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Heath forgets about the name change and instead meets my gaze with a knowing look.We have to fucking win.

“All the best losers,” Sebastian teases as he walks past me. He’s someone I don’t talk to much. I mostly interact with Heath and Marie, but in our little interactions, he always smiles at me and is nice to me. It’s enough for me to accept him as a friend.

When Sebastian swipes the floor with a smooth strike, I realize Heath and I will lose.

“You'll be fine. Just remember what I taught you," Heath says in a quiet, assuring tone.

I peek at him. “I’m sorry.”

His expression hardens. “Don’t fucking think about it, and instead have fun.”

Walking up to the lane, I pick up the blue ball that is light in weight and is easier for me to throw. Gazing down at the lane, I do as Heath taught me. I manage to hit seven pins.

I glance back at Heath who gives me a nod.

“Nice ass.” One of the boys from the group near our lane shouts at me. Others whistle and stare at me with big grins.

I freeze in my spot.

“What the fuck did you just say to her?” In a second, Heath strides to the guy, grabs him by his collar, and yanks him to him. “Stop looking at her, you asshole! You’re making her uncomfortable.”

The guy replies to Heath but I’m far away to hear what he says to him.

Sebastian rushes over to them and pulls back Heath who looks about ready to kill him. His fists are curled tightly, and his body is filled with tension. I can only see his back, but it’s all I need to see to know he’s ready to throw in the first punch.

“Hey, are you okay?” Marie stands next to me and holds my hand.

“I’m okay,” I lie, but my fingers shake in her hold, and she looks at me.

“Boys are stupid. Don’t mind him, okay. We all are here for you.” She squeezes my hand.

We both turn to the group that steps back, as Heath exchanges a few words with them, and then returns to us. Sebastian says something to him and grins.

“Sebastian shut up!” Heath scowls at him.

Sebastian looks at me. “Are you okay?”

I give him a nod.

“If you aren’t, you can tell me—”

“She can tell me,” Heath interjects.

Sebastian grins.

“Heath, it’s your turn. Hurry up,” Marie says impatiently.

“Good luck,” I mumble to Heath.

“I don't need luck.” With that, he gets in stance, rolls the ball, and straightens. It all happened fast, but in my head, it happened slowly. I watched his muscles move and shift under his T-shirt, reminding me of the perfect body that hides beneath it.

A shot of him half-naked enters my head.

Don’t think about his naked body.

His movements are flawless. I’m not surprised when he knocks down all the pins.

The game continues and our scores fluctuate.

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