They sat quietly for a while until Dylan broke the silence with the radio.He turned on “Bye Bye Bye” by NSync, knowing it would get her to smile.It worked and the two of them laughed and sang while moving their hands along to the song at the same time.After a couple hours, they switched off driving so Ellie could rest a bit and Dylan drove the remainder of the way home.It was well after midnight when they pulled back into the garage, and they decided to leave the luggage in the car for tomorrow.
“Let’s just get inside and get a good night’s sleep before we decide what to do for our birthday staycation tomorrow.”Ellie yawned while unlocking the door.
“Sounds good, night Mom.”Dylan said, closing and locking the door behind him.
Chapter One
ELLIE
21 years earlier
I’m really nervous for some reason.
My God, Ellie, get over it, it’s just bowling.I’m arguing with myself as I walk into this dark, smokey, bowling alley with my cousin and some of her friends.
My family is visiting relatives over Christmas break, and I really don’t like bowling, but I also didn’t want to stay at the house with all the grown ups, so I went along with the group.I thought it would be fun, but my hands get all shaky just thinking about being in front of a bunch of strangers.I’m walking through crowds, following Steff and looking around, trying to fit in but also make sure that I don’t look as awkward as I feel right now.
And then I stop dead in my tracks.
My sneakers squeaking as I halted.
Literally,themost gorgeous guy I’ve ever seen is standing at the table where my cousin just sat down.She looks up and sees that I stopped so she waves her hand telling me to come on.
Gorgeous guy looks in my direction and our eyes lock.I freak out.Am I staring?I look down at my feet, then back at my cousin who is still waving her hand at me.I walk over and nervously stand there while she starts introducing me to all of her friends.
“This is Jennifer, Chris, Ryan and Lee.Guys, this is my cousin, Ellie.She’s visiting from Virginia.”She says.
“Hey Ellie!”Everyone says together.Gorgeous guy smiles at me.
I like his smile.
It’s kind of a smirk.
I like his smirk.
“Hey” I say when I sit down next to my cousin.She’s showing me where the bowling shoes are when gorgeous guy slides a chair next to us so he can sit and put his shoes on.He looks up at me while he’s pushing his foot into one of the shoes, his eyes peeking up through the whisps of hair on his forehead.He asks me how old I am.
“Thirteen” I say.I can feel my cheeks getting warm.Why am I blushing, he only asked me how old I am.
“Cool.I just turned fifteen.Today, actually, it’s my birthday.”He says while tying the laces on his shoes.
“Happy Birthday” I say.“Did you wish for stinky, borrowed, bowling shoes for your birthday?”
I laugh.
He laughs.
I like his laugh.
“They do kinda stink.”He says.And I finish putting on my stinky, borrowed, bowling shoes then stand up looking at them.They don’t really go with the baggy jeans and tight shirt look but they’ll do, I guess.
“Come on, you can be on my team.”He says.I follow him.We bowled for the next thirty minutes, and I can’t keep the grin off my face.I’m having fun and he makes me feel completely relaxed.Lee and Chris take turns showing me what I’m supposed to do next and I’m answering questions about Virginia and turning my attention back and forth between the two of them.
I got my first strike and then out of nowhere, Chris and Lee sweep me up from behind, each grabbing an arm and a leg and swing me like they’re going to bowl me down the lane.
I laugh so hard I start crying.When they set me down again and I regain my balance, I see Lee looking at me.He’s smiling and I notice for the first time that his eyes are green.
They sparkle.
