"Will? Where are we actually going?" I asked once we had just driven passed the bar I had believed we would be heading out to.
"We're going to the Bowling Alley. I thought I had told you, guess I hadn't. Sorry 'bout that."
"Bowling?" I asked a bit shocked.
"It ain't a problem is it?"
"What? No. I just thought we would be having a night out at a bar."
"No each birthday all the boys come out and have a few games. Usually it's just the guys, but I invited Claire as well. Charlie won't be there though."
"So you all gonna be good?" I asked a bit nervous, but I hoped it wouldn't show in my voice.
"You could say that. So you better bring you're A game," Will said chuckling.
"I'm not much of a bowler," I said knowing I should face up to it now, rather then face the embarrassment later on.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean- I've gone bowling like at most twice in my life."
"How is that possible? Where did you hang out when you were a teenager?"
"I played sports, or we went to a small bar when we weren't at school…It was a small town it didn't have much."
"Extremely small," Will said a bit surprised.
"You have know idea," I hated growing up in such a small town, I would have preferred to grow up in a big city like New Orleans where people wouldn't know everything about you, and family matters remained private and not idle town gossip.
"I would say there's more behind that comment then you're letting on."
"So if you don't mind I'll just sit out and watch," I said quickly changing the subject.
"You can be my cheerleader."
"I'm not a 'Rah! Rah! Sis Boom Bah!' kind of girl," I said mocking tone.
"What? Shocking!" he said looking over to me and giving me a goofy grin, and I couldn't help but laugh, and the adorable smirk.
…
Arriving at the bowling alley I immediately saw Claire talking to a few guys I hadn't seen before, or I had seen them briefly at the station but they hadn't really made a stand out impression so I didn't remember them too well. Will took my hand and led my over to the group and introduced me.
"Guys, this is my girlfriend JJ," Will said as we reached the group. Seeing as I hadn't met anyone I got a lot of 'heard a lot about you' and 'it's good to put a name to the face'.
I was glad Claire was there, even though it had been about a month since I had last seen her, she was the only person I knew, well excluding Matt but he didn't really count as I hadn't spent much time with him.
"Well are we going to get this game started or what?" One of the guys Will introduced as Todd asked after the rest of the group arrived.
"I guess so," Will said, and we all walked over to the lanes that had been booked for the get together.
Claire and I sat down in some of the chairs at the back of the lane, she not having intentions to play either.
"So why isn't Charlie here?" I asked.
"He had a family thing out of town, and I have to work so I couldn't go with him."
"I'm glad you're here, I would have felt like a complete outsider if I you weren't."
"I'm usually invited to the get togethers, but since Charlie isn't here I wasn't going to come, but seeing as it's for Will's birthday and you were here, I thought coming out was a good idea, and I'm glad it was."
"So you're not going to play?"
"No I usually just watch. Why aren't you playing?"
"Will wanted me to play, but I don't play."
"So how are things with you and Will?"
"Things are going good. We've officially been in a relationship for about a month, since the night of the party, but I haven't seen him much, with work and travelling we've only seen each other this weekend and last."
"That must be hard."
"I guess that's a way to describe it. But we talk most nights and some days at lunch. We're getting by. I think the worst thing is only getting the weekend, which sometimes can feel short. Like we'll arrive late Friday or early Saturday and have to be left by Sunday night."
"But I guess it makes you cherish the time you have together more."
"It definitely does."
"I got lucky with Charlie."
"Have you set a date for the wedding yet?"
"August next year, gives me plenty of time to plan it perfectly."
Will came over and sat with us, he had just had his shot. "I guess I'm a little rusty," he said and I looked up at the score board to see a seven spare.
"Now I am very happy I'm not playing. Your rusty is my miracle."
"I'm sure you're not that bad."
"No I am… most of my shots are gutter balls."
"How about once everyone leaves, we have an extra game, with the bumpers up. So there will be no gutter balls."
"Okay," I smiled. "But I am warning you, that you'll be shocked at how bad I am."
"Hey Lover Boy it's your turn," one of the guys called for the lane.
Will kissed me quickly on the lips before turning and leaving to take his turn. "Good Luck," I called out, I was meant to be his cheerleader after all.
"You two do make a cute couple," Claire said and I couldn't help but blush.
