Page 47 of Three Pucking Wedding Dates

“Oakley, you’re up!” Reid calls out, snapping me back to the present. I quickly tie my shoes and pick up a bowling ball.

I approach the lane.

“Come on, Oakley! You can do it!” Iris shouts encouragingly from behind me, her enthusiasm contagious.

I focus on the pins, trying to remember the technique I used to know so well. With a determined exhale, I release the ball, watching as it hurtles down the lane. To my surprise, it strikes the pins with precision, leaving only one standing. A wave of elation washes over me, and I can’t help but let out a triumphant whoop.

“Nice job, Oakley!” Gray calls out, joining in my celebration. “You still got it!”

“Thanks!” I reply, grinning widely. “Beginner’s luck, maybe?”

“Or maybe you’re just a natural,” Reid suggests, winking at me playfully.

I grab another ball and once the pins are reset, I aim the ball for the last pin, watching it go down the lane before it knocks it down. “That’s a spare!” I scream.

Everyone starts to cheer for me. Basking in the sound of laughter and playful banter, I can’t remember the last time I felt this carefree.

“Hey, Oakley,” Iris says, nudging me playfully, “remember that time we went roller skating and you ended up with one foot in a trash can?”

My cheeks flush at the memory. “Oh my god, yes! I thought I was going to break my ankle!”

“Your face was priceless,” Gray chuckles, his eyes warm and teasing. “But hey, you recovered like a pro.”

“More like a lucky klutz,” I counter, rolling my eyes. The reminiscing continues, each of us sharing silly anecdotes from our past, laughter ringing out across the lanes.

As my turn comes up again, I grab my ball and approach the lane, focusing on the pins. My fingers grip the smooth surface, and I take a deep breath before setting the ball into motion. However, as I release it, something catches my eye—Theo and Avery are standing by the food counter, talking animatedly.

Avery reaches out and places her hand on Theo’s arm, leaning in closer to him, and a sharp pang of jealousy cuts through me. I shake my head, reminding myself that I have no claim over Theo. Besides, I already have Gray and Reid, who both mean so much to me.

I force my attention back to the game, where my ball has knocked down seven pins. Not bad, considering I was distracted.

“Nice throw, Oakley!” Iris cheers, pulling me back into the moment.

“Remember that summer when we practically lived at the bowling alley?” Gray asks, his voice tinged with nostalgia.

“Of course,” Reid chimes in. “We had that epic tournament and Oakley was our secret weapon.”

“Secret weapon?” I laugh, my jealousy fading as I become lost in the joyful memories we share. “More like a desperate hope.”

“Hey, you saved us from complete embarrassment.” Iris grins, giving me a gentle shove.

“True,” I concede, smiling back at her.

Gray is the next one to send a ball barreling down the lane, effortlessly picking up a strike. I grin, clapping enthusiastically along with Iris and Reid.

“Show off,” I tease, playfully bumping my hip against Gray’s as he returns to our group.

“Hey, what can I say?” he replies, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “I’ve got skills.”

“Alright, Mr. Hotshot, let’s see if you can keep it up,” Reid challenges, ruffling Gray’s hair before taking his turn.

As we watch Reid’s ball curve smoothly toward the pins, I take a moment to absorb the sights and sounds around me—the colorful neon lights reflecting off the polished wood lanes, the faint scent of nacho cheese mingling with the familiar smell of bowling shoes, and the rumble of balls rolling down their tracks, punctuated by the satisfying crash of pins meeting floor.

“Nice job, Reid!” Iris exclaims as Reid knocks down all but one of the pins.

“Thanks,” Reid grins, stepping back to allow Iris her turn. She lines up her shot, sending the ball spinning down the lane with surprising force. It veers just a bit too far to the right, knocking over only a few pins, but Iris’s laughter is infectious, and we all join in.

“Next time, I promise!” she declares, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes.

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