“Wicked, I-”
Whatever Ryan was about to say is interrupted as Nic steps closer to Nana, placing himself in the middle of our little congregation. “Sounds like it’s time for you to go back to work, Ryan. Shall we?”
He directs the last part to Nana and she giggles, a rustle of movement clueing me into the fact that he probably just offered her his arm like Ezra does to me. Taking it, they immediately start walking towards the counter for check in and to get shoes, leaving the rest of us standing frozen in their wake.
“What the fuck was that? Was Nic mind-swapped?” I direct the question to Kai and he laughs.
“I think Nic finally just met someone he respects more than himself.”
“Wicked, can we-” Ryan interrupts before we can start walking away to follow Nana and Nic, stepping directly in front of me so closely that I almost slam right into him. Ezra immediately jerks me behind him and cuts between us.
“Hey, kid, wanna lose a dick? Because that’s how you lose a dick.” Kai sings the words, his tone jovial in nature, but his aura flashes in warning and promise.
I place a gentle hand on Ezra’s back and he hesitates for only a moment before stepping to the side, poised and on edge ready for when he’s needed again. I take a deep breath, pasting a forced smile on my face as I focus on Ryan once more.
“Sorry, Ryan. I’m just here to spend time with Nana while we can. If you’ll just…” I try to step past him, but he follows the movement. Amidst the uncertainty at Ryan’s alien behavior, anger starts pumping through my system, leaving every muscle tense and almost shaking.
What the fuck has gotten into him?
“Right. Okay. This is how it’s going to go, huh? You wanted my attention, now you have it, congratulations.” I focus directly on Ryan, noting his chaotic aura flashing with jealousy, hurt, and hate, but not so much so that I can’t see a little deeper.
His thoughts flash through my own mind one at a time, like a reel of his inner moments played for me. Thank God Ryan is more surface level, or this would be a lot harder. Planting my hands on my hips, I get started.
“Okay, asshole. Nope, I never gave you any indication there. Yes, I can hear your thoughts. Nope, that was not me flirting, I was being nice. Nope. I’ve always considered you somewhat of a friend. Yeah, again, I was being friendly. What was that? Do you really want me to sic the guys on you? Control yourself.”
His aura starts to warp, his thoughts no longer surface level or easily attained, almost as if he’s being swallowed by the embarrassment and fury at me calling his every thought out. I truly never knew that Ryan had this sort of…darkness in him. It’s extremely off putting.
“Did we get it all out? Are we done here?” I cross my arms over my chest, stepping back slightly into Ezra’s side.
“Yeah, we’re done here.” Ryan practically spits the words at me, not an ounce of softness left in him as he stomps away.
“Cheese and rice! What is it about me that attracts assholes?!” I pull at my hair and stomp my foot.
“I think that’s a question better suited for Nic, baby. It’s only us two non-assholes here right now.” Kai chuckles as he slams a sloppy kiss on my cheek, instantly soothing the frustration blazing in my chest.
“I’ll get right on that.”
We make our way to the counter and get our loaner shoes before heading to our lane, Nic and Nana both already there waiting on us.
“Did he give you any more trouble?” Nic questions as we get closer, Ezra leading me to a seat behind the score table.
“He did, but damn! Wicked has some claws! I’d be surprised if he isn’t bleeding out in the bathroom from her words alone.” Kai inputs, oh so dramatically, earning a smile from me. “Now, does anyone want to explain how a blind woman can bowl, because I’ve been trying to figure it out, but…”
“Stand aside, boys. Let a real woman show you how it’s done! But first…” I stand, spinning towards my silent giant. “Brick, could you be a sweetie and pick me out a ball? Size eight, please?”
He’s gone and back in less than the minute it takes me to put my bowling shoes on, placing the ball in my hand and stepping back. I whistle out a long, low tune and Gizmo and Snitch immediately jump into action. Following their vibrations, I make my way up the step to the lane and stand still, stretching out my neck and positioning the ball in my hand.
Gizmo takes the left side of the lane and Snitch takes the right, both squeaking excitedly and letting out little barks. I tune in harder to them, a pulse of the lane boundaries entering my mind like echolocation and I adjust my stance and direction.
“Ready, boys?” I grin, a light airy feeling floating through my stomach. Yeah, I definitely needed this.
“Show us what you got, baby!” Kai shouts happily before lowering his voice slightly to speak to someone else. “Twenty says she gutters it.”
“I’ll take that bet and raise you. Forty says she strikes.” Ezra says confidently, his unwavering faith in me making my chest swell.
“Deal.” Kai answers quickly, excitement thrumming through his veins, and I roll my eyes.
But it’s Nic’s answer that shocks the living daylights out of me. “I’m with Ezra. Forty on a strike.”