Page 48 of Foul Territory

I’m once again trying to impress a boy that will never see me. Except he does now. Koa watches me with concern. Like I’m this fragile thing that will break at any moment.

With my sights set on the front door, I walk past the ball return.

“Where are you going?” Joe stops me before I can get too far. “Ignore them. You get another chance. It’s all for fun anyway. No need to get so worked up.”

“I know. I just need a minute,” I say through clenched teeth, willing myself not to cry. It’s too much. I already feel silly for having this freak out moment over the situation. Joe reminding me that it’s for fun isn’t helping me feel better.

“What about your turn?”

“Just throw it in the gutter. That’s probably where it would go anyway. I’ll be right back.”

Ignoring the worry etched on Nash’s face, I push my way past oversized athletes and other bowlers having a night of fun,avoiding eye contact with everyone until I reach the front doors.

I breathe in the cool night air. It feels good on my warm skin. All the attention was making me feel flush. I lean against the brick facade. How long can I stay out here until it’s beyond awkward?

My body straightens when Koa pushes through the front door with my shoes in hand. I want to be mad but I’m actually grateful. I’m definitely done bowling for the night.

“I told them you weren’t feeling well and I was taking you home. I’ll text Nash to take your bowling shoes inside once we’ve left.”

“I’m on a date. I can’t just leave. It’s rude.”

“I let him know,” he says evenly. The slight tick in his jaw makes me believe there is something he isn’t telling me.

“He didn’t want to say goodbye?” I ask. He doesn’t say anything as he stares at me. “What did he say?”

“He said ‘okay.’”

“That’s it?” I can’t hide my disappointment. The Joe online wouldn’t have let me walk out on our date. And if I insisted, he would be out here with me. I should go back inside and finish my inquisition. I need to know if it’s him or not.You already know it’s not him.

He confirms with a slow nod. “He’s not good enough for you.”

“You don’t know anything about him and you definitely don’t know what type of man would be good for me.” I snatchmy shoes out of his hand. I slide my left foot out of the rented shoe and shimmy it back into mine.

I hop on one foot as I attempt to balance and tie my sneaker. Koa grabs the back of my heel and places my foot on his thigh. “I know that if I were him I would have followed you,” he says as he ties the laces.

His hands should be too big for this task but he does it with ease. He switches my feet and it knocks me off balance forcing me to grab his shoulders. His hands freeze in the middle of making a double loop. Maybe I should remove my hands. It's clear he doesn't want me touching him.

“I would have made sure you were okay. I wouldn’t have let another man do it. That’s for damn sure.” He tugs hard on my laces, tightening them on the top of my feet.

“You’re such a prince. I’m sure that’s exactly what you would do for your date.” I push off his shoulders. I’m feeling more confident with both of my feet back on solid ground.

“I’m here for you now, aren’t I?”

“We both know why you’re here.”

A smug smile distorts his full lips. “And why’s that?” He crosses his arms over his muscular chest waiting for me to answer the obvious.

“Nash. He was worried and sent you out here.”

Koa grunts a derisive laugh. This seems to be the only way he knows how to laugh anymore. At least around me.

“I’m not your brother’s lap dog. I don’t heel to his commands. He didn’t ask me to do anything. I saw the panic in your eyes. I made the call to find you.” He tips my chinwith his hand to get me to look at him. “I’m here because I wanted to make sure you were okay. I’m here for you because I want to be. Not because anyone asked me to.”

His eyes soften around the edges. A silent plea for me to believe him. I have no reason not to, other than it contradicts every conclusion I’ve come to as to why he chooses to do certain things for me.

Any other time we're in this same situation I was told he was sent by Nash. Excuse me for being a little skeptical.

“Thank you for bringing me my shoes. As you can see I’m fine.” A breeze wraps around us, blowing some of my hair over my face. I try to shake it back but it doesn’t work.