Page 224 of We Shouldn't Be Together
Yes, this is the entertainment I needed tonight.
Kai’s probably sharing a booth with Jamie at her café right now. He can do that a lot more now that I’m banned from seeing him.
Ah, no! Stop it! I can’t think like this.
“Tabby?” Freddy asks with concern.
I realize I’m clawing the sides of my head, and quickly release. My fingers cramp from the intensity, and I shake it off on my way to collect my ball.
Unconvinced, Freddy grabs my upper arm. “What’s wrong?”
“Headache.”
“Are you feeling dizzy?”
I shake my head. “No, I’m good.”
I hurl the ball down the lane, and I hate to admit what goes through my mind. Just like it’s phys-ed all over again, each little pin has Jamie’s head on it. I’m not proud of it, but I knock down seven pins.
My brothers cheer my name, clapping and drumming on the plastic seats.
I laugh and gesture at them to cut it out. I’m both appreciative and utterly embarrassed by them.
On my next bowl, I don’t hit a pin. But I don’t care. I sail back to my seat between Drew and Freddy, and the chaos in my mind hits the pause button.
With the determination to show his brother who’s boss, Drew narrowly misses beating Freddy. Not that Freddy took the victory. He’s too busy making sure Corbin and I know we put in a great effort. Not at all condescending, bro.
I’m just glad I beat Corbin. I couldn’t handle that humiliation tonight.
“Do we wanna get burgers?” Drew asks, pulling his boots back on.
“I want a hot dog,” Corbin blurts.
Freddy grabs his rental shoes and bowling ball to return them, when he notices people on the split level above the bowling lanes. “Yo, it’s Simon and T-Bone.”
His friends are waving back at him as they gravitate toward one of the pool tables among the vintage arcade games.
Drew sits with me as Corbin follows behind Freddy like a newly trained puppy. I then notice a few girls, who have arrived with Simon and T-bone. Like clockwork, they’ve fixed their attention on Freddy, who’s seemingly oblivious to their fluttering eyelids and popped hips.
“Well, we won’t see Golden Boy for the rest of the night,” Drew mutters.
I slip my tennis shoes back on, relieved my feet still feel normal. “Hopefully, he’ll keep Corbin with him.”
“Cut the little man some slack.”
“No. He’s whiny and annoying.”
“I remember complaining about my little sister like that, and all my parents did was give me another sibling. Be careful what you say.”
“Oh, please. Mom and Dad would never have another kid.”
“Stranger things have happened.”
I bop my hand on top of his mess of bleached hair. “Yeah, like you hanging out with us tonight.”
“And not being appreciated,” he says in a kidding tone.
I keep smoothing my hand over his hair, surprised it’s soft. “Ever think of cutting your hair? It’s so long now.”
