Promise Me This (Between Breaths 4)

“Watch me,” I said, grabbing the lightweight pink ball from her hands. “Aim, pump your arm back, and then let it sail in an arc—like this.”

When I released the ball, it cruised down the lane headed toward the center. I knocked down a strike and she whooped for me. As we waited for the machine to return her ball, I said softly, so no one could hear, “I’m going to follow you home to make sure you get there safely and then I’m going to do the same in the morning to the garage so you can get a new tire.”

I saw her fingers tighten into fists when I mentioned the idea of spending money on a new tire. “I know it sucks, but it’s got to be done.”

She nodded and then grabbed her ball as it rolled onto the machine. A determined look on her face, she turned toward the pins, but then looked back at me as if trying to remember what I’d just taught her. “Let it go before my arm swings back?”

The bowling alley was dark, the neon spheres emitting the only soft lights, which were reflected into a million more pieces by the huge disco ball spinning from the ceiling.

I stepped up behind Jessie, which was probably not a great idea in hindsight, but I felt compelled to be nearer. She startled from my closeness and then sucked in a hard breath and I couldn’t help feeling relieved that she was still affected by me as well.

My hand slid down her arm to her fingers and they stilled. I considered grasping her stomach and pulling her against me, but instead I helped her arm make the back and forth motion.

“Got it?” I said against her hair and then stepped away. I was too nervous to look behind me to see if anyone had noticed our closeness. Besides, my pants were getting tight from the contact alone.

She looked momentarily unsteady on her feet but then her ball went sailing in an arc and miraculously did not result in a gutter ball. It went down the center of the lane and knocked over a few pins.

She was so proud of herself that she released this cute squeal I’d never heard before and then turned and threw her arms around me. I wasn’t not expecting that, but her excitement was contagious, so I lifted her easily and swung her around.

When I set her down we high-fived and turned toward our friends. Nobody was paying us any attention except for Bennett, Avery, and Emmy.

Bennett arched his eyebrow in a questioning look and then the moment passed and he took a long pull of his beer.

We bowled another game and then headed toward the bar to play some pool. Dex and Cory were already acting stupid and making bets on their game.

Emmy left early along with Kai and Rachel, which didn’t surprise me.

After a few games of pool, I paid my tab and then followed behind everyone else as they spilled into the parking lot to their cars. I tried to stay away from Jessie after our display in the bowling lane but I still planned on following her home. She and Dex were now arguing by her truck and everyone had stopped a few feet away to listen.

As I approached, I saw that her tire was now completely flat. Fucking hell. Again, I cursed myself for not insisted she get it replaced.

“I’m driving you home,” Dex was saying, or should I say slurring, as he swayed toward her, his body leaning, closing in on her.

Jessie’s fists were balled. “You can barely drive yourself home.”

I couldn’t stop myself, all I saw was I red. I stepped up and grabbed Dex, practically throwing him to the ground. “Get the fuck off of her. You stupid drunk-ass fool.”

“What the fuck?” Dex shouted, straightening himself and then taking a lame swing in my direction. Cory came up and grabbed him from behind.

I had a clear shot but I didn’t take it. “Leave her the hell alone already. Can’t you get it through your thick skull that she isn’t into you?”

“Nate,” Bennett said, stepping up. “He’s drunk.”

“He’s always drunk,” I said and took a step away, trying to get ahold of my anger. “Fuck. You guys make excuses for him but that shit doesn’t look pretty. Not when he’s always harassing her, just because she agreed to go out with him a couple times last year.”

God, what the hell was I saying?

The group was silent, almost shell-shocked, until Cory turned to Dex and said, “Dude, he’s right. I’m going to drive your butt home.”

Bennett nodded. “Sorry, Jessie. We’ll give you a lift.”

Jessie was staring at the ground, probably embarrassed by my display.

“I’ll be the one driving her home,” I said in a calmer voice, taking in breath after deep breath.

Her head snapped up to glare at me.

“I already told her inside that I was going to follow her home when I saw her tire was low, again . . .” I gave her a pointed look.

“Again?” Quinn said, stepping up. “Jessie, you need a new tire. This’ll keep happening.”

“Okay, don’t get your panties in a bunch,” Jessie said, gritting her teeth. “It’s only a goddamn tire. And fine, I accept your offer, Square.”

She didn’t meet my gaze but I couldn’t help my lip from lifting into a smirk and my stomach tightening in victory. Like some goddamn gorilla. I’d pound my chest next. Damn, I don’t even know what the hell had come over me.

“It’s settled then,” Bennett said, walking backward and pulling Avery along with him. “Nate, let me know if you want help with her car in the morning.”

Just like that. Like he knew I would follow through. He’d been giving me strange looks all night. Probably because I hadn’t paid attention to a girl this much before. Even if she was just a friend.