Page 22 of Calm Before the Score

“As a matter of fact, girls, I’m in the mood for some lighthearted bowling, too. Think I’ll swing by the alley for a few rounds.” Swinging around to look, I roll my eyes. I can’t believe what I’m hearing.

“Oh no, no, no you don’t. You are notchaperoningViolet’s date.” Liza places the curling wand on the bathroom counter to continue her argument.

“I’m simply going bowling at a public place. No chaperoning involved,” he answers with a cocky grin.

“Don’t bother, Liza. I’m used to it. When his mind is made up, there’s no changing it.” I can’t wait to break this stellar news to Ryan.

“You’re so annoying. Well, if you’re going, I’m coming too,” Liza says. “Look at us. You’re going to chaperone Violet, and I’m going to chaperone you.” Liza gives Hartley a run for his money.

I belly laugh at the predicament I’ve fallen into. This should be an interesting night, for sure. Liza finishes curling my hair and throws on an outfit from my closet. She said she’s going for the same vibe as me so that I won’t feel out of place. Part of me wonders if she’s hoping to get Hartley’s attention. She hasn’t said anything yet, but I get the feeling she might have a crush on him. If there’s any chance he feels the same, maybe her outfit will be enough to distract him so I can enjoy this date.

We sit on my bed and scroll our phones until there’s a light knocking on the door. Hartley beats me to the door.

“What’s up, bro? Ready to head out to the alley?” Hartley can be such a tool. I push him aside and welcome Ryan in.

“Uhhhh, what’s going on?” he asks.

“Liza came over to help me get ready, and Hartley invited himself to tag along. He was being so smug about it that Liza joined in, too,” I say with my hands cupping my face. Heat creeps up my neck at how embarrassing this is.

“It’s okay, Vi. It’ll be fun. You look…” Before he finishes, Liza cuts in, “Incredible, beautiful, drop-dead gorgeous?” She hooks her arms through Hartley’s, and he shoots her an annoyed look.

“I was going to say perfect,” Ryan answers.

I’m officially a puddle.

“Let’s get thisperfectshow on the road,” Hartley says, grabbing our shared key ring off the side table. Before Hartley can protest, I hop in Ryan’s car, and Liza takes the shotgun seat in Hartley’s. She winks at me before they pull off.

Ryan and I are finally alone, and I shoot him a sympathetic glance. “I’m so sorry about this.”

“It’s fine. I know Hartley can get a little crazy. I’ll settle him down.” I can feel my hand drifting closer to his. He looks down from the road and laces his fingers with mine. I don’t question it because it feels too nice having my hand in his.

Ryan

Someone take me to the hospital. My heart jumps straight through my chest when I see Violet’s outfit. I’m so distracted by her that I don’t mind Hartley’s passive-aggressive attitude. Her crop top shows a sliver of skin just above her painted-on jeans. That one piece of exposed skin is going to haunt me all night. Her body is perfect, her curves in all the right places.

I can’t think too much about what this is, or I’ll get in my own head. I don’t want to think about why I don’t want to drop her hand or why I’m so nervous about making this a good night. We pull up to the old bowling alley in town, Hartley and Liza not far behind. I don’t make a big deal out of Hartley inviting himself. Violet wears it all over her face that she takes the blame for it, and I want her to feel as comfortable as possible. The four of us stop at the shoe counter.

“Yeah, that’s gonna be a no for me. Meet you at the lane, Vi.” Liza tosses the words over her shoulder.

“See ya in a few,” Hartley says, trailing shortly behind Liza.

Violet’s beautiful eyes meet mine as she tries her best to hold in a giggle. “I guess we’re the only weirdos who actually like the shoes.”

“They wouldn’t know a good thing if it hit them in the face.” I wipe my sweaty palm on my jeans before taking the opportunity to grab Violet’s hand again. Every move I make seems monumental, and I can’t shake the nerves. She accepts and gives my hand a small squeeze. I give the employee our shoe sizes and ask for four players on alley eight.

“I’ve got mine,” Violet says, reaching in her purse for her wallet.

“No. I’m paying.”

“But, you don’t have to. Friends pay for themselves.” She tilts her head with pursed lips and a questioning look. Her arms fold over her chest.

“Friends or not. I’m not taking you out and letting you pay for yourself. That’s not how I was raised.” This is a battle she won’t win.

“Fine, but I’m paying next time. Umm. If there’s a next time. I didn’t mean to assume...”

“There will be a next time.” I place my hand on the small of her back and rub up and down to relax her. She isn’t the only one whose nerves are through the roof. She gives me a soft smile.

We head to alley eight with our shoes on, ready to play. We walk up on Hartley and Liza, arguing about who should go first. Violet and I ignore them and begin our game. She’s a better bowler than I thought, and I’m not taking it easy on her.God,just watching her on the lane distracts me from the deafening music and kids screaming to their parents in the lanes beside us. She bites her lip before grabbing the bowling ball and shoots me the prettiest smile before she pivots to face the pins. Each time she bends over to throw the ball down the lane, I get the perfect view of her bottom, and I’m gone. I don’t even let Hartley’s death glares and comments intimidate me.

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