Page 54 of Love at Second Down

“So, are you into bowling?” I ask, trying to aim for something neutral. Safe. Something that’s unlikely to end in a backhanded insult, either on her account or mine.

“I’m indifferent,” she says, with all the enthusiasm of someone reading nutritional facts off a cereal box.

“Cool,” I say, barely containing the laugh that threatens to spill from my lips. I may be a little rusty in the dating department?okay, a lot rusty?but this is ridiculous.

Still, I’m not ready to give up. Maybe she’s just nervous. I think the girls mentioned she can be shy with guys. Maybe that’s what this is. Or maybe she’s tired. Coming down with a cold. Allergic to small talk. It happens. I mean, hell, I’m not exactly the poster boy for first-date energy, either. Look at me, still wrestling with the ghost of Avery clinging to every corner of my mind, so much so that I can’t go five minutes without mentioning or thinking about her.

Avery.

My thoughts drift to her angelic features as we pull into the parking lot of the bowling alley, and the knot in my stomach tightens, rising into my chest.

I hate that even her name?just thinking it?still holds so much power over me. That I can still hear her laugh in the back of my mind when certain songs come on, or that these last couple of weeks, I catch myself looking for her all over campus without realizing it.

Inhaling through my nose, I remind myself to focus.

This isn’t about her. This is about moving on. Moving forward with someone new. Even if that someone looks like she just rolled out of bed with the bedside manner of someone who worked three double shifts, just found out she’s out of coffee, and is actively trying to make me question my life choices.

I park and kill the engine, then turn to her, but she makes no move to unbuckle her seatbelt.

I clear my throat as my gaze settles over her. “You okay?”

“Peachy,” she says, finally meeting my eyes and flashing me a plastic smile. “Let’s do this thing.”

I nod, and we climb out of the car, making our way to the entrance in silence. Inside, the fluorescent lights buzz overhead, amid the thumping of music crackling through the speakers. Sweat, beer, and stale popcorn scent the air in a stomach-churning combination, making me wish for a drink, something to get me through the next couple hours.

Glancing down at my phone to my messages, I see one from Travis, letting me know he’s here with his date and waiting for us. “They’re supposed to be by the shoe rentals,” I say as I lift my head and scan the lobby, finding the counter easily. “Over there.” I motion toward it and take her hand, half expecting her to cringe or pull away.

When she doesn’t, I consider it a victory. Maybe there’s hope?

The thought fissures. My steps falter.

“No,” I murmur, stopping in my tracks.

Standing beside Travis is Avery, looking as beautiful as ever—effortless in her sophistication, wearing a sleek black sweaterdress and heeled boots, blonde curls spilling over her shoulders, and completely unaware of the chaos she still manages to stir inside my chest.

“Damon!” Trav calls, waving me forward, completely oblivious to the way the girl beside him just wrecked me with a single glance.

Avery turns at the sound of my name, and the moment our eyes lock, it’s like the air gets sucked out of the room. Her smile falters, just barely, but I catch it. Suddenly, this night feels a hell of a lot longer than I signed up for.

“Is there a problem?” Beside me, Liz stares at the side of my face, a crease of concern between her brow. It’s the first real show of emotion I’ve seen from her since I picked her up.

I swallow, heart thudding like a war drum in my chest while the sight of Avery short-circuits every rational thought I came here with.

I feel like I’m dreaming—or maybe I’m being pranked?because I know for a fact I told Chris and the guys that Avery wasnotto be on this date.

He promised.

He swore.

My left hand flexes, curling into a fist.

I’m going to fucking kill him.

Beside me, Liz clears her throat, and I realize I’m still standing there, staring like an asshole.

I turn toward her where her gaze flickers quickly between me and Avery with a knowing look.

“Did you know?” I ask, trying to keep my tone neutral.

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