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“Yes, we can,” Liv insists, still smiling. “A blind date is a blind date.”
I raise an eyebrow at Keaton. “Are you okay with being my partner tonight?”
“I guess I’ll survive it.” His lips tip up in that half smile I can’t get enough of. “Come on, let’s go kick their asses, Sid.”
“You’re not kicking my ass,” Stella insists, shaking her head. “Not that we’re here to be competitive.”
“Competition is the Montgomery religion,” Josie reminds us as Brax wraps his arm around her shoulder.
I like Brax a lot. He’s a musician here in Seattle and has recently seen some success with his band. It’s been fun to watch.
“I do believe that the Sterlings subscribe to the same religion,” I say and nudge my brother with my elbow. “We can’t let them beat us.”
“There’s more of them,” Gray reminds me, but he smiles in that evil way he’s done since he was a kid. “But we’ve got this.”
“Nothing wrong with a little healthy competition,” Ike says happily, holding Sophie’s hand.
It’s fun to see all of them coupled up, holding hands, and snuggling each other. They’re obviously all in love, and there’s no tension here at all. No one’s fighting or jealous or pissy. They’re all fun to hang out with.
I’m so glad I was invited to come tonight.
I glance over at Keaton, and a thought occurs to me. While Gray and Vaughn get us checked in, and the others are chatting away, I pull Keaton aside.
“So, you knew you were being set up on a date tonight?”
He shifts on his feet and sighs. “Yeah, I did.”
“And you decided to come out on a blind date, even though you’ve been seeing me.”
His eyes narrow on me. “Looks like you did the same thing.”
I laugh now and bump his hip with mine. “I’m just yanking your chain. I’m not mad. Wait, are you mad?”
“No.” He shakes his head and leans down to whisper in my ear. “I’m not mad. But this little outfit of yours turns me the hell on.”
“How handy.” I wink up at him, and then we’re ushered to our bays, side by side. The attendant, clearly starstruck by Vaughn, helps us get our names set up in the computers, just like at a bowling alley.
“Wait, are you Sidney Sterling?” she asks, her eyes going even wider than they were before.
“Guilty,” I reply with a smile as I quickly glance at her name tag. “Nice to meet you, Lacey.”
“Holy shit, this is the best night at work ever. I’m not supposed to ask, but can I get a photo?”
“Why don’t we do a group photo?” Stella asks. “Because you’ve got Brax Adler and Ike Harrison here, too.”
“What?” Lacey just stares around at all of us, shocked. “How is this even possible? Yes, let’s do a group photo! Let me get a coworker.”
We spend the next fifteen minutes taking photos with Lacey, a group one and then a couple of individuals before she leaves us to play the game.
“She’s sweet,” Liv says with a smile but then glances at her brother. “You okay, Keat?”
For the first time, I notice that Keaton’s face is hard, his hands fisted. He doesn’t look happy at all.
“I’m fine. I just hate that shit.”
“I know,” Maddie says and pats his back. “But you did great. Besides, it was just one girl, and we made her whole month.”
“I need a beer.” Keaton glances at me. “You want a drink?”
“I’d love a margarita.”
He nods sharply, and then he’s gone, Gray on his heels.
“What was that about?” I ask Stella.
“Oh, Keaton hates the celebrity thing. He works really hard to stay out of any kind of spotlight and has since he was young. He’s a lot like his dad in that way.”
“What? Luke Williams is a big-time actor, producer, and director—you name it. He’s as entrenched in Hollywood as it gets.”
“But he doesn’t live that lifestyle,” Vaughn interrupts. “He hasn’t acted in decades. He loves film, but he hates that world. He’s kept his family in Seattle, not LA. And I get it.”
“Keaton’s just like Dad,” Liv adds. “But even more so.”
“Interesting,” I mutter as the two men return, a waitress following them with a big tray loaded with drinks.
Once we all have a beverage and have ordered our food, we start playing the game. I just happen to be up first, so I grab the club and walk up to the little space with the ball.
I glance back at Keaton and wiggle my butt just a little before taking a swing at the ball.
I don’t do well, but Stella was right. It is fun.
“Was that little wiggle for my benefit?” Keaton asks.
“All the other men are taken, so yeah, it was for you.”
Liv snorts at that. “I’m so glad you two get along. I knew you would.”
“Oh, we get along famously.” I take a big sip of my drink and smile smugly over at Keaton. “He’s rather fond of me.”
