Trying to contain her relief and excitement at seeing Zac's car in front of the almost seedy but popular pool hall, Emma couldn't suppress her grin. And it seemed, neither could Isaac.
   Both racing from the vehicle, they tried to out-run the other to the front door.
   Arriving at the same time, they turned to each other for a moment. "Let's try and be calm and sensible about this." Isaac dictated.
   Emma nodded amicably, "Totally. We just ask what's going on. Stay cool and collected, and take them both home and be done."
   Isaac nodded as well, and while taking a deep breath, he held the door open for them, and they stepped inside the dimly lit, smoke filled room and felt at home.

   "You're still trying to hit the ball too hard." Zac stated gently, as Grace expertly missed the cue ball and hit the side of the table with a loud-dull thwack.
   He winced at the noise, which was fast becoming a reoccurring one.
   Raising aggravated eyes, Grace blew a long strand of hair out of her face and slowly stood up.
   The lone light bulb above the pool table and the steady cloud of cigarette smoke wasn't allowing her to see him clearly on the side of the table. "Give me a break, okay? This is like the second time I've played."
   Shaking his head, Zac moved beside her and started showing her how to maneuver the cue stick. Again.
   Letting her shoot again, Grace managed to finally hit the cue ball, and bounce it off the table and onto the once red now nearly black carpet. Causing a thud. Which Zac had to admit as he bent over to pick it up, it was a definite welcomed change.
   Finally giving up on trying to teach her, they just shot around, having fun.
   When he tried once more to show her the right way to shoot, Zac actually bent over her, trying hard to concentrate on the technique than on her.
   Which she made damn near impossible, as she kept staring up at him instead of on the game.
   Turning to look at her, she slowly inched forward and Zac knew they were going to kiss again.
   At McDonald's it had been a quick peck, just a small teasing test. To determine if they actually liked kissing each other. Low and behold, they did, but hadn't tried again since.
   Moving forward himself, Zac started to close his eyes when a sudden movement caught his eye.
   He immediately stopped once he saw Isaac and Emma looking on.
   Pulling away almost instantly, as if burned, Grace stumbled into the table and glared at him. "What's wrong?"
   Nodding behind her, Zac kept his mouth shut and focused on the couple glaring at him as well. "It's not what you think."
   "Isn't that the first sign of guilt?" Emma asked ruefully. "Automatic defense."
   "I think so." Isaac agreed calmly, his thumbs hooked into his pockets. "Evidently denial isn't just a river in Egypt anymore."
   Emma smiled slightly at that, and watched as Grace stiffened, turned around slowly and gave a weak smile and wave. "Hey, Em." Her voice cracked, "Fancy meeting here, huh?"
   Emma nodded sagely, "It sure is, Gracie girl." She leaned against another table, and stared down Zac, who finally gave up and looked away.
   Raising an eyebrow at Isaac, they let the silence thicken around them, as they watched the two younger one's look around the windowless room intent on not looking at them or each other.
   "Those racecar and football posters aren't that interesting." Emma declared firmly.
   "What's going on between you two?" Isaac asked suddenly, taking the spot next to Emma. In this, they were standing together.
   Shuffling his feet for a moment, Zac finally lifted his head and stared them on brazenly in a sudden act of rebellion. "What's it to you, Ike?"
   Grace's look at Emma, was asking the same thing.
   "We want to know why you're all of a sudden together." She admitted freely.
   "It's not your business."
   The sharp answer didn't sit well with either of them, and they stood from their slouched positions. Each heading to stand in front of them.
   "You cried over Taylor, his brother for God's sake!" Emma blazed hotly, "he played you! And yet you're with his brother?!"
   Isaac was scowling as well at Zac. "Why do you want Tay's leftover's? He's already used her and discarded her! What? You want to do the same?"
   Fuming at the attack, Zac shoved Isaac from his face. "You don't know anything, Ike!" He shouted angrily. "So stop playing like you do!"
   Looking up from their own heated debate, Grace and Emma watched as the two brothers watched each other carefully. Their backs rigid, their fists clenched, each ready for a fight.
   Walking away from Emma, Grace walked over behind Zac and put her hand on his arm. "Come on." She murmured, "let's go."
   At Zac's curt nod, they went to retrieve their jackets when Emma and Isaac stopped them.
   Emma looked between them both; "I'll take you home, Gracie." She nodded towards Isaac. "Ike can catch a ride with Zac."
   Opening her mouth to protest Zac nodded towards the pool table. His eyes lighting with the pure thought; "Play you for it."
   Looking at Isaac for his input, he shrugged and Emma nodded. "Fine. We'll play doubles. Ike and I against you two. Whichever team wins, gets to decide who goes home with who."
   The terms were agreed upon, and each of them moved to grab their weapon. For it was definitely going to be a righteous battle.