“I did it! Oh my god!”
“You did.” Our eyes lock for a moment and his green eyes search mine. He leans forward slightly. He isn’t going to kiss me for the first time here? In the middle of a bowling alley? In front of my brother?
“Alright, break it up,” Julia says, moving us out of the way. “Let me get in here and show you how it’s really done.” Julia pats my arm and gives me a nod. Did she notice the panic in my eyes?
“Show us what those magic hands of yours can do Jules,” Gage says, biting down on his lower lip.
Joe ushers me to a table just outside the bowling area. “I ordered you a beer and some food. I wasn’t sure what you liked so I got a little bit of everything.”
“This is great. Thanks.” I gladly take a sip of the beer. I’m not much of a beer drinker but at this point, I’m not going to be choosy. I need something to calm mynerves.
“We have a few minutes before it’s our turn again. What do you want to talk about?” he asks, grabbing a slice of pizza for himself.
“Oh um.” I take a plate and add a slice of pizza and a few fries. “When did you start bowling?”
“My granddad was part of a league. I spent the summers with him when I was younger. I guess all his lessons stuck with me.”
“That’s sweet. I got my infatuation with crafting and making things from my grandmother. She was really big into decoupage.”
“Decoupage?” he questions. “I’ve never heard of it before.”
“It’s when—” I start to say but someone else begins to talk over me.
“You take pieces of paper and glue them on to different objects to decorate them or create art,” Koa says.
The sound of his voice coils around my heart and squeezes in an attempt to bring it back to life. Suddenly it feels wrong to be sitting here next to Joe with his arm draped over the back of my chair.
“When did you become so well versed with arts and crafts?” Joe jokes with him. Koa doesn’t seem amused.
“Never. I’m well versed in her.” He nods in my direction. His admission shocks me. It’s unexpected. Why is he pretending he knows me so well when we barely have conversations anymore? I have more conversations with myself than I do Koa. What is hetrying to prove?
“Oh, right, you and her brother are friends.” Joe’s thumb grazes against my shoulder. I fidget in my seat. Koa stares at Joe’s hand like the protector and watch dog he has always been. He looks like he is ready to tear his entire arm off.
“We are,” he replies.
“Maybe you should go say hi,” I suggest. Koa ignores me and pulls out a seat across from me.
“I’m good here.” He reaches across the table and lifts my beer to his mouth. I gasp. “You don’t like beer,” he says with a shrug.
“You should have said something. What do you like?” Joe stands.
“I like beer just fine,” I assure him. Koa huffs a quick laugh. “It’s your turn next anyway. Don’t worry about it.” I take my beer back from Koa and drink the rest of it. “See? It’s delicious.” Or is it better knowing Koa’s lips were pressed against this glass before mine?
“After my turn, I’ll get you something else, babe.” He squeezes the top of my shoulder before leaving to take his turn.
“What are you doing here?” I ask Koa once Joe is out of earshot.
“Well,babe, last I checked this was a public bowling alley.”
“I thought we agreed to plan Nash’s party and stay away from each other.” I glance over at Joe. He’s getting ready to throw his second ball.
“I don’t remember agreeing to anything,” he replies.
My teeth grind as I stand from my seat. Why is he here? Why is he purposely making this harder for me? I can’t focus on forming a relationship with someone new when he’s here reminding me of everything from my past.Our past.
I feel Koa’s eyes on me the entire walk to the lane. I hastily grab my ball but take my time setting up my shot. I feel more confident than I did the first time.I can do this.
This time I picture Koa’s face on all the pins. Unfortunately the ball slips out of my fingers before I’m ready and bounces straight into the gutter. A few people laugh, bringing me right back to Koa’s birthday party years ago.
