Page 64 of Love & Streetball

Kane’s jaw tightened. Not in an angry way, but as if he was trying to control what he would say next.

“I bet you’re a pro at it,” I continued when he didn’t say anything.

His jaw relaxed and changed into a sly grin. Kane shrugged. “Somewhat. I’m good at everything I do, and you know that.”

“Cocky ass,” I laughed, mushing his head. Kane caught my hand after, and pulled me to him.

I hate how I got mushy with him. It felt like an out of body experience, still, even though me and Kane have been together for a while now. I was still getting used to being in a relationship. Liking a boy period. It was still weird to me.

We kissed…a long, slow kiss. A kiss that made me warm all over and caused my core to throb uncontrollably. Tonight…was the night. I wanted to give Kane all of me. That’s what my body was saying…my heart too.

Kane pulled back, licking his lips. There was something there in his eyes. Something that told me that tonight was going to change our relationship.

Inside the bowling alley, music blasted from the speakers while colored lights moved over the lanes. The smell of pizza, hot wings, and fried food filled the building. Bowling balls crashed into pins, people yelled over missed shots, and kids ran around like their parents hadn’t taught them how to act in public.

Kane walked to the counter and paid for our lane before we picked up our shoes. The red and blue shoes were ugly and worn out, but coming up how I did, it really didn’t bother me. I had worn shoes all the time.

He showed me how to enter our names on the screen. Kane walked over to the rack and picked up a few bowling balls, testing their weight. I picked up one. The weight caught me off guard, and the ball almost slipped.

Kane laughed loudly.

“It slipped,” I lied.

“It slipped because it’s too heavy.”

“It’s fine.”

“Put it down before you break your foot on your birthday.”

I ignored him and carried it toward the lane with both hands. I stood at the line.

“Don’t throw it,” Kane called from behind me. “Roll it.”

I nodded, listening to his words.

“You holding it like you about to chest-pass it.”

I glanced over my shoulder. We laughed in unison.

Facing the pins again, I took three steps and released the ball.

It rolled straight for about two seconds before curving toward the gutter.

“Come on,” I whispered, leaning my body to the left as if I could guide it.

The ball dropped into the gutter without touching a single pin. Kane didn’t laugh. He played his turn, knocking them all down. When it was my turn again, I chose a lighter ball.

Kane stepped behind me and placed one hand on my waist. With the other, he adjusted how I was holding the ball. My entire body went stiff.

“Relax,” he murmured near my ear.

“I am relaxed.”

“You holding your breath.”

Because you’re pressed against me.

I kept that thought to myself.