry." He says but I see the smile he's trying to keep at bay and I punch his shoulder before rolling my eyes and making my way to the rest who seemingly took a break from playing pool to watch me fall on my ass.

"Let me play a game against Ramiro. I'll make it fair after he dropped me on my ass." I say to Keva, saying the last part louder and giving Ray a pointed look. He holds his hands up in surrender before pouting at the pool stick Kevin extends towards him.

"Do we really have to play a game of pool Harley? You saw how terrible I am at it."

"All the more reason to do it." I smirk and Keva takes a step beside me, leaning her arm on my shoulder.

"Exactly. Us girls gotta stop letting guys get away with everything."

"Oh shut up Keva." Adrianna rolls her eyes with a smile. "You're such a romantic that you'd accept almost any guy who would make you feel like you were in a movie. And you'll let him get away with everything on top of it."

Keva flips her the finger and Adrianna blows her a kiss. Ramiro lets out a sigh before taking aim at the balls after Kevin has set them up.

"Girls are better with balls hey, Ray. Just remember that." Keva teases and I laugh. Ramiro gets a ball into a socket and lets out a cheer with Kevin and I roll my eyes.

"Think you're still going to win?"

"I don't doubt it." I reply to Kevin and Ramiro raises a brow. Leaning over and aiming the stick at the ball, I say: "May the best man win."

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