Bat Boy (Easton U Pirates 1)

Between turns, Ricky and Kellan talked about the upcoming regionals and Ricky’s space camp, and Mom winked at me, knowing full well that I loved Kellan’s relationship with my brother. Coach was making his way around the space too and ended up talking to my parents for a while. When I heard him compliment my team leadership, I couldn’t deny it made me feel proud. Which only made this thing with Kellan more complicated. I loved being part of this team, and I knew he did too.

All of a sudden, the lights were turned down, fun music was being piped through the speakers, and Girard’s mother announced that it was Cosmic Bowling time, which apparently meant you were supposed to use the neon balls that glowed in the dark.

Dawn squealed in excitement as she reached for a shimmering pink ball, and Hollister was grinning at her like she’d hung the damned moon. Was that what it looked like to be in love? I rolled my eyes until I recalled my own behavior around Kellan lately. Was I that into Kellan, even though we weren’t in a relationship? Duh.

The mood had turned lively as we bowled and sang along to the music. Hollister and Lopez started a bowling competition, where they dared each other to roll the ball down the lane in increasingly ridiculous ways. On a regular night, it might’ve gotten them reprimanded, but they were just having fun. Otherwise, I would be obligated to say something as their team captain, which sometimes sucked. I couldn’t even take my own advice about fraternizing with the coach’s son.

After a few good laughs, my parents decided it was time to make their exit, so I walked my family to the door, then returned to my friends, who were still bowling with the neon balls.

Kellan was talking animatedly with Jasmine, and I couldn’t help looking my fill now that there was less scrutiny. Plus, the dimmed lights helped. He had on a pair of tight jeans, and I shifted in my seat, remembering how my hands had squeezed those smooth cheeks. Little did I know I’d feel so many new sensations just from touching someone I was wildly attracted to.

When he threw yet another gutter ball, I finally found the courage to walk over to him and offer some tips.

“I think I’m hopeless,” he said with a shy smile.

“Watch me.” I reached for a ball that had just returned on the automated machine, which was apparently called a pinspotter—thanks, Ricky.

“Fitting.” Kellan smirked, motioning to my glowing blue ball, his gaze darting over the front of my jeans.

“Tell me about it,” I replied in a strained voice, and his grin widened.

Okay, subject change, stat.

“So, you need to aim at the pins.” I raised the ball and eyed the center of the lane. “Then pull your arm back like a lever and let it go—like this.” When I released the ball, it headed toward the center pins, striking most of them down.

“Okay, I’ll try it.” He lifted his ball and walked toward the lane, a determined look on his face. He lined his ball like I showed him, then glanced back at me, hesitating. “Should I move even closer?”

When I stepped behind him, he inhaled sharply, seeming just as affected by our closeness. “No, I think you’re fine.”

I stepped back, refusing to look behind me to see if anyone had been watching us. Besides, it was totally innocent to help Kellan with his form in the middle of a bowling alley.

Kellan looked momentarily unsteady on his feet, but then his ball went sailing in an arc down the center of the lane, and the result was a few pins being knocked down.

“Yes!” He lifted his hands and jumped up and down, and I was so tempted to reach for him and plant a kiss on his lips. Damn, this really sucked.

Suddenly, Girard stood and walked over to Maclain, who’d just lifted his bowling ball. “Maybe Maclain needs some tips too,” Girard said in a playful tone, which meant he’d obviously been watching me with Kellan. “Let me show you.”

He stepped behind Maclain, reached for his arm, and helped him make the back-and-forth motion.

“What the hell are you doing?” Maclain asked, his entire body tensing up.

“For fuck’s sake. I’m helping you. It worked for Kellan.”

“I don’t need any help.” He yanked his arm away from Girard, then threw his elbow back just as the lights came on, nearly blinding us. Guess we missed the announcement that Cosmic Bowling was over.

The next thing I saw was Girard raising his hands to his face as blood spurted from his nose. It looked like a crime scene as red fluid dripped down the front of him to the floor, and his girlfriend shrieked as soon as she saw him.

“Holy shit,” Maclain said, his eyes wide with shock. “It was an accident. My elbow just—fuck!”