Page 24 of Stuck with my Mechanic Daddies

Ethan met my gaze. “Absolutely.”

I smirked. “Wanna bet on it?”

The firefighters and cops let out an “ooooh” in unison.

“Here we go.” Mason grinned.

Jaxon tapped his chin. “Loser buys the next round?”

Ryan added, “And wears the pink bowling shirt?”

We all turned to the pro shop’s display—a bright pink monstrosity with “Gutter King” embroidered across the front.

Ethan groaned. “You guys are relentless.”

I grinned. “Still sure you can take me?”

He eyed the shirt. Looked back at me. Then grabbed his ball. “Bring it on.”

The night was just getting started.

Ethan lost.

Badly.

The pink “Gutter King” shirt fit him perfectly, though.

Mason took about fifty pictures, sending them to our group chat. Lila doubled over laughing. The cops heckled him mercilessly, and the firefighters made a toast in his honor. Ryan even wiped a fake tear.

Ethan just downed his beer and grumbled, “Enjoy this while it lasts.”

“Oh, I will,” I said, smirking.

The game carried on, the usual back and forth between our teams filling the alley. Mason got his rhythm back, landing himself a turkey. Colt, despite his trash talk, barely avoided a gutter ball.

Jaxon bowled with the ease of someone who didn’t take it too seriously, while Ryan stayed laser-focused. The cops kept the competition fierce, but the real entertainment came from the sideline commentary.

“Hey, Owen,” Kai called, lifting his beer. “You ever consider running a restaurant with us?”

I snorted. “You think I wanna work for you?”

Adam grinned. “I mean, it’d be more of a partnership, but sure, we could boss you around.”

Samuel leaned back in his chair, watching a strike land two lanes over. “He's good with numbers. Could handle the business side.”

I rolled my shoulders. “You trying to steal me from the shop?”

Kai shrugged. “Just putting it out there. Big plans, my friend.”

I shook my head with a smirk, turning back to my drink.

And that was when I saw her.

Through the window, walking down the sidewalk, wrapped in that deep green coat that made her look like something out of an old Hollywood movie.

Aurora Bennett.

My pulse stuttered before kicking up, sharp and insistent.

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