Page 78 of From Now On

“Agreed,” Rylan says. “Like Three Fingers Fit or Bowls Deep.”

Harlow laughs so hard she starts coughing. “Damn. You and Aidan are so perfect for each other.”

Rylan sticks her tongue out. “Bitch.”

Harlow’s still giggling.

I peek at the counter. The boys are walking this way, laces dangling from both hands.

“Guys, we’re running out of time,” I say.

“You’re right, you’re right.” Harlow sobers. “Alley Cats?”

“Ball Busters?” Rylan adds.

“Split it up, ladies!” Aidan calls, dropping the shoes he’s carrying on the floor. Hunter and Conor do the same. “We’re ready to kick your asses.”

Rylan flips him off. “Good luck.”

Unless she and Harlow are Olympic-level bowlers, no luck will be necessary. I certainly won’t be the one carrying the team.

I find my size in the shoe pile and slip them on. “Split is a bowling term, right?” I whisper to Harlow as I tie the laces.

“Yeah,” she replies. “When you knock down pins in the middle and leave some standing on both sides so that?—”

“What about Split or Swallow?” I ask.

“Evelyn Jane,” Harlow mock-scolds me. “I fear I’ve been a terrible influence on you.”

“Youhave, Harlow Cara.”

She smirks and bumps my shoulder before turning to whisper to Rylan.

Rylan hoots a few seconds later. “It’s perfect!” She leans past Harlow to flash me a thumbs-up.

I finish knotting my laces and glance at the guys. Aidan and Hunter are slouched on the plastic seats. Conor’s standing with a ball already in hand. “Ladies first,” he says, winking at Harlow.

“You go first,” she whispers to Rylan.

Rylan nods seriously. “And I’m not supposed to aim toward the center, right?”

“I mean, aim toward the center. But it’ll veer, so don’tactuallyaim toward the center,” Harlow replies.

Rylan looks to me. “Am I crazy, or did that make no sense?”

“It made no sense,” I assure her, increasingly nervous about my own turn.

“Rye! Bowl!” Aidan bellows. “You already had your secret strategy session.”

Rylan rolls her eyes before she stands and walks toward the lane.

“Wait, what’s your team name?” Aidan asks. “Gotta put it on the board.”

“Split or Swallow,” Rylan replies primly.

Aidan makes a choked sound, then coughs. Conor’s chuckling. Hunter’s only reaction is to lift his eyebrows a little.

“I knew you were going to make it dirty,” Aidan says.

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