Page 12 of Just a Wrong Turn

Sean walked over to her with a big goofy grin on his face. “Babe, you okay? You look like you might upchuck.”

“Why’d you do that?”

“I told you. He ran into me. He needs to learn that reading and walking at the same time is dangerous. Just looking out for him. Besides, why do you care? You’ve got me to worry about.” Then he pulled her close. First he kissed her neck, and then her cheek, and then finally, he went for her lips. Her mind was whirling while her body tingled from Sean’s kisses.Maybe Sean just overreacted. He made a mistake. I’ll talk to him about it later… after prom.

The truck door opened—snapping Liza back to the present moment. Books hoisted a chocolate lab up onto the seat. The dog sauntered over to her and gave her one slobbery lick on the cheek.

“Awe, hey buddy,” she laughed.

Books tucked a blanket near the dog and he curled right up, laying his head on Liza’s knee.

She looked over at Books and mouthed, “Oh my gosh!” Her heart felt like it was beating in sync with his thumping tail.

Books started the truck, and they drove in silence while Liza stroked the dog’s smooth head.

“His name is Hunter,” Books finally said.

“Hi Hunter. You’re a sweetheart.” Liza kissed the dog's head. She could tell by the smell he hadn’t had a bath in a while.

“I have some time tomorrow afternoon.”

“Hm?” Liza looked up at Books, not sure what he was talking about.

“For bowling.” He glanced at her quickly and then put his eyes back on the road.

“Really?”

He shrugged.

“Well, I have to pick my kids up after school, but I know they’d love to bowl too.”

“Oh, I didn’t realize…”

Liza quickly clarified. “Oh no they’re notmykids. The kids I nanny, I meant. Is it okay if they come? You’ll love them.”

“Sure.” Books kept his eyes on the road. “More people to see me make a fool out of myself.”

Liza grinned. “It’ll be great! It’s a play date.” She shot him finger guns. In response, Miller rolled his eyes.

Chapter 8

Miller

Thenextday,Millersat in his truck outside the bowling alley waiting for Liza to arrive. He had read a few articles online to learn proper bowling technique. It seemed simple enough on the surface—pick up a ball and roll it in a straight line. But he had learned that extreme precision was needed. The bowler had to release the ball and rotate their wrist at the perfect time. He was especially intrigued by the bowling scoring system.

But, if he was honest, he did all the research because it kept his mind off the fact that he’d be hanging out with… well, people. And not just any people. Liza Eckland.

He had learned to avoid social situations at a young age. People were nuanced and complicated. He liked numbers and facts. Things that you could rely on to compute. People were fickle and always changing. He’d been disappointed too many times. In the end, people only cared about one thing: themselves.

Gripping the steering wheel, Miller thought back to the last time he interacted with Liza in high school—before he was humiliated by her boyfriend. He had just started to think there was more to her and that maybe he should give other people a chance too.

It was the week after midterms, and Miller knew Liza had been anxiously awaiting the results of her chemistry exam. As he was getting his coat and backpack from his locker, he saw her walking toward him. Her head was down. His chest tightened.

She kept her eyes on the floor as she said, “Hey, I just wanted to let you know… I didn’t get a C like I was hoping.”

Miller’s face dropped. “Liza, I’m sorry. I thought we had covered everything—”

Liza cut him off. “I did better! I got a B minus!”

---