Chapter Five

Once home, I change my clothes to jean shorts and one of my nicer black shirts. I decided to attempt to straighten my hair but the beast can never be tamed all the way. It still had a bit of curl left in it but overall, I was satisfied with the way I looked. I grabbed my small purse that I rarely used and headed for the door. I hadn't noticed my Dad arrive home and jumped at the sound of his voice. 

"Where the hell are you going?"  He lounged on the couch and I saw the half empty pint of whiskey next to him. This wasn't a fight I wanted tonight.

"I got called into work." I hoped he was too drunk to notice my clothes.

“In that? Yeah, right. Don’t lie to me. You’re probably going to get high or fuck some guy. You’re just like your mother.” His tone was harsh but he never raised his voice. My hand tightened around the door handle and I bit my tongue. I didn’t have time to fight with him and I knew he was just baiting me, trying to get a reaction.

“No, actually. I’m going to go get some whiskey and sit at home to drink my life away. Like my Dad.” I quickly rush out the door as I hear the glass bottle shatter against it. I didn’t stick around to see if he would follow me.

I tried to calm myself down, the adrenaline pumping through me at hyperspeed. He always knew exactly what to say to get under my skin. Not that it really was that hard. All he had to do was mention my mother, or that night. 

I push those thoughts from my head and try to improve my mood. I didn’t feel like going bowling anymore and was afraid if Kelsey tried to fight with me I might end up actually fighting her. I can’t get into any trouble that would make me have to stay in this town any longer than I already had to. 

I arrived at the bowling alley quicker than I expected and took a few calming breaths outside, practicing my fake smile. Finally I push the doors open. I was about twenty minutes early but everyone was already there. I pick out Ryan from the crowd and wave at him. His face lights up as he makes his way over to me. 

“Hey, you.” He says and actually hugs me. I stand stiffly, confused by the unexpected gesture.

“Hey.” I hide my burning cheeks behind my hair again, keeping my eyes toward the ground. 

“You look…” His eyes trail up and down my body. “Incredible.”

I roll my eyes. “That work on all the girls?”

He chuckled and started leading me to the counter to get shoes. “Well, you are blushing so I’d say yeah. Yeah it does.”

“I am not! I walked here so I’m a little… hot.” I stammered over the words and he laughed even louder. I groan, wiping a hand over my face.

I tell the kid working the counter my shoe size and quickly take off my sneakers and slide the hideous bowling shoes on. “We’re doing two teams.” Ryan explained. “Me, you, Benny and Trish against Kelsey, Tyler, Mark, and Brook.” I gulped as we walked to the crowd. I hoped I was still as good as I remembered. It’s been a while since I came here. My mom and dad used to bring me all the time when I was younger.

“What up, girl!” Ben said, wrapping me in a side hug and turning to the rest of the group. “We’re so going to win this thing!” 

Kelsey rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to Tyler. Good. Maybe she found a new play thing and would leave me alone. “Let’s play! Ty, you're up first.” Ryan grabbed my hand and lightly pulled me to the booth to watch. “I’m glad you could make it.” Ryan says, tapping my leg with his.

“Yeah, me too.” Surprisingly it was true. I think I can manage to have some fun, right?

Tyler rolled his turn, getting a spare for his team, then it was Ryan's turn. I watched him skillfully roll the ball, noticing how his back muscles flexed as he heaved the ball forward. I truly didn’t mind that his shirts were too small on him. It gave me a much more delicious view. Ryan missed one pin in the first round, but got it with the second bowl. 

“Nice,” I said as he sat down again. He draped his arm on the back of the booth, just barely grazing my shoulder.

“That was just practice.” He flashes a crooked grin at me. God, he was so cocky. 

Kelsey was up next and it looked like she struggled to hold the ball. After hesitating at the edge of the lane she looked behind her. “Ty!” She whined and pouted her lip. “Come help me!”

Tyler immediately jumped up out of his seat. He wrapped his arms behind Kelsey showing her where to place her fingers then helped her push it down the lane. The ball rolled at a turtle’s pace, finally colliding with the pins an eternity later. She cheered even though she only knocked over four pins. I rolled my eyes. Did guys actually like the whole damsel in distress thing? 

She rolled again with the help of Tyler and it rolled in the gutter. She laughed and slapped his arm playfully. “You’re up. Want me to help you?” Ryan asked. 

I tapped his leg with my hand. “I think I’ve got this.” A couple of the guys snickered. I picked a ball with a moderate weight. It’d been years since I’ve done this and the last thing I wanted to do was make a fool out of myself. I took a deep breath, holding my ball at the chin and calculating where I wanted it to go. I took two steps, my right foot sliding behind me as I gave the ball a bit of a twist and let it go. It headed for the gutter, just as I suspected but veered back to the center, hitting dead on with the head pin, making them all topple over. 

I turned around as the guys cheered. “Impressive.” Ryan said as I came to sit next to him again.

“I can help you in the next round if you want.” I joked, leaning in closer.

“Sure. As long as it means putting your arms around me.” His voice was too quiet for anyone else to hear and sent a wave of heat through my body. 

I tried to laugh but it came out more like a cough. “You wish.” I teased.

He shrugged and smiled down at me. “Maybe I do.”

I tried to ignore his comment as we watched everyone else play. The girls played pitifully, asking the guys for help. Surely they were better at bowling than this if they came here as often as Ryan insinuated. 

Finally it was Kelsey’s turn again and she turned around looking at the group. Tyler had gone to the bathroom which put her attention back on Ryan. “Ryan? Want to help me with this one?” She gave a flirtatious grin and twirled a piece of her hair.

I felt a pang of jealousy when Ryan stood and headed in her direction. He did that same thing Tyler did, guiding her arms. This time she had more speed and it collided head on, sending all the pins falling. She jumped up and down and wrapped her skinny arms around Ryan’s neck. 

I stood, picking my ball from the collection we had. Kelsey saunters toward me. “That’s how it’s done.” She smiled.  

Hmm… We will see about that. I rolled the ball, earning another strike. “Damn baby girl! You got some skill!” Ben said, fist bumping me before running off to join MArk and Ryan at the front counter to get drinks. I knew I couldn’t expect Kelsey to be civil for long.

“I know you don’t have a lot of practice with guys, so this lesson is free.” She leans forward, asif what she's about to say is top secret information. “Guy’s want to feel needed. They don’t want an independent goth freak to intimidate them. You should probably just go home so you don't embarrass yourself any further.” She crossed her arms with a smirk on her face as the other girls chuckled. I wasn’t going to let her get under my skin. She’s going to have to learn that I won’t be so easily pushed.

“What was that about?” Ryan asked as he handed me my drink and took his spot next to me.

“Nothing.” I say simply, trying my best not to start anything.

“Is she not playing nice? I can talk to her.” Ryan presses.

“Really, it’s fine.” I said maybe a bit too loudly on purpose so she might hear. “She was only trying to tell me that I should act like I don’t know what I’m doing so that I don’t intimidate you.” I shrugged like it didn’t matter, but she was slowly wedging her way under my skin.

“I happen to like it when a girl is independent.” Ryan said, meeting Kelsey’s stunned eyes. I smile, surprised that Ryan would take my side.

“Yeah. It’s sexy when a girl can take care of herself.” Ben agrees. 

I lean forward to get a better look at Kelsey. “Maybe you were misinformed?” I say sweetly.

She opens her mouth to say something but Ryan cuts her off. “Kelsey, I asked you to be nice.” His tone has a sort of finality to it that makes her slam her mouth shut. I smile triumphantly, having won this battle.

The rest of the game continues without incident. Our team won by a landslide, but nobody really seemed mad. Mark and Trish leave first hand in hand, followed by Kelsey, Brook and Tyler. Although Kelsey clung to Tylers arm, I noticed the way she kept sneaking glances at Ryan. She was definitely not over him and the war was far from over. Ryan seemed to be stalling, waiting for everyone to leave. 

Benny wrapped me in a hug which still felt odd. “You need to come out with us more often!” He said then winked at Ryan. “I told you she was cool.” Then he jogged to the door.

Once gone, Ryan finally spoke. “Do you want to stay and hang out for a minute?” 

My heart started to race now that it was just the two of us. The building was pretty much empty now, apart from a family on the opposite end. “Uh, yeah. Sure.” I hesitantly sat back down next to him. 

“I’m sorry about Kelsey. We used to have a thing and she’s still pretty upset that I broke it off.” 

“No need to apologize for her. She’s never liked me.” I shrugged and avoided his eyes before asking the question that was gnawing on me. “Why did you invite me out tonight? I don't exactly fit into your friend group.” I laughed awkwardly. 

“Benny suggested it. I’m not going to lie, I never really noticed you before, but after he pointed you out last week, I was, um… curious about you.” I looked back up to him and noticed he was very close now and couldn’t help but watch as he licked his lips. His eyes bore into mine and I appreciated his honesty. 

“Has your curiosity been satisfied?” I said softly.

He let out a small laugh and his breath caressed my face as he leaned in a little closer. “Not in the slightest.” Slowly he brought his lips to mine. His hand gripped my face, running his thumb over my cheek. I moved my mouth with his, loving the feeling of his lips on mine. I scooted closer to him, moving my hand to his neck to pull him closer. His tongue grazed my lips, teasing me. The kiss wasn’t at all what I had expected. There were no fireworks, but it was still most definitely enjoyable.

Someone cleared their throat nearby, causing me to jump away from Ryan. Kelsey stood at the table, picking up her bag. “I left my purse.” She said, hurt evident on her face and a part of me, a very small part, felt bad for her. She walked quickly back out of the door.

“I should probably get going.” I say, standing quickly. 

“Can I drive you home?” 

“I, uh…” I couldn’t think of an excuse for him not to. It was dark outside now and if I were being honest, I didn’t want to walk all the way back home. 

“Just let me take you home.” He grabbed my hand gently with his, giving it a squeeze, and led me out of the door. He pulled me to his dark grey Chevy and opened the door for me. I give him directions to my house and once on the main road, Ryan places his hand on top of my thigh. Hesitantly, I place mine on top of his and smile. I wasn't used to this kind of affection but I adored every second of it.

"This one?" Ryan asks, rolling to a stop in front of my house as I nod. I was thankful the porch light was off, hopefully indicating my Dad had already gone to bed.

"Thank you for the ride." I say, lingering in the truck. 

"Of course." He flashed his flirtatious smile and leaned in closer, making my heart rate skyrocket. His fingers gently grabbed my chin, pulling me closer until our lips touched. He kissed me slowly, as if savoring every moment, before slowly backing away. "I'll see you tomorrow."

I smiled and nodded as I couldn't form words. I gave a small wave after I hopped out of the truck and watched him drive away. The smile never left my lips, even as I saw the horrendous state of the house. Nothing, absolutely nothing could sour my good mood.