Trouble.
I’m in so much freaking trouble.
I had no idea what to expect when I agreed to this double date, but this sure isn’t it.
“Bowling? You brought us bowling?”
The last part of my sentence is swallowed as one of the machines lets out a noise to signal somebody just got a strike. Cheers and boos spread through the space along with the other chatter and music blasting through the speakers.
“Have something against bowling, Trouble?” Matthew asks, but instead of shouting to be heard over all the noise, he leans down, his warm breath tickling my skin as he whispers into my ear.
“No,” I reply immediately, my voice hitching, if only slightly. “Bowling is fine.”
“Good.” Matthew hands me the shoes, and we all sit down to put them on before going to the lane that was assigned to us.
“Have you ladies ever played?” Nico asks, his attention firmly fixed on me.
Mae rolls her eyes. “Who hasn’t bowled before? Seriously, what do you think? We’re some damsels in distress that need a man’s help to roll a freaking ball? Trust me, nobody sane would rely on a man for anything.”
“Seriously?” Nico asks her, his voice dropping lower. “It was just a stupid question. Saying ‘yes’ is perfectly fine.”
“Oh, please, I was just waiting for the”—she makes her voice deeper, to imitate Nico’s—“‘Don’t worry, babe. I can teach you.’ moment.”
“Are you always this feisty, or am I that special?”
Mae scoffs. “Don’t flatter yourself, Rivera.”
“How about we make a bet, then? If you’re so sure of your ability.”
“Sure. After I’m done wiping the floor with your ass, I want a promise that you’ll stay away from me.”
“Okay. And if I win, you owe me a date. A real one.”
He extends his hand toward her so they can shake on it, but Mae just glares at him, which makes his smile grow bigger.
“What? I thought you’re sure in your abilities, Doc.”
“Fine,” she grits, placing her hand in his for a quick handshake before pulling it back almost as if it burned her.
“Well, if you’re done with your bickering, we can start the game.” Matthew’s arm falls over my shoulders. “Trouble and me?—”
Mae brushes it away with a sweet smile. “Easy there, lover boy. It’ll be Jessy and me against you two.” She gives him a pointed look. “Just because I allowed you to take my bestie on this date doesn’t mean you’ve earned it. Now, shall we begin? Ladies first?”
She doesn’t wait for an answer before she walks us over to the rack with balls and tries a few of them.
“You’ve got some serious explaining to do,” I mutter softly, grabbing a ball and weighing it in my hand.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Hmm… This one.” She looks at me, her expression innocently blank. “You done?”
“Picking the ball? Sure. With you? Not even close. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this mean.” Her eyes narrow, whichmakes me sigh softly. “Be nice. Please? Remember, this was your idea.”
“My idea foryou. I don’t need a man in my life. Especially notthatkind of man.”
“And what kind of man isthat?”
“Big, overbearing, self-centered…”
“A cop?” I challenge.
