The cue ball struck the near rail, bounced to the far rail, and ricocheted off the side rail. It kissed the fourth rail, and then nudged Neville's next target ball off its perch and into the corner pocket.
A soft plop.
Nothing dramatic.
"Four rails," Pete said slowly, as if confirming this to himself.
"Four," Julius confirmed.
Sarah grabbed Pete's arm. "Did that just happen?"
"It happened," Pete said, staring at the table.
Bryan turned to Grayson. His poker-face smile had cracked in surprise, maybe even respect. "Are you sure Neville just 'kind of' knew how to play?"
Grayson picked up his glass and took a slow sip, hiding a smile. "That's what he said."
Neville was already circling the table again, and his eyes were focused as he entered into some flow state.
The next shot was the one that broke everyone.
Three balls remaining, and the angles were all wrong.
