Somehow, I've finally managed to get myself dragged to bowling league. I'd been avoiding going with many excuses for a while now. I'm stuck in a crowded suburban bowling alley at the end of the lanes with a group of rambunctious guys, most of whom I remember from the Hawthornes' Christmas party. To make matters worse, we all have matching orange bowling shirts. Mine also has the nickname "The Hammer" emblazoned over the front pocket. It's my turn to bowl and I've got a matching ugly orange ball with my name inscribed on it. I approach the line and throw the ball down the lane without success. Actually, it's pretty ugly, my ball caroms off the hardwood lane and into the gutter. This is why I was avoiding bowling night; I haven't bowled since I was in junior high. The Peeta here might be a league champion but me, I'm at the bottom of the barrel. I'm sure Lily is ten times the bowler I am and I bet even Ollie could at least knock down a pin or two.

"Damn," I mutter as all the guys stare at me, shocked that "The Hammer" is so off his game.

"Jesus, Peeta, this is a league match, for god's sake!" Finnick yells from behind me. I turn around and Finnick and the rest of the guys are looking incredibly pissed off. "Where's your follow through? Where's your stance?"

"I'm doing the best I can," I'm having a hard time not scowling. "I'd like to see you hit a squash ball after seventeen beers," I mutter under my breath, knowing that no one else can hear me.

"You're right. Why am I so competitive? Compensation, I guess. Look, just focus, Peeta. You can still pick up the spare," I guess this is what Finnick considers encouragement.

I nod before going to retrieve my ball. I grab it quickly and walk back up to the lane, ready for my second turn. "You are Peeta Mellark. You're better than this sport. You shot the rapids at Kena. You ran with the bulls at Pamplona. You jumped out of a plane over the Mojave Desert, for Christ's sake. You can do this," I say to myself quietly, genuinely concentrating at throwing this ball down. I put everything I have into this throw, heaving the orange ball down the lane with as much grace and power that I can muster. The ball whooshes down the lane, hitting the six pin and taking out five others around it. "Yeah!" I scream, excitedly, pumping my fist in the air. The guys could care less as I approach.

"Okay, Ian, you're up," Finnick states as a brown haired man stands up.

Somehow, our team still manages to come out on top for the night. A few of the guys are still bowling for fun but I've definitely had my fill of bowling to last a lifetime. After another thirty minute of bowling torture, I'm finally free. I head off to the lounge, now's as good a time as any for another drink. I'm not in a rush to head home so might as well have another crappy domestic beer. As I'm heading toward the lounge, I see a familiar face walking straight towards me.

"Hi Peeta," Delly smiles as she catches up to me, she's wearing a very tight, fitted pink bowling shirt with the top buttons missing.

"Delly, hi."

"I saw you out there. What do you have the flu or something?" She questions, so everyone knows that I suck at bowling.

"Something like that."

"Need a nurse?" Delly winks.

"You're a nurse?"

Delly giggles, "If that's what you want me to be, Peeta."

Delly brushes past me, continuing on to another lane. I watch her for a moment when an incredible thought pops into my head. "Wait a second!"

Delly turns around, still smiling. "Are we...?"

"Are we what, Peeta?"

I gulp, not thinking that real Peeta with his so called perfect life would cheat on his wife. "Is there something going on between us?"

Delly looks absolutely surprised at my directness. After a moment, she walks closer to me. "Are we finally being honest?"

"It would help me if we were."

"Okay, you're right, we've been dancing around this for years," Delly looks flushed and she briefly fans at her overly made up face. "God, my heart is racing. Here goes nothing…When I get dressed for a party and I know you're going to be there…well, lets just say I don't go strapless because my husband likes it." I'm definitely intrigued as she continues talking. "I go to the bakery every week and I don't even eat sugar anymore, I'm on a diet. And our girls just happen to be in the same ballet class every year? So, if you're asking me whether I'd like it to be more, the answer is yes. Abso-fucking-lutely yes Peeta."

"Delly," I say, completely shocked.

"And Katniss and Gale wouldn't ever have to know."

I can't believe that I'm about to do this but for some reason I am so intrigued not to mention the fact that I'm also horny as well. I feel guilty every time Katniss tries to kiss me, I can't sleep with her no matter how much I want too. I can't hurt her like that, I'm not her real husband and I feel as if I would be taking advantage of her. But Delly, I could care less about her marriage to Gale and as a man, I have needs. "Do I have your number?"

Delly grins wide, "Gale's taking the kids skiing in a few days so why don't you just stop by then," Delly turns to leave, leaving me standing alone, watching as she sashays back to her lane, clearly for my benefit. Thank god Gale is deep in conversation with the others on my league. He's always been kind of clueless so I doubt he would notice if his wife was flirting with me.

I finally walk into the lounge; I'm definitely a little dazed. I spot Finnick having a beer at the bar too and sit in an empty stool next to him.

"Hey Peeta, you're all flush. I guess that seventy-one took a lot outta you," Finnick says looking me over and making reference to my crappy bowling score.

"I just saw Delly Hawthorne."

"God, she is relentless."

"She wants to have an affair with me."

Finnick's eyes go wide, "She actually said that?"

I nod, trying to hide my grin. "Pretty much."

"Oh yeah," Finnick says shaking his head, "What is it about you?"

"Do you have her cell phone number or something? I don't think I should call the house and I can't exactly ask Katniss."

"Whoa, whoa! Wait a second, Peeta. You're not actually going to cheat on Katniss?"

"It wouldn't really be cheating," I'm not her real husband but of course Finnick looks doubtful and of course he would, no one but Lily knows that I'm not the real Peeta. "Look, it's complicated Finnick, you just wouldn't understand."

"Look, maybe I'm not as good a consigliere as you are but you have to trust me on this one. A little flirtation's harmless but you're playing with fire here. The Fidelity Bank and Trust is a tough creditor, Peeta. You make a deposit somewhere else, they close your account forever."

"I'm telling you, those rules don't apple to me here, Finnick."

Finnick chuckles "Screw the rules. I'm talking about the choice. Come on, Delly Hawthorne has no class. If she wasn't with Gale, she'd probably be living in a trailer or feeding a ninety year old man pills in his applesauce and waiting for him to croak."

"Hey, is that really necessary?" Delly and her family were my neighbors growing up and she was a decent friend growing up. She may be a little clueless and shallow but I wouldn't call her trash or a gold-digger.

"All I'm saying is there isn't a guy in New Jersey who wouldn't give his left nut to be married to Katniss Mellark. You've said it yourself buddy, Katniss is as close as to perfection as anyone could get," Finnick takes one last swig of his beer and gets up. "I'll see you later, Peeta."

I don't even bother ordering beer and head home too. Finnick has kind of ruined the night for me anyway. It isn't fair, I don't really belong here. Why am I still being punished? Finnick's right though, everyone was jealous of my relationship with Katniss during our high school and college years. We were the golden couple, men wanted her all the time but she never paid another guy even a glance the whole time we were together. And I only had eyes for her…shocking I know.

I make my way home in record time and walk into the quiet house carrying my bowling bag. I quickly drop the bag and my coat in the front closet and make my way to the kitchen. Katniss is sitting at the counter, poring over some legal documents.

"Hi," I acknowledge her on my way to the fridge.

"How was the game, honey?" Katniss asks, not even bothering to look up, eyes fixated on her work.

"Long, boring, and generally pretty sad. Finnick seemed to enjoy it," I open the fridge, I'm on a mission and I know exactly what I want. "Hey, where's that chocolate cake?"

"You mean this chocolate cake?" I don't know how I missed it when I first came in but sitting right next to her legal documents is a huge hunk of chocolate cake. Katniss is grinning and has a bite ready to go into her mouth.

"That's my piece. I was saving it because I got nauseated from that store bought chicken at dinner. "

Katniss takes the bite, a little piece of chocolate frosting sticks to the side of her mouth, "It's good."

"Of course it's good, I made it. Now give me that cake."

Katniss grins taking another a bite, "No way."

I grab for the plate but she holds it out away from me so I that I can't reach it, "Come on, Katniss I've had a bad night."

Katniss shakes her head, "Sorry, Peeta. It's too important to me."

"It's important to me too, Katniss," I try to swipe the plate but Katniss is too quick. She jumps out of her chair and runs out of the kitchen with the cake, giggling loudly. I can't help but laugh at her antics and you know what they say…if you can't beat them, join them. So, I take off after her, chasing her through the family room, dining room and then through the living room. She makes it as far as the stairs when I finally catch up to her. "I want that cake, Katniss Mellark!" I'm able to reach up and grab her shirt, effectively pulling her playfully down on me.

"You want the cake, Peeta?" Katniss laughs, out of breath.

"I want it," I let out, somewhat out of breath from chasing her and laughing.

She looks at me, then takes the whole piece in her hand and smashes it right in my mouth, "Here you go."

"Thank you," I manage to get out between laughing hysterically and not trying to choke on the massive piece of cake in my mouth and all over my face.

"It's good, right?"

I nod and take a clump from my chin and smear it on Katniss' face, "Absolutely delicious."

Katniss takes her small finger and dips it on the mess on her face before quickly putting in her mouth, "Even better the second time around."

"You're so cute," And she is, even covered in chocolate frosting. God, I haven't laughed like this is thirteen years.

"You're not so bad yourself," Katniss smiles.

"Are the kids asleep?" Something's come over me and I just have to this beautiful woman right in front of me. Screw the real Peeta, screw Delly. I just need Katniss and I need her now.

I see a sexy smile from Katniss right before she starts kissing me. It takes only seconds before it starts heating up. Her tongue is tangling with mine and my chocolate covered hands are already scurrying under her shirt.

"Say it, Peeta…" Katniss practically purrs.

"What?" I leave her lips for a moment

"Come on, you know what I like to hear."

"Yeah, baby, I know what you like to hear," I'm panting, so she likes dirty talk, I can get into that no problem.

"Then say it, just say it to me," Katniss continues kissing me.

"Oh yeah, you're a bad girl, baby. You make me so hot, I'm going to take you to that special place," I'm swept up in the moment and I'm hard as hell, it's been way too long.

Katniss pulls away, "What?"

I look at her and can practically see the passion drain from her face, "Not it?" I sigh…damn!

"Nice, Peeta. You're sweeping me off my feet."

"What? You make me hot…" And it's so true, I want Katniss so bad. I've never wanted anyone more than I want her.

Katniss doesn't say anything but instead promptly stands up and heads up the rest of the stairs, disappearing down the hall. I shake my head, frustrated. God, what does she want from me? How the hell am I supposed to know what she wants me to say? Do I need to recite a poem to get into her pants? Ugh, I lean back into the stairs when I feel something licking at my leg. Looking down, I see Buttercup at my feet, wagging her tail, looking up at me with that same dumb, 'I've got to go,' look on her face.

I sigh but force my way off the stairs, Buttercup is right at my feet. I make a quick detour to the downstairs bathroom and wipe off the remains of the chocolate cake. After I'm clean, I grab my coat and Buttercup's leash before opening the front door. "Come on Buttercup, maybe one of us can get a little relief tonight."

As usual Buttercup is the one leading me around the neighborhood. I don't understand why it takes her forever to do her business when she's in such a hurry to leave the house. We're a few blocks away when I see a familiar house. It's the Hawthornes house; I remember it well from the Christmas party even though it is now sans garish Christmas decorations. Upstairs, there is a light on and I see the faint outline of a woman reading by a window. Soon Buttercup is pulling at the leash, leading me away from the Hawthornes house. It's not like I could do anything with Delly anyway, both her and Gale's cars are in the driveway. And after my intimate moment with Katniss, I'm not sure I could betray her. I'm not her real husband but I still want her with every fiber in my being.

Buttercup finally does her business and we head on home. I didn't realize just how cold it was until I'm back in the front door, feeling the radiating heat. I quickly take off Buttercup's leash and she runs off somewhere in the house. I hang up my own coat before venturing into the very quiet house. I slowly make my way into the dining room and head straight to the small bar on the sideboard. There's a big bottle of scotch that has my name on it. I pour myself a big glass and take a long slow slip before walking into the family room. I don't think that I have it in me to face Katniss right now and see the disappointment written all over her face. I think there's a basketball game on and that's as good an excuse as any to stay down here. Glancing around the room, I realize that I've never really noticed all of the many family photographs that grace the mint colored walls. Everyone's expressions are always so happy, like they don't have a care in the world. It must be nice to always be that happy. With another sip of my scotch, I grab the television remote off of the entertainment center. Right next to the remote is a pile of DVDs with titles like "Trip to Yosemite, 2009," and "Oliver's 1st Birthday." I run my fingers along the cases and stop at one marked, "Peeta Singing." I'm definitely intrigued by this one because I definitely do not sing. I have to watch this! I put my drink down and pop the disc into the DVD player. I grab my drink and settle into the comfy couch as a party quickly appears on the big flat screen TV.

It's a party for Katniss' birthday; there are cheesy "Happy Birthday Katniss" decorations along all the walls. I'm not sure whose house we're at but I see a lot of the same crowd from the Hawthornes' Christmas party. The image jerks up and down; surveying the crowd…whoever shot this home video needs a lesson in cinematography. Finally I see Jackson, the obese man from the Christmas party, playing some light cocktail music on the piano. Katniss comes into view too, smiling bright with a group of friends.

"Jesus, Jackson, this thing is an antique. Don't you even have image stabilization?" Finnick questions.

Jackson stops his playing and looks up at Finnick, "Five hundred bucks at Best Buy, Finnick."

Then I come into the frame, a confident smile on my face…Well, other real Peeta I guess, "And everyone knows image stabilization is for the weak." He smiles as Katniss walks into the frame again, easily putting an arm around him.

"So Peeta, it's your wife's birthday, got anything to say to her?" Finnick jokes.

Real Peeta turns to Katniss, "It's your birthday? Today? What's your name? Where were you born?"

"Peeta," Katniss rolls her eyes.

"Wait a minute. You're my wife?" Real Peeta looks shocked but it's clear that he's joking. Katniss slaps him playfully on the arm. "I do have one thing I want to say." Katniss looks at him expectantly and then it happens, Real Peeta starts singing to her, "Oh those fingers in my hair, that sly come hither stare, strips my conscience bare, it's witchcraft…" Just like me, Real Peeta doesn't have the greatest voice in the world but he's not the least bit self-conscious and Katniss seems to like it. There's a twinkle in her grey eyes and more and more of the guests are starting to focus their attention on Peeta and Katniss. I'm slightly embarrassed for the guy but he keeps singing,

"And I've got no defense for it, that heat is too intense for it, what good would common sense for it do." Suddenly Jackson, who is still at the piano, chimes in with the basic chords for "Witchcraft," sounding it out as he goes along.

"…Cause it's witchcraft, wicked witchcraft…and although I know it's strictly taboo…when you rouse the need in me, my heart says yes indeed in me, proceed with what you're leadin' me too." The camera catches the reactions of guests in the crowd; the women are all smiling, wrapped up into the romance of the moment and there's envy on the men's faces as they watch Peeta serenade his wife. Suddenly Peeta throws off his jacket and there are some hoots and hollers from the crowd. Finnick and Johanna whistle as Peeta strolls in front of the gathered guests.

"It's such an ancient pitch, but one that I'd never switch, there aint no nicer with than you," Real Peeta is starting to move gracefully and I'm watching him with a bizarre fascination. Back on the screen, the camera catches Delly Hawthorne watching lovingly as Peeta moves back toward Katniss. Apparently Delly can't take it anymore because she abruptly turns and walks toward the kitchen. I can't believe that she's been wanting me or real Peeta for so long and that's she's so blatant about it. Real Peeta approaches Katniss and she couldn't have a more delighted look on her face.

"Cause it's witchcraft, that koo koo witchcraft…and although I know it's strictly taboo…" The camera pans across the crowd again, even the men are getting into it, focused on Peeta as he sings lovingly, unashamed, to his wife. One of the guys from the bowling league, Ian, I think his name is, mouths the words along with Peeta, almost as if he's studying him, revering him. Maybe I underestimated my alter ego; the real Peeta is almost as charming as me.

"When you rouse the need in me, my heart says yes indeed to me, proceed with what you're leadin' me too," Peeta and Katniss exchange a sexy smile. "It's such an ancient pitch, but one that I'd never switch..." Peeta kisses Katniss on the lips and there is a chorus of hoots and hollers from the crowd.

"Cause there's no nicer witch than you." Katniss brushes a hand across Peeta's face and the crowd is completely in the palm of Peeta's hand, "than you…" There's a little musical flourish from Jackson as the crowd breaks out into huge cheers and applause once again.

"Happy Birthday sweetheart. I love you," Peeta says quietly to Katniss. In turn she leans over, giving him a deep kiss. Ooohs and Ahhhs from the crowd but Peeta and Katniss are in their own little world.

I release a breath that I didn't even know I had been holding in. And a teardrop rolls down my cheek, I can't remember the last time I cried. After watching this, I feel like I've lost something that I didn't even know that I was missing. Even bigger is the realization that I've been so utterly alone in my life until now.

Look I kept my promise, another chapter in less than 24 hours, woo woo! Thanks for all the reviews on the last chapter, I'd love to have just as many on this one. I hope that you were able to follow along with Peeta watching the dvd and real Peeta singing. It was a little hard to right but I wanted to get Peeta's thoughts in there too. I'm sure you were mad at Peeta (and me) this chapter but don't worry, he's about to become less of a douchebag in the next chapter so please stay with me. Thanks for reading and let me know what you think.