Page 24

Jake

“ T ry not to get too upset when I embarrass you in front of your girlfriend,” Sienna teases as we walk into the familiar bowling alley in Fenway.

To say my family gets competitive during our game nights would be an understatement.

The last game night featured a very intense laser tag session and ended with Sienna refusing to talk to me for two weeks.

Maybe I should’ve just opted for a family dinner instead of feeding Eliana to the wolves.

The only thing that would outmatch their competitiveness tonight would be their nosiness. Maybe I could use that to my advantage.

“The only person who’s going to be embarrassing themselves tonight is me. I’m really bad at bowling,” Eliana chimes in.

“I find that hard to believe. You’re way too determined not to master anything you set your mind to.” I give her hand a gentle squeeze.

“I once got a ball stuck between the guardrails and the gutter.” Eliana blushes .

Normally I’d be stressed about losing my win streak, instead I’m fixated on the nervous look on her face as we stop at the table in front of our lane. My parents and Charlotte are already making their way through a pizza and a pitcher of beer.

Charlotte runs over to us, or really to Eliana, as she gently shoves me away. “I’m so excited you’re here. Jake’s never brought a girl to a family game night before. A bit of a bold choice if you ask me. Has he mentioned how competitive he gets?”

“How competitive I get? Are we forgetting the paintball fiasco of 2012 from which I still have a scar?” I scoff.

“You were in the line of fire. What was I supposed to do?” Charlotte rolls her eyes.

“I don’t know, maybe not aim for my neck?”

“Let’s not rehash the past. I’m much more interested in learning about how this happened.” Charlotte eyes my hand that’s entwined with Eliana’s. She grabbed it the second we ran into Sienna at the entrance and hasn’t let go since.

Eliana tells the lie we both agreed upon. “I’m tutoring his friend Ollie. We ran into each other a few times at Hockey House.”

“Each time she made it clear how she wanted nothing to do with me.”

“But eventually he won me over.”

“With my charm?—”

“And the fact that he apologized for being such a dick in the beginning.”

That draws a snort from Charlotte. “Keeping him in line I see. I definitely like her, Jake.”

“Are we going to spend the whole night yapping or can we get this game started?” Sienna calls out, pointing towards the bowling lane. Charlotte practically marches to stand next to her, and the two start a best-of-three series of rock paper scissors to decide whose team is going first.

“You weren’t kidding about being competitive,” Eliana whispers.

“Oh trust me. You haven’t seen anything yet.”

“Should I warn them about what a disaster I am?”

“Nah, I’m sure my mom told them to be on their best behavior around you. Which they'll try to be, especially since they can tell how much I like you.” The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them, and I wait for a feeling of regret to follow, but it doesn’t.

“Hypothetically speaking?” A flash of something appears in her eyes. Longing?

“HA— Jake, Eliana, you’re with me. Charlotte gets Mom and Dad.

” The smug look on Sienna’s face tells me she thinks we already have this in the bag.

Charlotte looks down-right pissed and I swear I hear her mumble something about cheating.

How one can cheat in rock, paper, scissors is beyond me, but I wasn’t about to argue.

“Um, do the bowling pins look weird to anyone…?” Eliana’s eyebrows knit together at the sight of the straight pins and bowling balls that can fit entirely in the palm of my hand.

“We're candlepin bowling! Longer pins, smaller balls — no laughs from the audience, please. Same rules apply, except you get three tries each round instead of two.” Sienna offers Eliana a soft smile before shooting me a look that screams, “We will not lose tonight.”

“This is about to be a nightmare,” Eliana mutters under her breath.

“Who knows? Maybe candlepin bowling will be your calling.”

A professional bowler, Eliana was not. But she was holding her own and had managed to score two spares.

The first time, she froze in place as Sienna screamed and hugged her.

The second time Eliana was ready for all the high-fives and cheers coming her way.

She even did a little strut back to her seat that I’ll never forget.

“Alright team, huddle up.” Sienna pulls us over to the corner, checking regularly to ensure Charlotte (who’s angrily gesturing at my parents) can’t overhear us.

“There’s one more frame left and we have the lead.

Knowing Charlotte, she’s going to try for a comeback and bowl next even though it’s really Dad’s turn. ”

“She always was a sore loser,” I confirm.

“We need a strike to win the whole thing. Eliana you’re on fire tonight, so I say we send you out to finish this.” Sienna pats her on the shoulder for assurance, before pushing her towards the lane.

Eliana freezes, dragging her heels in place. “I think this is a bad idea. Maybe you or Jake should…”

“No. I have a good feeling about this. My gut is never wrong. You got this.” Sienna pushes and I send out a small prayer that she’s right. Sienna would never admit it but she’s just as sore of a loser as Charlotte is.

I hold my breath as Eliana braces her shoulders, takes a step forward and releases the ball. It’s angling just right until it turns and rolls into the gutter. I shoot Charlotte a harsh look as I hear her celebrate.

Eliana walks back to where I’m standing with a defeated look on her face. Without thinking I pull her into my arms and relish the way she fits so perfectly as she leans into me. “Hey, listen to me. It's just a game.”

“I know, but I want to impress your family. I know that sounds silly, but… ”

“No trust me I get it. Kinda what got me into this situation in the first place.” I gesture between us and smile. “You’ve been on fire tonight, you got this. Just know that I’m here, cheering you on. I’ll always be in your corner rooting for you.”

She takes a deep breath, shutting her eyes for a few seconds before putting her game face back on. That’s my girl. The thought pops into my head before I can stop it. Before I can remind myself that this whole thing between us is fake and that she is, indeed, not my girl.

My leg starts bouncing the way it does during a big game as I watch Eliana swing her arm back and let the ball drop. Gutter ball again. Dammit. “Shake it off, babe. You still have one more shot. You can do this.”

If she’s affected by my words, she doesn’t show it. I watch her take another deep breath, shake the nerves out for a few seconds, and then send the ball rolling down the lane. I’m on the edge of my seat as I watch the ball knock down pin after pin until there’s nothing left. Holy shit.

“I got a strike…” Eliana mumbles like she can’t even believe it before turning around and seeing the massive smile on my face.

“I got a strike!” She starts running towards me, and I meet her in the middle, scooping her up into my arms in celebration.

Sienna clears her throat behind me, making a comment about how she wants to also get in on the celebration.

I let the two talk about Eliana’s strike, while I console Charlotte.

Though I can tell she’s a bit upset, she also can’t stop the smile that forms on her face as she watches Sienna and Eliana interact. “Next time, I’ll make sure she’s on my team Jake. You can take Dad.”

“Sorry Char. Eliana and I are a package deal. You can’t separate us.

” From the corner of my eye I catch my parents shooting each other a knowing look.

Though they didn’t voice it I had a feeling I already knew what they were thinking.

I was absolutely falling for Eliana, if I wasn’t fully gone for her already.