Love Goes On

Chapter 13

Ciara's P.O.V.:

"Strike!" Ryan shouted and jumped up and down in excitement.

"Well done!" I cheered. Josh, Dean, Ryan and I formed one team and Brendan, Cian, Dayl and Laurine formed the other. The losers had to buy the winners dinner the following day. My team was way ahead of the other. Thank God. This means pizza till I can't breathe.

"Ciara, it's your turn," Ryan said. I love how he says my name.

"Okay, but don't laugh at me, I suck," I said and grabbed a pink ball. Those are usually the lightest.

I walked to the lane and threw my ball. Oh, wow. Surprise, surprise, it landed in the gutter. I felt two arms around me. "It's alright, babe, I'll help you next time," Ryan's voice said. I smiled at him in appreciation.

"Can I talk to you?" he asked. I nodded and he grabbed my hand, going to a more private area.

"Is everything alright?" I asked, finding it a bit weird that he took me away from everyone.

"Yeah, I guess so," he said and looked around nervously. "I just wanted to tell you that I kind of have massive crush on you. You might think it's weird, because we've only met, like, two days ago, but in those two days I've developed strong feelings for you. I know you have a crush on Dean, but I just wanted to know that I like you," he said and looked down at his feet. Is it that obvious that I like Dean? Oh, shit.

"Ryan listen. And please let me finish," I said, "you may think I'm weird or a slut or a two-timing girl, but here it goes. Yes, I do like Dean," I said and at the point I saw crushed look in his eyes, "but I also like you," I said and bit my lip, not really knowing where to look. Suddenly I felt Ryan's hands cup my cheeks and pressing his lips against mine. I felt my heart flutter and my stomach filling with butterflies. I wrapped my arms around his waist and kissed him back. He pulled away and hugged me tight. I smiled and snuggled into his chest.

"Ow! Stop hitting me!" I heard Dayl scream.

"You deserve it, you punk!" Josh shouted and laughed.

"This doesn't sound good," Ryan chuckled. He grabbed my hand and went back to the others, me following. You know how two 8-year-olds get into a cat fight? Yeah, that's what I saw when I looked at Dayl and Josh. I was just in time to watch Cian throw a strike.

"Yay! Well done!" Laurine shouted and hugged him. I glanced at Brendan and saw him look away. What's happening there? Oh my.

We finished bowling after 45 minutes and decided to have drinks. The lads ordered for us. Aw, how cute is that.

"So, Dayl, Brendan, Cian and Laurine, you have to buy us dinner tomorrow," Dean said and sat back.

"Okay, is everyone up for dinner at Jamie's Italian?" Laurine suggested and she got a couple of cheers and yays.

"Oh, right, and after dinner we're going to hit a karaoke bar," Dayl said. My eyes widened with fear.

"Oh hell no!" I protested. "If any of you think I'm going to sing, I'm not going to. I might not even come," I said.

"Fine, but then you have to pay for your own dinner," Cian grinned. Ah, damn.

"Fine," I gave in, "I want my free dinner," I said and took a sip of my drink.

Suddenly I was dreading tomorrow night. God help me.