I cheated myself. Like I knew I would.

I’m No Good by Amy Winehouse.

The barkeep watched as the game of poker seemed to increase in intensity. He kept polishing glasses as if he wasn’t really concerned, but he had already subtly edged closer to where he had a loaded shotgun stashed under the counter. In a town with only one lawman around, it paid to have back up available if trouble erupted. He wasn’t above throwing a punch or two if he needed to, but usually the shotgun was enough of a deterrent.

Usually.

He glanced up, noting the two recent holes in the plaster ceiling and shook his head at the memory of the two drunkards who had refused to listen when told politely to leave the premises. Of course, he would have preferred to unload both barrels in their obnoxious hides as they had thrown drunken taunts at him, but he had enough self-control to stop himself.

Just.

The sheriff was a good man, but even he would have had a hard time defending that one. Harris looked across again at the group at the far table and shook his head. That new fella had something of an air of trouble about him. He’d been shuffling those cards all afternoon and taking on several of his best customers at round after round of poker.

He was young and cocky. It had initially appeared to Harris that this young pup either didn’t know how to play poker well or was just drawing in his prey. Either approach could be dangerous and he kept a close eye on the game. Suddenly a shout was followed closely by the unmistakable click of a gun being cocked. Both players were on their feet and Harris grasped at the shotgun almost automatically.

The young fella had his pistol pointed squarely at the other player’s chest. Harris knew Andy wasn’t above a little sleight of hand and he rounded the bar as Andy pointed angrily at the stranger.

“You cheated! You didn’t have no ace of spades!”

The young fella just stared right back, calmly assured by his pistol still aimed at Andy’s chest before he’d been quick enough to draw his own weapon.

“And how would you know that?”

Andy sputtered in fury as he pointed at his friends at the table.

“They know too! You didn’t have no ace!”

The two friends sat on either side, uncertain of just how to respond. It wasn’t like Andy hadn’t stashed a card or two up a sleeve before, but this time they were three against one and the one was a stranger. A stranger holding a gun on them.

When he looked back later and relayed the story to Sheriff Wilson, Harris couldn’t quite explain how he’d gotten that young fella to back down with nothing more than a curse before walking away. He’d been certain Andy was going to end up with a hole in him.

“I never cheated you!”

“I cheated myself. Like I knew I would,” Clay muttered as he walked towards the door.