Chapter 6
SIX
BELLA
The crash of pins and the cheers from nearby lanes fill the bowling alley as I lace up my well-worn shoes. The faint smell of popcorn and lane oil lingers in the air, and I can’t help but smile. Saturday night bowling with my sisters has been our thing for years, and even though we’re all busy now, we make it a point to keep the tradition alive.
“Okay, team,” my older sister, Brooke, says, pulling her matching bowling shirt into place. “This is our night. No gutter balls, no excuses. We’re going to dominate.”
“Uh-huh,” my younger sister, Brianna, says, rolling her eyes. “Because we’re totally playing in the pro league.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Brooke shoots back. “We look good doing it.” She strikes a pose, showing off the bright red shirts we’ve had since forever, the words Pin Sisters emblazoned across the front in white block letters.
Brianna and I groan in unison, though I can’t help but laugh. “You say that every time, Brooke.”
“And I mean it every time,” Brooke replies with a grin.
We settle into our lane, Brianna going first as usual. Her ball zooms down the lane and hits just off-center, knocking down seven pins.
“Not bad!” Brooke calls out as Brianna pumps her fist.
While they reset for the next turn, I glance at my phone, catching myself before I unlock it. I’d been half-hoping to hear from Jax again today, but I hadn’t. Not that I expected to—it’s not like we’re anything to each other. Still, the thought of him lingers in the back of my mind.
“You’ve got that look,” Brooke says, leaning against the scoring table.
“What look?” I ask, grabbing my ball and trying to act casual.
“The ‘I’m thinking about someone’ look,” Brooke replies, narrowing her eyes. “You’ve been smiling to yourself since we got here. Spill it.”
“There’s nothing to spill,” I say quickly, heading to the lane.
“Oh, come on!” Brianna chimes in from behind me. “This is about the motorcycle guy, isn’t it?”
I freeze mid-step, glancing over my shoulder. “Motorcycle guy?”
“Yeah,” Brooke says, crossing her arms. “The one you told me about when we talked on the phone—the guy who saved you at the carnival. What’s his name? Jax?”
Brianna gasps dramatically. “You told her about him and not me? Rude!”
I groan, setting my ball down and turning to face them. “I didn’t tell her anything. She asked, and I said someone stepped in. That’s it.”
Brooke raises an eyebrow. “Uh-huh. And now you’re smiling every time you think no one’s looking. So, have you heard from him or not?”
I cross my arms, trying to keep my expression neutral, but my sisters are relentless.
“Ohhhh!” Brianna exclaims, clapping her hands together. “She has! Look at her face! You have to tell us everything now.”
“There’s nothing to tell,” I insist, though I can feel my cheeks heating up.
Brooke smirks. “Bella, we’ve known you your entire life. You can’t hide this from us. Now spill. Did the motorcycle guy text you or not?”
I sigh, knowing there’s no way out of this. “Fine. Yes, he texted me. We’ve talked a little. That’s it.”
Brianna practically bounces on her toes. “And?”
“And… he’s nice,” I admit, feeling my stomach do a little flip at the thought of him. “He’s different.”
Brooke’s smirk softens into a smile. “Different how?”
“I don’t know,” I say, shrugging. “He’s just… solid. Like he means what he says. He’s not fake, you know?”
Brianna and Brooke exchange glances before turning back to me with identical grins.
“Oh, you’re in trouble,” Brooke says, laughing.
“Big trouble,” Brianna agrees.
I roll my eyes, picking up my ball again. “You two are ridiculous.”
“Maybe,” Brooke says, leaning back in her chair. “But we’re not wrong.”
I shake my head, hiding my smile as I step up to the lane. They might be teasing me, but part of me knows they’re onto something.
Maybe I am in trouble. And maybe, for once, I don’t mind.
The alley is loud with the clatter of pins and bursts of laughter as I sit at the scoring table, scrolling through my phone while Brooke takes her turn. My legs are bouncing under the table, not from nerves, but because my phone buzzed a second ago and Jax’s name popped up.
We’re almost done with our third game—our “one more game” tradition before we call it a night—and my focus isn’t exactly on my aim right now.
I open his message, heart doing that little flip I’m starting to get used to.
Jax: Still bowling? What are you doing after?
I stare at the screen, my fingers hovering over the keyboard. What am I doing after? Going home, showering, and probably reading in bed? Not exactly thrilling. I don’t want to sound like a total bore, but I’m drawing a blank.
Before I can come up with something that sounds remotely fun, another message comes through.
Jax: You should come to Perdition. Bring your sisters.
I blink at the screen, caught off guard. Perdition. The club’s bar. He’s inviting me there? And not just me—my sisters, too?
“What’s with the face?” Brooke asks, plopping down in the seat next to me.
Brianna leans over my other shoulder, her eyes narrowing. “Is it him again? It is, isn’t it?”
I let out a groan, trying to angle my phone away, but it’s too late. They’re both peering over my shoulder like a pair of nosy kids.
“Ooooo, what does it say?” Brooke sings, a wide grin spreading across her face.
“Nothing,” I mumble, holding the phone closer to my chest.
“Liar,” Brianna says, laughing. “Come on, Bella, tell us! Did he ask you out?”
“Not exactly,” I say, sighing as I glance back at the screen.
Jax: Promise it’s not as wild as it sounds. Just good music, cold drinks, and some pool tables.
I bite my lip, trying not to smile. It’s like he knows exactly what I’m thinking.
“What did he say?” Brooke asks, nudging me.
I hesitate for a second before holding up the phone so they can see.
“He wants you to go to some bar?” Brianna says, her eyebrows shooting up. “Oh, no way. You’re not going alone.”
Brooke’s grin widens. “Good thing he invited us, too. This is going to be fun.”
“Wait, what?” I say, my head whipping toward her. “You two actually want to go?”
“Duh,” Brooke says, standing up and brushing off her hands. “When was the last time we went to a bar together? Besides, I need to see this Jax guy for myself.”
“Same,” Brianna says, crossing her arms. “He better live up to the hype.”
I groan, pulling my phone closer and typing a quick reply.
Me: We’re finishing our last game, but maybe. I’ll see if I can convince them.
His reply is instant.
Jax: You won’t have to. They’ll love it. Trust me.
Brooke and Brianna are already talking about what drinks they’re going to order by the time I set my phone down and grab my ball for the next frame. I shake my head, wondering how I’ve let them hijack this decision so easily.
But as I step up to the lane, I can’t deny the flutter of excitement building in my chest. I throw the ball, a terrible throw that only knocks down two pins. Jesus, I’m distracted.
I glance back at my phone as my sisters continue chattering excitedly about going to Perdition. Brooke’s already planning her first drink, and Brianna is saying something about needing to check out the pool tables. Jax’s last message is still on the screen, sitting there like an open invitation.
I try and focus as I throw my second ball, but it’s hard. I only end up knocking down three more pins. Shameful. But I don’t care. I rush back to my phone and pick it up to see if he’s replied.
Jax: You won’t have to. They’ll love it. Trust me.
Without overthinking it, I tap out a reply.
Me: See you soon.
I hit send and set my phone down, the flutter in my chest turning into a full-blown buzz of anticipation.
When I turn around, Brooke’s smirk is practically ear-to-ear. “Ohhh, ‘see you soon,’ huh? You’re already in deep, Bella.”
Brianna laughs, looping her arm through mine. “This is going to be fun. And by fun, I mean we’re going to thoroughly embarrass you in front of your new motorcycle friend.”
“Please don’t,” I groan, covering my face with one hand.
“No promises,” Brooke says, grabbing her ball. “Now hurry up and finish this game. The sooner we’re done here, the sooner we can meet your mystery man.”
They both laugh as I shake my head, hiding my smile. Thank god we all have clothes to change into. There’s no way in hell I’m walking into Perdition in my bowling jersey.