Chapter 17
Morgan
Pins crashed against the far wall of the building while balls knocked to the floor in irregular patterns. Morgan was glad she’d taken some preemptive ibuprofen along with a heavy supply of water.
Oakview didn’t have a lot in the way of entertainment, but it loved its bowling, evidenced by every lane being full with a waiting list that Friday night.
A woman in a tight blue T-shirt and even tighter jeans returned to the tables with two more pitchers of beer. She tapped a perfectly manicured finger on top of the pitcher nearest Morgan and said, “Time for a refill!”
Morgan waved a hand over her mostly empty mug. “I’m good, thanks.”
She was hoping to sneak away soon, and didn’t want to down another beer in case her opportunity presented itself.
The woman shrugged. “Suit yourself.” Then, she poured herself a mug and sashayed over to the loudest cluster of people gathered for Felicia’s bachelorette party.
It wasn’t that Morgan didn’t want to be there.
Okay, that was a lie.
But she at least wanted to be there for her sister. She was doing a crap job of that so far.
In all fairness, she knew exactly no one in that bowling alley. It was all of Felicia’s old sorority sisters and a couple of coworkers from the bank. They all had people to talk to, and she didn’t have anything in common to talk to any of them about.
“You’re making me sad out here.”
Felicia plopped into a chair across from Morgan at the small table holding the pitcher and several forgotten empty mugs.
She wore a white bride-to-be T-shirt and wobbled a little as she sat.
Morgan hoped one of those friends would be sober enough to drive her sister home, or at least smart enough to pay for a ride.
“Don’t be sad.” That was the last thing she wanted. And probably a good reason Morgan should disappear soon. “I’m fine. I’m enjoying watching you have a good time.”
Felicia leaned across the table, definitely wobbly, and poked a finger at Morgan. “But I want you to have a good time, too.”
“I am, I promise. Didn’t you see me bowling?”
Morgan hadn’t bowled in years, and that actually was a fun bit of the night.
“I also saw you miss picking up that split. I don’t care how long it’s been, you could pick that up in your sleep.”
She wasn’t wrong. Morgan had fudged the swing just a little, so she was close but missed the 3 pin. She was already the odd one out at this thing. No point in making everyone think she was a show-off on top of her awkward social skills.
“It was good to be on a lane again,” Morgan said, ignoring the comment. “I’m glad you picked this place. And everyone looks like they’re having a blast.”
She gestured at the group of giggling and cackling women and smiled at their joy. It really seemed to be a good choice of event.
“So,” Felicia said. “How’s my nephew?”
“Reginald is the same as always. A big, sometimes-cranky baby.”
“Okay, I can’t take it anymore, and I’m not sober enough for subtlety.” Felicia scooted in her chair and leaned over the table to whisper above the noise of the bowling alley. “Who is this mystery date you’re bringing to the wedding?”
“She’s not a date. I told you. I’m bringing a friend.”
Was she?
That kiss last Sunday said otherwise.
Although nothing had actually been said about it.
Nothing had been said about anything, really.
Morgan hadn’t spoken to Danielle since that afternoon last weekend.
As far as she knew, that could have freaked Danielle out enough not to come to this wedding with her anymore.
Which would be a shame for the glaring reason that Morgan would miss having her there, but also since she’d just made something she was looking forward to giving Danielle specifically for the occasion.
“A friend doesn’t make your cheeks turn pink like that,” Felicia said. “And you’re even paler than me, so don’t even think you can get away with hiding that.”
“I’m not hiding anything,” Morgan said. “We just have… an arrangement. That’s all. She’s coming to make a stressful situation more bearable, and I’ve promised her your high-class catering.”
“Morgan,” Felicia said in a firm voice. “She is not coming to my wedding for the food.”
“You sound like Jen.”
“Jen is a smart woman,” Felicia said. “Now tell me what’s really going on with you and this woman.”
Morgan took a deep breath. She couldn’t lie to her sister. Never could. They’d had their differences over the years, mostly where their mom was concerned, but they’d always been honest with each other.
“Morgan! You’re up!”
Saved by a shouting sorority sister.
“Can’t talk, gotta bowl,” she said in a singsong voice as she walked away from the table.
“Fine,” Felicia said. “But I’ll still be here when you get back!”
Morgan found her bright orange ball with the finger holes spaced too far from the thumb hole for her liking.
She lifted the ball and lined up on the lane.
With her eyes aimed at the arrow she wanted, she took three steps and slid on the fourth.
Then, she watched as the ball rolled down the lane and just missed the head pin.
“Awww,” the gathered women said in unison.
“I thought you had that!”
“Almost!”
Morgan smiled and nodded at them as she waited for her ball to return. During the next shot, she lined up in the same spot and purposely missed the head pin again.
She passed through the gauntlet of encouragement and walked back to her table. Felicia was still sitting there, as promised.
Felicia poured herself another beer while Morgan sat across from her. “So. Back to business. Tell me all about this woman who makes you blush.”
Morgan decided against arguing that Danielle didn’t make her blush. That would be an obvious lie at this point.
“She’s a teacher. Kind and sweet. I met her when she came over to keep me company at Kim’s recommitment ceremony,” Morgan said. “And yes, she’s pretty. But, like I said, we’re friends. Nothing else.”
“Why? She’s kind and sweet and pretty. Why aren’t you dating her?”
“My stance on relationships still stands.”
Felicia rolled her eyes. “You can’t let Mom ruin everything. This is about you.”
“It’s not just about Mom,” she argued. “It’s about everything. Mom, the money, commitment… all of it.”
“I still say you can overcome everything.” She shrugged. “I did.”
Morgan held back from reminding Felicia that their mother had never asked her to be something she wasn’t, so it was easier for her to ignore the crappiness and carry on with her life.
But she wasn’t wrong. Morgan had been thinking a lot that week.
Ever since that kiss she couldn’t get out of her head.
If she really wanted to, and if she found the right person who wouldn’t lose their mind over the money situation, she was pretty sure she could get past all of her relationship objections. Eventually.
Danielle made her see that. Someone like Danielle could be worth it.
“It doesn’t matter anyway,” Morgan said. “She doesn’t want a relationship either.”
“I hope she has a better reason than you do.”
“She has a kid. From what I understand, that’s kind of a full-time job on top of teaching. She doesn’t have time for anything else.”
“Yet she’s making time to come to my wedding.”
“That’s a onetime thing.”
“Felicia! It’s your turn, babe!”
Felicia took a sip of beer, then put down the mug and stood. “Duty calls.”
Morgan stood along with her. “I think I’m going to head out. I don’t want to end up with a headache from the noise in here.”
“Aww.” Felicia pouted and rounded the table to throw her arms around Morgan and squeeze. “We need to hang out more often.”
Morgan was pretty sure that was the beer talking.
And she wasn’t entirely sure how she felt about that prospect, despite their last few conversations going much better than they had in years.
Marriage was having an effect on her sister.
Or maybe Morgan was changing. Or maybe they were both growing past their differences.
Whatever it was, Morgan was glad things were finally going better between them. At least for now.