Page 22 of The Game

“Well, this isn’t a book. How about if we just wing it? Make the rules up as we go. Or not. We don’t have to be or do anything we don’t want to. Maybe for tonight we’ll pretendit’s real in front of the guys, and then next time we see each other, we can lay down some rules if you really want to.”

Her glossy copper lip is tucked in between her teeth as she nibbles away on it. I flick my eyes back to the road, focusing on the turn into the bowling alley. Those lips are way too distracting. I may not be looking for a relationship, but that doesn’t stop my lesser brain from admiring a pretty girl.

My fingers are flexing on the steering wheel. Now that we’re here, my stomach is roiling with nerves. Get a grip. This isn’t a date. But as much as I’ve avoided spending too much time off the ice with the guys, I am around them enough to realize they can be a bit much.

“Jazz.” She’s staring at me with a curious look when I turn to face her.

“Yes.”

“The guys. They can be a bit much. Maybe I should have thought of that before I invited you out. If you want, we can turn around and find something else to do.”

She tilts her head to the side, and I can almost feel those dark eyes reading my thoughts. “Are you nervous?”

“No. What are you talking about?”

“You are. You’re nervous. These are your teammates. What are you nervous about?”

I swipe a hand down my face. It’s a little unsettling to be read that easily. I thought I had some pretty impenetrable shields up. “I told you. The guys. They’re, you know, jocks. They don’t always know when to use their inside voices. I don’t want youto get scared off. This is, after all, our very first fake date. It would be a shame if it was our last.”

“Don’t worry about me. You know I’ve hung out with some of these guys before, right? I told you I knew them through Jordan. I can handle a little machismo and posturing. From what I’ve seen, they seem like pretty decent guys underneath the loud mouths.” Her silky hair looks so soft and touchable as it slides over her shoulder. It’s very distracting when she wears it down. “Not to mention I grew up in a big family. Lots of siblings, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Herrera family celebrations can get pretty boisterous. If you don’t want to do this, though, you’re going to have to let me know now, otherwise I’m getting out of the car.” Her hand hovers over the door handle.

Ok then. Time to do this. I pull my shoulders back, nodding at her. “I’m good. Let’s go.”

Her smile widens, and she’s out the door before I can walk around to open it for her. I’m entranced by the sight of the round curves of her ass highlighted by the leggings clinging to them. It takes the slamming of her car door to break me out of my trance. Fuck. Not a great start there, Schaeffer.

We make it through the front doors of Lakeland Bowling without running into the rest of our group. We leave behind the cool calm of the parking lot, entering what can only be described as chaotic chaos. If that’s even a thing. There are buzzers and bells ringing and flashing from the arcade to our right. Loud top forty music blares over the speakers, and athundering roar of multiple bowling balls rolling down the alleys echoes through the place.

It’s a lot.

“Coco! You made it. Didn’t think you were coming. And you brought a date! And it’s Jazz? What the hell, man. You’ve been holding out on us. What does Jordan have to say about this?” Grant says, eyes all lit up as reaches over to pull her in for a hug.

Coco. Jazz’s lips are twitching as she mouths the stupid name at me over Grant’s shoulders. I roll my eyes with a quick headshake.

“I said I was coming. I’m here. Apparently, you already know this asshole.” I point at the asshole in question who’s currently shaking the brown waves on top of his head after he steps back from drooling all over her. “Do you know the rest of the guys?” I turn to her, not wanting to look at the mangy group surrounding us like a pack of wolves that’s discovered a piece of meat after a lean winter.

She smiles at Beau. “Hi, Beau.” He’s wearing a pale blue polo shirt, and khaki pants with his hair gelled smoothly to the side. But at least he holds out a smooth hand for a shake rather than wrapping his arms around her like Grant did. My jaw is still clenched from seeing that.

“Dev.” Her smile is just as bright for him as she approaches our other D-man, Lucy.

He nods, crossing his arms over his chest.

She tilts her head, eyes narrowing when she spots JJ bouncing up and down on his toes behind Lucy.

“Do you know Jenson?”

Jazz shakes her head. “I don’t believe we’ve met before.”

“Oh, you’d remember if you’d met me before. I’m unforgettable,” he says, eyes twinkling.

If I was more comfortable with the team, I’d punch him for that. Luckily, Beau takes care of it for me. “Don’t be a dick in front of the lady.”

Apparently, she isn’t bothered by his cockiness, shoulders shaking with laughter. “He’s our goalie. Watch out for him. Goalies are a special sort of crazy town.”

“Hey. I resent that. Nice to meet you.” Our very tall goalie gives a surprised Jazz a hug that has me grinding my teeth again.

“Mackenzie and his girlfriend.” One of the younger guys is here with his girlfriend. A twinge of guilt has me rubbing the back of my neck, searching my brain. I don’t know her name. Luckily, she steps up, blonde ponytail bobbing, cheerleader smile on her face.

“Hi, I’m Serena. Nice to have another girlfriend here.”

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