Chapter 3
"Strike!" AJ yelled, blowing on his fingers and rubbing them on his chest. "Read em and weep boys and girl" He grinned.
"Oh stop gloating! No one likes a show off!" Brian grumbled.
"You're just pissed that you're twenty pins behind. I understand, you want these skills." AJ smirked.
Brian rolled his eyes. "That's why no one wants to bowl with you."
"Sure sure, they're intimidated by my smooth moves."
They all stared at him.
"See that, I've rendered you all speechless, it's a gift." He sighed.
There were assorted groans and muttering as AJ sauntered back over to one of the chairs, sitting, grinning proudly.
"Celeste, you're up." Kevin announced.
Nick grinned, leaning over to kiss her quickly. "Go show AJ how it's done baby."
"You bet. Step aside step aside, let the REAL talent through." She called out, walking over to get her ball from the ball return.
"Uh huh, whatever you say." AJ muttered. "Who's ahead?"
"It'll change."
"Whatever." AJ sighed.
Celeste took her shot. "Ohhh! Look at that! Strike! Who's the girl?!" She squealed.
"Unreal!" AJ moaned.
"I believe that puts me ahead by ten." She cackled.
They all chuckled as AJ shook his head sadly.
"Not for long!" He vowed.
"Hey guys!" Nyla called out, waving.
They all said hi as her and Scott made their way over to the alley.
"So, who's winning?" She asked, sitting down to put her shoes on.
Every Friday since her and Nick had been dating, was bowling night. All of the guys and whomever their girlfriends were at the time, all met at the alley for a night of bowling. Even though her and Nick were no longer dating, the guys had insisted she still participate and bring her boyfriend.
"I am." Celeste replied smugly. "AJ's getting his ass whipped!"
"It's the same every week AJ." Scott chuckled.
"I can make a come back, I can! I'm not worried, she's only ahead by one strike, piece of cake."
Nyla, shook her head, standing and dropping her ball in the return. "Yeah, go easy on her AJ."
"I am, that's why I let her get ahead of me, wanted her to feel good."
"Oh please!" Celeste muttered in disgust.
"Your turn Howie." Kevin went on, chuckling.
As Howie went up to take his shot, Nyla went to sit back down next to Scott, she watched as Celeste sauntered over to Nick, sitting on his lap, whispering something in his ear. Whatever she said caused him to laugh suddenly and she raised an eyebrow. Why was it that every Friday, Celeste like to put on some kinda show to prove that her and Nick were an item? It'd been like that from the moment the two had started dating. Nyla didn't understand it. Shaking her head, Nyla turned to watch the rest of the game.
"So Nyla, how's grams?" Kevin asked, turning to look at her.
"She's great! Just talked to her a few days ago actually, she said she was really tired, but that's about it. She's tired a lot here lately, I think she does too much." She smiled.
All the guys had become attached to her Grandmother and she was a Grandmother to them all. When her and Nick had broken up, they saw less of her, but always asked, as did she.
"I really need to go and visit her, but it's so hard to get to New York with work and all." She sighed.
They all nodded.
"Nick, you're up." Kevin announced again.
He leaned in, kissing Celeste quickly before standing and grabbing his ball from the return. He enjoyed Friday nights, always had. It was nice to get to hang out with the guys. Out the corner of his eye, he watched as Nyla talked to Brian, laughing softly. Shaking his head, he just didn't get her.
Every week it was the same, they barely talked and when they did, it was usually some sarcastic comment about each other's bowling. It was amazing to him how close two people could be one minute and the next, almost strangers. She barely acknowledged Celeste, though she was never straight-out nasty, just, cold and aloof. It was to be expected he supposed, but he kinda wanted some other kind of reaction, what, he wasn't sure.
Granted, he wasn't buddy buddy with Scott either, and it wasn't that Scott hadn't tried either. He was a good guy, great actually, really good for Nyla, but Nick just couldn't seem to connect with him. All the rest of the guys had no problem, but just him. But it was ok with him; he didn't have to like him, just like Nyla didn't have to like Celeste.
He took his shot, and walked back over, waiting for his ball to return.
Nyla watched him, wondering what he was thinking. They always used to know each other's thoughts, they'd been that close once. It was sad to her; she missed his friendship, real friendship. Sure they still talked, but it was painfully polite, cordial. That was ok she guessed, but she hated the pretending, she wanted the genuine.
She watched as he took his second shot, finishing up his game, starting back.
"Not too shabby there Carter." She shot, smirking.
"Naturally, it's all in the wrist." He grinned, sitting.
She chuckled and waited as they finished up, Celeste won.
"She cheated!" AJ called.
"You wish." Brian grinned.
They all laughed and got ready to start another game.
