Page 31 of Levi

“This was the most delicious waffle of mylife. I don’t mean to sound impolite; it was just fucking orgasmic,” Quinn says, and Kenzie looks at her for a moment before she busts out laughing.

“Aren’t they? When Stella told me she wanted to try this, I thought she was crazy. But the second I tried a bite, I knew she nailed it. After that, I’ve never questioned a damn thing she’s wanted to make—unless it includes orange. I refuse to let her experiment any more with that.”

“It sounds like there’s a story there?” I laugh, but Kenzie shakes her head.

“No, no, no. I’ve already said too much. Ask her that one yourself.”

“Do you know when she will be in town next?” I ask.

“She’ll be here for the Cyclones game coming up. She wanted to check in on everything and figured she’d join Miles and the team,” Kenzie says as she turns around to see a group of people heading toward the front. “Sorry guys, I’ve gotta help them. It was good to see you both.”

“Good to see you, too, Kenzie,” Quinn says with a smile as she hurries off. “She’s so nice,” she finally says.

“She really is,” I tell her, looking down at my phone to see it’s just about time to head to the bowling alley.

“You about ready to head out?” I ask, and her eyes light up.

“Is it bowling time finally?!” she says with a little clap.

“It is,” I reply, and she’s standing up before I can say another word.

“Say less. Lead the way.”

“Come on, Angel,” I tell her as I grab her hand, a feeling I’m starting to get more and more used to. “Let’s go so I can kick your ass in bowling.”

“Bet,” she says with a smirk.

* * *

Bowlingduring the day in the middle of the week is always my favorite because it’s usually not too busy. Plus, the people who are here at this time are either really nice, or pretty much just leave you alone—probably because a majority of them either know my nana or live in the same retirement facility as her. The question of if she liked them or hated them usually influenced whether they came to say hi or not.

Obviously there’s a select few who love to come say hi to me just to piss her off, but I usually do my best to avoid them. Nana is the sweetest woman you’ll ever meet, unless she feels like she can’t trust you or you’ve wronged her in a way—then you’re on her short list, and it’s better to just avoid her at that point.

The sound of bowling balls rolling down the lanes and pins crashing down is like music to my ears. It’s a comfortable feeling because just like a hockey rink, bowling alleys are like a second home for me. I grew up spending my weekends here watching my grandparents until, finally, I was old enough to start bowling with them.

I’ve even convinced a few of the guys to join a bowling league with me in the off-season. I’m pretty sure they all hate me for it—well, except for Coop. That man loves just about anything. This is Quinn’s last turn, and if she doesn’t get a strike, I win.

It’s even better than that, though, because even if that girl gets nine out of ten of those damn pins, it’s still only a tie. Based on the rules my nana taught me, in those cases age trumps beauty, so I win.

Standing up right in front of the lane, her hot pink ball in hand, Quinn does her cute little butt wiggle before taking a step closer.

"Better not fuck this one up, Angel," I joke, and she turns around and blows me a kiss...with her middle finger, obviously.

"Boy, is that any way to talk to a lady?” I hear a voice from behind me, and I cringe because I’d recognize that voice anywhere.

Nana.

Fuck.

Turning to face her, I see she’s surrounded by three of her friends who all look like they’re about to burst out laughing at me getting scolded.

“Hello, ladies,” I tell them with a smile before walking over to my nana and giving her a hug. “Hello, Nana,” I say as I kiss her cheek.

“You didn’t answer my question,” Nana says, her hands now on her hips.

“Hi, Nana!” Quinn says, and it’s like I forget they’ve met on multiple occasions when I was with her sister. Will this ever feel normal?

“Hi, Quinny,” Nana says, pulling her in for a hug and whispering something I can’t quite make out, but all I know is it makes Quinn smile, so my curiosity is spiked. “Sorry my boy has forgotten his manners lately, but I have a feeling you’ll have no problem whipping him into shape,” she says with a wink.

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