When Our Worlds Stand Still (Our Worlds #3)(56)

The bowling alley is bright lights and a bustle of people searching for a ball not too heavy, but not too light. Graham reserves our lanes while the rest of us journey to find our own. This garners more jokes than you can possibly imagine. A particular one I don’t appreciate comes from Amanda and is geared toward my more-than-willing brother.

Will makes sure to include everyone in the conversation about minor moments in our lives. He’s always been good at making everyone welcome. Maybe a little too welcome, I think, when I witness his hand slide between Amanda’s knees.

When Amanda stands to take her turn, Will shifts to the seat next to mine.

“So, what’s going on, Sis?” His eyes travel to where Graham and Violet are in the middle of a heated debate over the rules and regulations.

“I’m dealing with things, one day at a time.” I laugh at their mini-outburst.

“I suppose Jackie’s words have been rubbing off on you.”

“If I’ve learned one thing, it’s that it’s hard not to move on when you have something to look forward to.” My attention shifts to Graham in the bank of chairs across from us. His smile widens when he notices my gaze focused on his side of the lane. If I could have an out of body experience, I know what I would witness. A girl in love.

“When Mom and Dad first told me about him, I gotta be honest, I wasn’t thrilled,” he explains. Will’s eyes bounce between Graham and me.

“And why’s that?”

“He’s me. I’m him. Guys like us are cut from the same cloth. We don’t take relationships seriously, and we take the girls we sleep with even less.”

“Graham’s not like that.”

“Anymore. He’s not like that anymore.” He grabs my knee and gives it a shake. “But it seems I’ve been wrong about him. Sometimes, all it takes is a good girl to dust us off and scrub out all the stains of our past.”

A giggle escapes my lips. “You think there’s a girl out there with enough elbow grease to clean you up?” I joke, missing the easy banter the two of us have always been capable of.

His eyes take the slow ride to Amanda. She holds the ball to her chest, and with every step she takes, Will’s stare moves with her. When she pulls her arm back, it breaks the spell he’s under, and he turns back to me.

“Maybe.”

Even though Will’s reputation is much like Graham’s, he wasn’t an athlete in high school. He doesn’t have the patience or the heart. Everyone knows how hard the football coach begged and pleaded for him to play, but he’s always said he had better things to do. Turns out, the better things had blonde hair and long legs.

“How’s everything else going? Support group still helping?” Will takes a serious conversation turn.

“The support group’s been helping, and Jackie calls once a week, just to catch up and let me talk.”

“I’ve never said it, but I’m sorry I wasn’t there more.” Mid-sentence, his voice breaks. He looks to the ground, furiously wiping at the corners of his eyes.

“I understand why you couldn’t, Will, and it’s okay. Traveling across the country is expensive.” The reminder of Will not coming home after the attack and during the trial stings even after all this time.

When it’s Will’s turn, I’m thankful for the break in conversation. I cross the floor to sit beside Graham and lay my head on his shoulder. He presses his cheek against my crown and asks if everything’s okay. For once, I’m not sure how to answer.

“Kennedy, you’re up,” Violet yells. It’s almost impossible to hear over the music.

By the time we’ve played two games, everyone’s enthusiasm is wavering. Violet’s uncontrollable yawns force me into calling it for everyone.

“Will, where are you staying?” I ask, handing my shoes to the guy behind the counter. Amanda bounces up next to him, and they smirk at each other. “Oh, no, no, no. You are not staying at the apartment, Will.”

“I mean, it would only make sense. You’ll stay at the hotel with Graham, and Will can take your bed,” Amanda explains the obvious.

I latch onto Will’s shirt, pulling him so close, our noses almost touch. “You better only be sleeping in my bed. You understand me?”

“Yes, mother.” Will singsongs. “I’ll be on my best behavior. Cross my fingers, hope to die, stick a needle in my eye.” He draws an imaginary X over his chest.

When we were young, this is what we would say to each other when we made a promise. Will neglects to remember he always broke his promises.

“Slumber party!” Violet bounces up and down, throws her arm over Will’s shoulder, and draws him in close.

I yank Violet off him and drag her toward the front entrance. Graham follows close behind.

“Vi, I swear to all things holy, if you let them fuck, I’m going to kill you.”

Amanda’s arm links through Will’s as he whispers something to her. Irritated, a loud groan escapes me as I push open the door and step onto the sidewalk.

“What do you want her to do, Ken? Handcuff Amanda to her bed?” Graham whispers behind us.

“I thought I told you not to tell anyone about the handcuffs?” Violet stops in front of me. “Dan’s going to kill me.”

Graham’s loud laughter makes me smirk. “It was a joke, but now that I know our Dan’s into kinky shit, I’ll be sure to make fun of him.” He grinds the knife deeper into Violet’s embarrassment.