Page 48 of Jesse's Girl
“Wait… what?” Rolando mumbles and peers at the screen before whirling back to Rupi. “Ballsack? What the f…”—his eyes jump to me as he catches himself—“what the hell?”
The girls bust up with laughter.
I’m suddenly grateful for “Man Bun”.
I bowl an unremarkable frame and return to the seats at the scorekeeping console. As I slide into the plastic chair, Ada flops down beside me on the other side. Her sweet scent once again drifts across the small space between our shoulders, and a magnetic hum buzzes under the sleeve of my T-shirt, enticing me to lean closer. I scratch at the skin, trying to shut it down.
I can’t help but look at her. She’s wearing a white tank top that makes her turquoise hair seem more vivid than usual. For the first time, I examine the tattoo covering most of her shoulder: a classic pinup girl with bright red lips and a matching bathing suit.
She turns, catching me staring. “What?”
“Nothing,” I say too quickly—then clear my throat. “I was just wondering when you got that tattoo.”
“Oh.” Her gaze falls to her shoulder. “Few years ago.”
“Any significance, or…?”
She shrugs. “I’ve just always liked them… pinup girls, I mean.” She places her hand down next to her on the plastic seat and her pinky accidentally brushes against mine.
I pull my hand away and we share an awkward glance. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. They’re classy and sexy. Powerful and still feminine.” She looks away, her next words muttered, almost to herself. “Wish I could pull that off.”
“I don’t—” I start but stop myself the moment I realize what I’m about to say.
“You don’t what?” she asks, turning to face me.
“Nothing.”
“No, don’t give me that nothing shit,” she says softly, then lifts her chin at me, a slight curl to her lips. “What were you gonna say?”
“I was just gonna say…” Wracking my brain, I can’t think of a single convincing lie, so the truth tumbles out instead. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about. You are. You’re… pulling it off.”
Realization settles in her expression and her lips part.
I can’t look away, though I’m already kicking myself. I’ve essentially told Marcus’ little sister I think she’s hot. Great.
She breaks eye contact and turns to the scoreboard on the screen in front of her. An arrow flashes near the name “BigBallz” and she glances over her shoulder.
Following her gaze, I watch a skinny kid with a buzz cut step up to bowl.
She turns back to me, her voice quiet. “I actually went as a pinup girl one Halloween a while back.”
“Really?” My imagination wastes no time in serving up images of Ada wearing nothing but that skimpy red bathing suit and a sexy pout. I shift in my seat.
“Yeah. I guess I did kinda rock that costume.” She nods as if revisiting some private memory.
I fucking bet she did.
“Wish I could’ve seen that.” I immediately regret the words.
Who is the horny gremlin in charge of my mouth tonight, and why is he drunk at the wheel?
“Yeah?” Ada’s voice cuts through my self-recrimination. “I mean… I probably have pictures.”
“Uh, you don’t need to—” I start, but she’s already got her phone out.
“Hey, Man Bun! You’re up,” Rolando says, nudging my arm with a smirk as he heads back to his seat.