I stood up and moved to greet them. "Hey! You guys made it!" I had to yell because the music was so loud. Nate came over too and held out his hand, first to Jen then to Nate.

"This is Nate!" I held onto his elbow, an unconscious warning to Jen but when I realized what I was doing I quickly let him go.

"Hey!" He said to both of them in turn. Kent stood there beside Jen with a smile and shook Nate’s hand, pumping it a couple of times. I watched as both men sized each other up.

"Can I get us a pitcher of beer or something to eat?" Nate asked.

Kent shook his head towards Nate in response to the question. "I'm good, but Jen might want something to drink."

Jen nodded her head. "A pitcher and some nachos."

Kent made a face and shook his head.

I bit back my grin. "And some waters for me and Kent?" I motioned between us and smiled when Kent winked at me.

Nate nodded. "Sure thing! You guys go get your shoes and get ready for a bowling ass-kicking!" He grinned, and headed towards the bar to order.

Jen couldn’t seem to get the grin off her lips as she watched Nate walk away. My fists clenched at my sides.

“Your shoes are waiting!” I forced a smile and pushed them towards the shoe counter. I watched them walk away and blew out a slow breath as I sat down. I was being a little paranoid. Jen was here with Kent. And they were both here to reassure me that my feelings towards Nate were valid. That was it.

They eventually came back and switched out their shoes. I was sitting at the computer, in the process of typing in our names. It was alphabetical, so I was up first.

Nate came back with a plate full of nachos slathered with highly processed plastic cheese and a pitcher of beer. The girl behind the counter followed him out with the waters and extra cups for the beer and set them on the table.

Nate smiled at the food and then came up behind me and smacked me on the butt. "Good luck."

I jumped with a grin. "I don't need it!"

I grabbed my hot pink ball and took my first turn. A strike. I whooped and then cabbage patched my way back to my friends, sitting down across from Nate. "Jen! You're up!" Nate and Kent laughed at my antics.

Jen had antics of her own. She had just taken a nacho and put it in her mouth. She licked the cheese from one of her fingers and took a little too long doing it. She stood up and grabbed her pink ball, a perky smile on her lips.