Chapter 28
TWENTY-EIGHT
Kai
The next two days are a whirlwind as Blake and I finish the office.
I haven’t seen Ava since our night together.
We’ve texted here and there, but we are so exhausted at night.
When we’re on the phone, one of us is either yawning or falling asleep.
She’s had family commitments and is figuring out the purchase of the coffeehouse.
I’m looking forward to the charity bowling event this morning, when I can see her again.
Our team outfits consist of a bright pink polo.
Yes, I had a say in the shirt style. I’m wearing black pants, and once I’m downstairs, I dig out my bowling bag from the closet.
Yanking it out, I open it up and make sure my shoes and custom balls are ready to go.
These custom balls were created specifically for my fingers.
My fingers would get stuck in the generic bowling balls, so the only solution was to have them custom-made for my large hands.
I buff them up with my cloth and put them back in the bag.
Dragging it behind me, I load it into my car. The drive to the bowling alley is only fifteen minutes. My thoughts refocus on Ava. After a date of a lifetime a few nights ago, hearing she will be here longer is the only thing I can think about.
My brother had to knock me out of my stupor yesterday.
He said, “You need to get out of your head and put in some work to finish this office on time.” It shook me out of my head for a bit, but my brain veered back to Ava.
When I held her in my arms and we fell asleep, it was like a dream. I love being around her.
Pulling into the parking lot, I see Ava standing outside her car.
I park close, engine thrumming into the otherwise silent car.
For a moment, I just watch through the tinted windows, mesmerized by her beauty.
I witness the wind gently blowing across her wavy brown hair as it falls into her face.
Turning the engine off, I slowly exit my car, the door clicking shut behind me.
Her head turns, and our eyes meet. And she grins, a big, beautiful grin, at me.
And then she waves and calls out, “Hey! You ready to kick some ass today?” bringing me back to reality.
Her competitive spirit has me laughing. “Yes, yes, I am.”
Let’s see how all of this works out. Having competitive bowlers on our team…we might just win. Although I’m not sure if she’s actually good at it, I admire her confidence.
Walking toward her, I pull my bowling bag behind me. She tips her head to see what I’m dragging. “Um…you have a bowling bag?”
I stop mid-step and say, “Are you making fun of my bag?”
She giggles into her hand. “No, no, definitely not making fun of you,” she mumbles through her fingers that cover her mouth.
I do what any other bowling pro would do. I swagger over to her, exaggerating my steps, and whip my bag around. “I’ll have you know this bag is full of pro bowler equipment.” Trying to keep a straight face, I continue to say, “custom balls and shoes.”
She’s now keeled over laughing so hard, I think she’s going to pass out. “I’m sorry. Did you say you have custom balls?”
“I did. Are you going to pass out from not breathing properly with all that laughing?” I ask, genuinely concerned, walking toward her. She coughs, and I rush to her and tap her on the back. Not sure that’s even making a difference. “You dying?”
She’s able to take a deep breath. “I can’t wait to see you use your custom balls and shoes.” Her smile might just break her face. It's so wide.
I wrap my arm around her and give her a kiss. When she melts in my arms, I want to pick her up and run away with her. Instead, I say, “We are going to win today. Come on, let's get inside.”
She rents her shoes and finds a ball that she’s comfortable with. “I’m ready.”
While warming up, everyone takes turns bowling. When Ava is up, she’s impressive, and I wonder if she’d consider joining our bowling league. I tuck the idea away for later.
I walk up beside her and whisper, “I’m glad you’re on our team. It will make up for Logan’s lack of bowling skills.”
Dane and Kendall walk in fashionably late. I watch as Ava and Kendall make eye contact. Kendall practically screams, “I didn’t know you were going to be here.” As she hugs her and shakes.
Ava hugs her back and says, “Filling in for Theresa.”
“We are going to have so much fun.”
They continue their conversation as Dane comes up to me and we bro hug. “Hey man, did I see you and Ava kiss in the parking lot?”
I pull him away, hands still together, squeezing a bit tighter than needed. “Yes…”
“Nothing, man, just trying to stay up on all the goings on around here.” He chuckles.
I let go of his hand. “Well, it’s new, new, like two nights ago.”
“Don’t worry, Kendall will get the scoop,” he says, raising his eyebrows. “You know how she is.”
“Yeah, I sure do.”
Speaking of, Kendall and Ava are whispering, smiling, and laughing. I can only imagine what they are talking about. I walk over. “You ladies ready to win?”
“Hell yeah,” Kendall says as Dane wraps his arms around her waist and they gaze into each other’s eyes, and I can’t help but stare at their love.
Then I feel arms come around my body, and I’m shaken out of my staring session. I look over at her, and with those hazel eyes shining back at me, they say it all. I wrap both my arms around her with a slight squeeze.
Logan chirps in. “Guys, really get a room…all of you.” He shakes his head and still approaches us. “So is everyone warmed up.”“Nope.” Kendall sprints to the balls, grabs one, and throws a few down the lane. Dane strolls over, and they warm up.
“I’m grabbing some drinks. Want anything?” Logan asks.
We both shake our heads no. “Thank you, though,” Ava says with her arms still around me.
“What were you two giggling about?” I pull her into me.
She clears her throat. “Well, she asked what was going on between us because we looked cozy out in the parking lot. And I asked if her house was rented yet.” Her face tips upward, and a smile that reaches her eyes has me ready to kiss her, making a scene. But I won’t.
“That’s what Dane asked about, too. Wait…you asked her what?” I ask, picking my jaw up from the floor. After she mentioned keeping her van, I thought that might be her backup plan if things don’t work out permanently here.
For her to ask Kendall about her house rental, it has my chest filling with warmth. “You’re in this?”
“I’m in this…all the way.” Her smile falters for a second.
I embrace her, arms tightening around her body, and when we let go, I kiss her softly.
The announcer gives us the five-minute warning to wrap up our warmups, interrupting our moment. But now it’s game time, I’m pretty serious about bowling. I hold up my hand for a high-five. “We’re winning.”
She slaps my hand, but then says, “I think I’ll beat you, though. You're staring at the best player here. I’d even say better than you.”
“Is that a challenge, Ava Sinclair?” I raise my eyebrow at her as a slight smirk appears on my face.
She squints at me with those hazel eyes with specks of gold. Putting one hand on her hip, she teases. “I think it is. You ready to be beat by a girl?”
I laugh hard, really hard. “There’s no way you’ll beat my score today. I’m on fire.”
“Is that what you call on fire? You’re more like a baby flame today.” She smiles at me and winks. She fucking winks at me.
“Game on.” I rub my hands together to warm them up. “I think I’ll be kicking someone’s ass today.”
“Well, I guess we shall see who is the queen, or king of bowling today.” She turns on her heels and walks straight to our lane. Over her shoulder, she says, “Are you coming?”
It is on! I’m bringing my A game. She’ll be whining because I blew her score out of the water.
After our first ten frames of bowling, I’m in the lead but not by much. “Are we done, or are we playing another frame?” I gesture to the lane.
“You’re the pro, but I’m not that far behind you.
Yes, let's keep going. I’m upping my game, so watch out.
” The look in her eyes, she is out for blood.
I never imagined her being this competitive.
It’s sexy as hell on her. All fired up, ready to win.
I’m happy she’s on my team, even though we are battling among ourselves.
“Are you one of those sore losers? If you lose, you won’t throw your bowling ball and start throwing your shoes, will you?”
She stomps over to me with her finger waving in the air in my direction. “What do you think I am, some sort of cavewoman? No, Kai, I’m not. But what I will do is demand a rematch, which we won’t need because I’m winning this.”
“Alright, sweetheart.”
Her face softens, and she lowers her finger. We stare for a few beats. The warmth spreads through her body as she steps a little closer. “You’re on, tiger.”
“Tiger? Can I be a lion instead?”
“No, tiger fits you perfectly,” she says and takes her turn. I watch her pick up the ball, put her fingers in it, line it up, and throw it down the lane. Her perfect ass is popping as she lifts herself back up.
I’m staring, definitely staring. No one notices…
“Take a picture, it’ll last longer,” Logan says as he walks to me.
“Your brother says the same thing. You both need new lines.” I shake my head at him as I glance back at Ava. She’s graceful…and there it is, a spare. If she starts throwing strikes, it really will be game over.
“You and Ava are…” Kendall flaps her hand in the air.
“Cozy.” I finish her sentence.
“Yes. Happiness looks good on you, Kai. You deserve it.” I’m not sure where that came from, but it sends warmth through my body, knowing Ava makes me happy—a different kind of happy, like I’m whole.
Ava finishes and walks over to us. “It’s your turn…good luck, tiger.”
Kendall’s eyes bounce between us. “You guys aren’t competitive at all…”
Dane walks over and drapes his arm around Kendall’s shoulder. “Did you ask them yet?”
When I see the smirk on Kendall’s face, I have a feeling she’s up to something. “No, no, not yet. But while we are here. Kai, I noticed your RSVP didn’t include a plus-one. Maybe Ava wants to be your plus one. I mean, she’ll be there anyway, right, Ava?”
Ava nods.
“Okay, great, I’ll mark you guys down…as a couple.”
I turn to Ava. “You okay with being my date for their wedding—take two?” I hold up two fingers.
“I’d be honored to be your date.” She taps my chest and pecks my cheek with her soft, plump lips.
Every day with her is a day I’m a man destined to fall madly in love with her, if I haven’t already. No, I already have.
She slides her hand over my arm, and she flashes a sinister smile my way. “You’re turn.” She is ruthless, and I love that about her, too.
I pick up my custom ball, line it up, and throw it down the lane. It’s not looking good, but then at the last minute it twists just enough. Sure as shit, I threw a strike. To rub it in her face, just a bit, I moonwalk on the floor back to the bench.
Pointing my finger at her, I have this in the bag. “I’m winning this.”
“Don’t get too cocky…You never know what I have up my sleeve.”
We’ve been neck and neck. I’m still not sure how she pulled forward. Between a couple of strikes and a couple of spares, she caught up quickly. I wonder how often she goes bowling? Is this a current pastime or a love from her childhood? She knows how to play; I’m impressed.
Her turn next. I watch her throw another strike.
She sways past me again, wishing me luck. The ball leaves my hands, and it looks straight as it heads toward that first pin. At the last minute, it twists to the left and only hits three pins. I turn and find her. “Did you curse my balls?”
Our entire team erupts in laughter. I watch her lick her lips with that tongue of hers. I have something she can lick.
She shakes her head no, but then mouths, “I would never.” Then she comes out with an exaggerated wink. She’s egging me on. I need to concentrate. I need a Hail Mary in this last round. If I throw a spare, I keep the lead. If I bomb this, she wins!
With one more throw down the lane, the ball leans close to the gutter but pulls back into the lane…only to knock down one more pin. With my hand dragging down my face, I know I’ll never hear the end of this.
I stand up straight and walk over to the bench and sit down, like I’m not totally sulking because I lost. Then I feel gentle hands on my shoulders, rubbing them. I look over my shoulder, and there she is, standing behind me.
“You played really well,” she whispers in my ear as her breath skates across my neck.
A zing down my spine has me adjusting my pants as she continues to rub my shoulders.
She has strong hands. Moving my head back and to the front, as she continues to loosen up the knots in my neck and shoulders.
Not from bowling per se, I’ve done a ton of manual labor, and this is just what I need.
It’s even better than sitting in the hot tub.
I don’t even look behind me. It feels too good. I croak out, “You were better. Great job.”
The rest of the team congratulates her on the big win. No one has ever beaten me.
“Sis, great job kicking the shit out of this guy. You know he’s a pro.” He playfully jabs me with his elbow right in the ribs.
She leans back in and says, “I win.”