I haven’t seen nor heard from Rico since I walked out of the Chapel on Saturday, but we have practice today, so there’s no avoiding him this afternoon. It’s not like I was avoiding him, anyway. More like he’s been avoiding me.
Over the past two days, we found out Aunt Margie did give my mom Uncle James’ Demerol, but she swears she didn’t know Mom was going to try killing herself with them. I’m furious with her, and so is Uncle James. I’m not sure what’s going to happen with them, but I really hope they can work through this. Nathan and Natasha do not need to go through what I’ve been going through since my parents divorced.
I also found out my dad and his new wife are expecting another baby. Their son, my half-brother, is just over a year old, and they’re already having another kid. My life is in turmoil, both at home and at school, and I hate it. I’m by no means a control freak, but I don’t like not knowing what’s going to happen next.
Sighing, I shake myself and pull my head from the shit that’s been going on the past couple of days and think about what’s coming next. I have practice today, Wednesday, and Friday, and then classes start next week. My roommate will be moving in over the weekend, and I’m anxious to meet her.
“Gray,” I hear my name and look over to see Ryder walking toward my car. He’s wearing a shirt that has Bowling is for Badasses written on it, and I can’t help but smile. “How’s your mom?”
“She’s still not talking,” I tell him as I open my door and climb out. “They’re running tests, but once everything checks out they’re releasing her to a facility here in Gainesville.”
“Do you know which one yet?” He asks.
“No,” I answer. “I should know by Wednesday though.”
“Good,” he responds and looks around the parking lot. “You doing okay?”
“I’m okay,” I tell him, and he smiles a little. “I just want to focus on bowling and get my mind off all the shit that’s happened.”
“Xander and Joy are here already,” he says and nods to Joy’s car and Xander’s motorcycle.
“Great,” I say and shake my head. Since finding out Aunt Margie gave mom those pills, I haven’t talked to Xander or Joy either. “Maybe coming to practice was a bad idea.”
“No,” Ryder says and lays a hand on my shoulder. “You told us before that bowling was what helped you most when your sister died. Let it help you again now.”
“Yeah, okay,” I say and hit the button on my key fob and open the back hatch of my SUV. “Let me grab my gear.”
“Let me help you,” he says, and I shake my head and look at his own bowling bag.
“You have your own stuff to get inside.”
“Yes, but I only have one bag, you have two. Let me help you,” he says, and I roll my eyes.
“Are you saying I have more balls than you?”
His burst of laughter makes me chuckle and I feel some of the tension starting to roll off my shoulders. “Yeah, I guess I am.”
“Fine,” I say and grin. “I’ll let you carry my balls, but that doesn’t mean I’ll let you play with them.”
His laughter follows us though the parking lot and into the building. I am thankful for him when we enter, and my eyes land on Rico. He is leaned against the far wall, next to the lockers, and his eyes are locked on us.
“He likes you,” Ryder tells me softly. “But he isn’t the only one.”
“Yeah,” I comment and look from Rico to where Xander is standing with Joy and Micah.
“Xander isn’t either,” he says as he follows my gaze.
“What?” I ask, looking at him. “Who else?”
“Me,” he whispers. “I know I don’t really stand a chance, but I thought you should know you have options.”
He grins and walks away, pulling one of my bowling bags behind him.
Options? I ask myself. Do I really want options?”
“What are you thinking about?” Nadia asks from beside me. I didn’t hear her walk up, and I jump a little. “Didn’t mean to startle you.”
“I’ve never even had a boyfriend,” I confess, almost silently. “And now I have options.”
“Woah, you’ve never had a boyfriend?” She asks, her eyes wide.
“Why does that surprise you?” I ask and look down at myself. I am barely five foot, two inches tall, with red hair cut to the middle of my back and so many freckles I almost look like I have a killer tan. I’m not what one would call skinny, but I’m not really fat either. I have curves and am not what high school guys lusted after.
“You’re hot, Gray,” she says and looks down at me. “And I don’t just mean physically. You’re the complete package, and any guy would be lucky to be with you.”
“Okay,” I respond and roll my eyes.
“You’ll see,” she says and grins at me. “Wait until classes start and the guys notice you.”
“I’m a bowling nerd, Nadia,” I remind her. “The guys don’t lust over nerds.”
“Here they do,” she responds with a wink and walks off. I roll my eyes again, and head toward the lanes Coach has us on today.
“Hey, Gray,” Xander greets me. He’s not as enthusiastic as he usually is to see me.
“Xander,” I respond and turn away from him.
“Can we talk?” He asks from directly behind me.
I inhale deeply then exhale slowly before I turn to look at him. “Sure.”
“Walk with me?” He asks with a raised eyebrow.
“Sure,” I respond again and follow him to the small patio he’d taken me to the first time I met him.
“Gray,” he says softly once we’re outside. “You’ve been avoiding me.”
“I’ve been busy with my mom,” I tell him, and he sighs and reaches out and touches my cheek.
“I’ve called you,” he tells me, and it’s my turn to sigh.
“I know,” I respond and look at out at the grassy patch behind the bowling alley. “After what we found out, I didn’t want to talk to anyone.”
“Anyone, or just Joy and me?” He asks with a raised eyebrow.
“Anyone,” I say again. “Other than Uncle James and my dad, I haven’t talked to anyone except mom’s doctors.”
“Joy and I aren’t upset with you,” he tells me and lays a hand on my shoulder. “We talked to dad, and he’s really pissed at Aunt Margie, too. She should have never given your mom those pills, Gray. That’s on her, and none of us can blame anyone except her for making that decision.”
“I knew she hated mom, but I never imagined she’d give her something like that,” I whisper, and he wraps his arms around me from behind and pulls he against his chest. When his chin rests on the top of my head, I inhale deeply and close my eyes.
“Gray, she made a mistake,” he says, and I exhale slowly. “I’m not defending her, and I think she should face the consequences of that mistake, but it was a mistake, nonetheless. It was her mistake though, and it could have caused you to lose more than you’ve already lost. I’m not sure I can forgive her for hurting you.”
“Xander,” I start, but he turns me in his arms so I facing him.
“No,” he says firmly and kisses my forehead. “I like you Graycen, and I want to see where this goes between us. I can’t fathom what Aunt Margie was thinking when she gave those damn pills to someone with severe depression. She should have known something was going to happen.”
“I can’t get involved with you right now, Xander. I can’t get involved with anyone.”
“I know, but you did agree to think about going on a date with me, remember?”
“Yes,” I answer in look up at him.
“Well, when you’re ready, I have the perfect place to take you.”
“Oh, where’s that?” I ask with a raised eyebrow.
“It’s a surprise,” he responds and grins when I narrow my eyes. “Let’s get back in so we can practice. We have our first match in five weeks, and Coach hasn’t set our starting lineup yet.”
“As a freshman, I high
ly doubt I’ll be starting,” I say, and he shakes his head.
“Don’t doubt yourself. You’re a better bowler than half the upper classmen.”
“Don’t let them hear you say that,” I mutter, and he chuckles.
“Most of them will say it themselves,” he tells me then takes my hand and pulls me back to the door. “Before we go inside, there’s one more thing I want to say.”
“What’s that?” I ask and look up at him.
“This,” he says and leans down. His lips brush across mine in a quick, yet very soft kiss.
“Xander,” I nearly gasp, but he pulls back and grins before he walks through the door and into the bowling alley.
I stand there a moment and replay the soft kiss before I open the door and follow him. I’m sure he doesn’t realize this, but that was my first kiss, and I really liked it.
Chapter Twelve
Rico
I watch as Xander walks back in without Gray, and I narrow my eyes at him. I know what’s been going on with Gray’s mom, I’ve talked to her dad several times over the past two days, and I don’t like the part Xander and Joy’s aunt played in what happened.
“Where’s Gray?” I hear Wren ask when Xander walks up to their lanes.
“She’ll be in in a minute,” he responds, and I shake my head. I don’t know what happened outside between the two of them, but I’m going to find out.
I move toward the patio, but stop when the door opens and Gray walks back in. She looks confused, and kind of dazed. “Shit,” I say softly and look at Xander. He’s made his move.
Before I can say anything, Coach walks out from the office and I know it’s time to start bowling. Thankfully, he’s put Gray and I on the same lanes today. Unfortunately, Xander and Ryder are both on the lanes, too. I know Ryder likes Gray, hell, he came to me and talked to me about it, but he’s not the one I worry about. Xander is persistent and isn’t used to girls turning him down.
He truly is the total package when it comes to college guys. He looks like trouble, even though he isn’t, and trouble is always attractive to girls. I sigh deeply and walk to the lanes. “Hey everyone.”
“Hey Al,” Ryder greets me with a grin. “Y’all ready to bowl?”
“You know I am,” I respond with a grin of my own. Ryder is a good guy.
“Al,” Brennon calls out from the other set of lanes. “Betcha can’t beat me today.”
“I’ll take that bet,” I call back. “If I win, you buy the pizza tonight. If I lose, I’ll buy.”
“Deal,” he responds with a grin. We’ve made this same bet about fifty times over the last year, and we’re about even on wins and losses.
“Anyone else?” I ask and look around at my teammates. It’s not unusual for us guys to have friendly wagers for pizza.
“I’ll get in on this,” Ryder says with a grin. “I could use some free pizza.”
“Shit,” Brennon mutters and I chuckle. Ryder beats Brennon nearly every time.
“I’m in, too,” Jaylen says, and my grin grows. Today is going to be fun.
“Pizza bet?” Micah asks when he walks over, and I nod. “You know I’m in.”
“Anyone else?” Brennon asks.
“I’ll take that bet,” Gray says from behind me and I turn to face her.
“Oh hell,” I say, and she smiles. “Guys, we’re screwed.”
“You don’t think we can beat a girl, Al?” Micah asks, but he’s grinning at Gray. She’s the only one of the girls who has ever gotten involved in our wagers.
“Guess we’ll find out,” I mutter and smile at her. I’ll gladly buy Graycen’s pizza.
“I’m in, too,” Xander speaks up. He doesn’t usually get involved with the fun either, and I know he’s just doing it to impress Gray.
“Anyone else? Betting closes in one minute?” Brennon calls out.
“We’re good,” Joy says and looks at the other three who aren’t involved with the betting. “Westin, you want in?”
“Against Gray? Hell no,” he says and smiles at her. “Unlike the rest of you, she’s kicked my ass more than once on the lanes.”
“What are you talking about?” Gray asks, tilting her head to look at him in confusion.
“State,” he answers and grins at her again. “Two years in a row. We didn’t actually bowl against each other, but your scores were posted for everyone to see. FHSAA also had it up on their website. You were the one to beat in high school. The girls I bowled with hated you and loved you at the same time.”
“Envy is a brutal emotion,” Wren says and grins at Gray. “I’m glad I’m from Georgia and never had to bowl against her.”
Before Gray can say anything, Coach walks up. “Okay everyone, we’re going to just bowl today. I want to watch everyone’s form and technique. I need to start working on a lineup for the first competition and need you all to be on top of you game today. We’re going to go head to head today, which is why I have you divided like you are.”
“Excellent,” Brennon says, and we all chuckle.
“Gray, since we have an odd number of bowlers, you’ll be bowling a blind today. We’ll rotate the next few practices, and everyone will get a chance to bowl against everyone else before the first match.”
“Sounds good, Coach,” Gray says as she slips her shoes off and slides her feet into a pair of custom bowling shoes. They’re her high school colors and have the FHSAA logo on them. I’m nearly certain she got them after winning state the second time.
“Nice shoes,” I mutter to her as I sit down beside her and slide on my own bowling shoes.
“Thanks,” she responds with a grin. “My coach got them for me after my second state win, which was also the year our girls team won state.”
“How did none of us notice them before?” Joy asks as she leans in so she can get a look.
“I had left them at home when I packed up everything. I don’t usually wear them when I’m practicing, but I needed the confidence they give me today.”
“You’re an excellent bowler,” Xander says and I look up at him. “Any extra confidence, and you’ll make the rest of us look bad.”
“Shut up, Xander,” Ryder says and smacks him on the back of the head. “After the weekend she had, she deserves something that lifts her spirits.”
“Thanks, Ryder,” she mutters and looks at her shoes. “I know it’s silly, but I haven’t lost a head to head since I started wearing these in competition.”
“You should always wear them,” I tell her softly. “They represent how hard you’ve worked.”
“Exactly,” Brennon agrees. “Now, let’s bowl.”
“Yes,” Coach says with a grin. He’s not a hard-ass, by any means, but he does like us to stick to a time frame, and we’re already a little behind today.
For the next ten minutes, we warm-up while Coach gets our names in the computers the way he wants us. I grin when I see that he has Gray bowling right after me. He knows she’s excellent as anchor, and I really hope he starts her in that position.
“Good luck everyone,” Brennon shouts as the lanes switch from warm-up to game play. “Y’all are gonna need it.”
“You’re the one who needs it, little brother,” Ryder says, and Brennon flips him off with a chuckle.
I see Gray shake her head and grin at them before her face shifts. Her jaw sets, and I recognize that expression easily. She’s about to kick all of our asses.
I silently watch as the others start their games. Wren grabs nine and a spare, and Xander starts with a sloppy strike on our lanes. Brennon and Joy both roll nine and a spare to start their games. Today is going to be close, but I already know who’s going to win, and it isn’t me.
“Xander,” Gray says softly, and he looks over at her. “May I offer a little advice?”
He shrugs, and she looks at the floor for a second. She’s a damn good bowler, and sees shit most people miss when others bowl, but she’s not confident enough to actually speak up often. “I’ve been watching you
in practice, and I’ve noticed that your mark is half a board off. You’re hitting on the outside arrow, and your ball is hitting too hard on the head pin. Shift to the outside edge of that arrow, and it should clean up your strikes a little.”
“I’ve told him that at least a dozen times,” Coach says and smiles at Gray. “Listen to her, Xander. She knows what she’s talking about.”
“Yeah,” he responds and sits at the table across from Gray. I shake my head and grab my Motiv Golden Jackal. My Abuela bought me this ball when I signed with LPU, and it quickly became my favorite ball.
I throw a clean strike, then turn around and grin at Gray. I am not going to take it easy on her, and I want her to know it.
“Nice shot,” she says, and fist bumps me before she grabs her Storm Ice, and steps onto the lane.
“You got this,” I mutter softly as she starts her approach. She releases right on her mark, and my grin grows. I have always loved watching her bowl, but I can’t seem to take my eyes off her ass today.
“Shit,” I hear her say, and I shift my focus from her to the pins. Her Storm doesn’t break the way it should, and she misses the pocket by a board.
“Oh, bad luck,” Ryder says. Gray shakes her head and grabs her spare ball, which is a better ball than most people’s main ball, and quickly cleans up the five pin she left with the first ball.
I can tell she’s already irritated with herself, and that makes me grin again. She always bowls better when she’s pissed at herself.
Chapter Thirteen
Graycen
I can’t believe I missed my strike I think as I grab my Storm and walk to my bowling bag. I slide it back inside and zip it closed before I unzip my other bag and pull out my favorite ball.
“Oh shit,” I hear Rico say when his eyes land on the ball in my hands.
“Is that a Jackal Carnage?” Ryder asks as I walk back to the lanes and slide it in the rack.
“Yep,” I respond and walk back to my bag. When I grab a second ball, I hear Rico gasp softly. I knew this ball would bring back memories for him.
Changing Lanes (Lake Park University Book 1) Page 7