Some dive bar, Little Rock, Arkansas, Tuesday night

[saltandammo]

Dean leaned back against the wall and watched as Alec took his turn. He was always appreciative of Alec when he watched him play, even when they were playing each other. When they, like now, were hustling a couple of guys who had too much drink and too much money for their own good, it was even better because he could just appreciate it all without worrying it was gonna cost him a forfiet of some kind.

He glanced over at their opponents, both of them frowning now as they watched Alec make an especially tricky shot that ended with two balls going in two separate pockets.

"Nice!" he called out to his partner. Their opponents' frowns just deepened.