more for us | grayson dolan (book two)

twenty six

My eyes stare up at the blinking neon green sign that says the words Bowl Zone. Grayson parks the car and looks at me with his usual crooked smile. Unbuckling my seatbelt, I get out of the porsche and head toward the entrance.

"I've never been here before." I tell him.

"This used to be the cool spot to hang out during freshman year." He rests his arm on my shoulder before opening the door for us.

"My freshman year wasn't really spent going to bowling alleys with friends." I remind him with a laugh.

Stepping into the building, my eyes glance around the large area. Since it's a Friday night, the place is pretty crowded. Most of the lanes are occupied with happy people trying to bowl a strike.

Grayson and I head up to the man behind the counter and tell him our shoe size. I fill out a form that states the names that will appear on the screen.

Instead of writing our first names, I write out our last names instead. Dolan and Monroe are our nicknames after all, and this is a competition zone. Even though I haven't bowled in years, I still plan on kicking my boyfriend's ass.

"All right, you're set up in lane eight. Enjoy." The man finally says once the ugly bowling shoes are in front of us.

"Thanks man." Grayson nods while swiping them off the counter.

"Shit, this place is packed." I say, looking around at all of the people.

"Looks like somebody is in lane seven. I hope they don't mind our innocent banter." Grayson smirks while looking down at me.

"It won't be so innocent when I kick your ass." I laugh.

"You wish, Monroe." Grayson chuckles while snaking his arm around me to squeeze onto my waist. I let out a squeal and hit onto his chest. Luckily the music in this place is so loud, nobody was able to hear the girly sound that just escaped my lips.

As we approach our lane, my eyes begin to squint. There's a man and a woman sitting down across from our station. It isn't until we finally arrive and the man stands up, that my eyes completely widen in shock.

"Holy shit." The words tumble out of his lips as he stares between Grayson and I. He looks like he just saw a ghost, practically resembling a deer in headlights. Those hazel eyes bore into mine as I take in his appearance head to toe. Light brown hair, tall frame, muscular body.

"Tom." My voice finally speaks.

Grayson seems to also be at a loss of words, because for a few seconds he just stands next to me, not saying anything at all.

"Uh, hey guys." My old fling scratches the back of his neck, clearing his throat in the process. I can't believe Tom Collins is actually standing in front of me after all these years.

"Tim, great to see you man." Sarcasm is filled in Grayson's voice as he walks over to our side of the row, dropping the bowling shoes onto the floor.

"What are you doing here?" He continues to stare directly at me. "I mean, don't you guys live in New York?"

"Love how you know that." Grayson mutters under his breath.

"We're visiting Grayson's parents." I awkwardly explain, taking a seat next to my boyfriend. My eyes latch onto the girl across from me.

"Uh, this is Jessica. My girlfriend." Tom says while motioning toward her.

The familiar auburn hair catches my eye, and I instantly feel a fire burning inside of me. The minute she looks at Grayson, the memories come rushing back.