The Feel Good Factor(51)

Arden takes her final turn, knocking down all ten pins. Gabe pulls her in for a kiss. “You’re so hot when you bowl your little ass off.”

She wiggles the butt in question and drops a kiss to his cheek. “And you’re so hot when you bowl spares like you did on your last turn. Because I don’t want you to forget I’m still beating you even though you’re on my team.”

He drops his jaw. “Wait. You’re competing against me when we’re playing together?”

“Of course. I’ve amassed sixty-five percent of our points.”

“Woman, don’t make me show you up in Words with Friends later,” Gabe warns.

She cups his cheek. “You’d never do that.”

He tugs her in for a grind-and-bump style of hug. “I absolutely would.”

I mime gagging. “Guys, do you want me to arrest you for indecent display of public affection?”

Arden shrugs happily. “I’m willing to go to jail for that.”

Gabe plants another kiss on her lips. He adds sound effects as he smooches her. Then he dips her.

“Get a room,” Shaw shouts.

“Get it now,” Hunter puts in.

“You’re all just jealous,” Gabe tosses back at the guys.

Derek leans close to my ear. “I’m not jealous. Because I know where your room is.”

I smile at him as tingles race across my skin. This man is a non-stop flirting machine.

“How’s the kissing practice going?” Shaw asks us, as he lifts his bottle of beer, taking a drink.

Hunter jumps in. “Wait. Let me guess. Based on the volume of ass smacks, stupid grins, and giggles between these two tonight, I’m betting it’s going just fine. Am I right?”

It’s no secret that we have a thing going on. It’s never been a secret, because of the kissing contest. But only my girls know there’s something more, and Arden keeps quiet. Vanessa’s not in earshot. She’s manning the bar at the alley tonight and chatting with her sister, Ella, who’s keeping her company. Finley’s there too. She’s a friend of ours from the next town over.

Derek turns to me, his dark eyes twinkling with mischief as he answers Hunter’s question. “Is he right? Or is he so fucking right?” He gives me no time to respond, since he cups my cheeks then brushes his lips against mine. My eyes float closed, and I expect a soft, tender kiss, but it’s hot and passionate, and it might very well send the temperature in the whole damn alley soaring as he claims my mouth.

Arden’s no longer quiet. She’s hooting. Gabe is clapping. My brother and Hunter are now directing their “get a room” shouts at us.

But I don’t care because I’m aching for Derek from one unexpected kiss.

He breaks it but keeps a hand on my arm to steady me. I look into his eyes, and they’re locked on mine. “You’re right. You’re so fucking right,” I murmur.

“And fucking is what I want to be doing very soon.”

I shudder. “Me too.”

I’m ready to grab him and tug him out of here when my brother shouts out like an Olympic judge. “I give you a two. The technique is all wrong.”

I groan and shoot him a dirty look, then a feminine voice cuts in from the bar. It’s Finley. “That was a nine point five. I might even base a kiss in my next show on that,” she says, and I give her a thumbs-up, since I’d love to be the inspiration for a kiss in the TV show she pens.

Vanessa chimes in. “I beg to differ. That kiss was a perfect ten.” She’s heading toward us, one of her swing dresses swishing at her knees. She’s carrying a tray full of beer bottles.

“I’m giving them a ten too,” Arden says as Vanessa sets the tray on the table. Shaw stares at Vanessa the whole time.

What the hell? Does Shaw have laser vision on my friend now? Shaw tips his chin at her and whispers thank you as he grabs a beer.

She smiles back at him as she turns to go. “Need anything else?”

I blink, unsure of what’s going on with my brother and one of my best friends.

“As a matter of fact, I do. Be right back,” Shaw says, but before he can join her, I grab him and tug him a few lanes away.

“Is something up with you and Vanessa?” I whisper.

He scoffs. “Please. You told me years ago if I went near either of your best friends, you’d have my balls in a sling.”

I widen my eyes. “I said that?”

He raises his right hand in an oath. “It was eleventh grade, and you declared both your besties off-limits, then reinforced it with a threat to the boys. I shudder at the memory.”

“I was sixteen. How do you remember that?”

He clutches his crotch. “I take the fate of my balls quite seriously, thank you very much.” He gestures in Vanessa’s direction as she returns to the bar. “I’m simply helping her with her wine and bowling shindig. So there. Cool your jets, little sis.”

I breathe a sigh of relief. “Good. Because you’re kind of a ladies’ man, you know that?”

“Kind of? The ladies love me, and I love them right back. Also, speaking of balls, looks like you’re getting your lady balls off.”

I swat him. “Shaw.”

He waves me off. “I told you it’d work out just fine with the two of you living together. And I was right. You’re perfect roommates. Neither one of you wants anything serious, and you’re both getting along while getting it on.”