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Charli got up and moved past Blake and Amelia to pick up a ball. As she positioned herself to throw her first ball, Charli was acutely aware of Blake’s presence behind her. Probably watching her.
At one time, she would have enjoyed knowing his gaze was on her. It would have made her happy to have a hold of his attention.
However, without a relationship to make their situation more comfortable, Charli hurriedly threw her three balls, ending her frame tied with Layla.
As she left the lane approach area, Layla gave her a hug. “Yay, Mom! We got the same score!”
Charli bent to kiss her forehead, then straightened to see Blake had gotten to his feet. She gave him a nod and a quick smile as she passed him on her way to her seat.
After Blake picked up a ball, he tossed it into the air a couple of times as he stared at the pins. Charli had no idea how he’d play this. Would he be competitive and bowl to win? Or would he take it easy and give the rest of them a chance?
Regardless, at least she had an excuse to be watching him.
When he threw his first ball, it absolutely flew toward the pins. Faster than any ball thrown in their lane so far.
The ball hit the pins with a crack. Well, the pin apparently, as only one went flying. There was a moment of silence, and the kids stared at Blake with their mouths open.
“Uncle Blake…” Peyton began, giving him the title that he also gave Jackson and Wade. “You only got one pin with that super fast ball.”
Blake turned to face him, a grin on his face. “Guess I need to do better than that, huh?”
“Still really cool to be able to throw that fast,” Peyton said, his eyes wide.
“Well, let’s see if I can get more than one down this time.” Blake turned to pick up another ball, then lined himself up with the pins again.
Charli leaned back against the thin padding of the seat, watching as Blake threw the ball. It didn’t blaze its way down the lane this time, showing that Blake knew how to control the ball better than she did.
Pins went flying, knocking down all but one. The kids cheered, and even Jay called out encouragement.
No surprise, they ended the first frame with Blake in the lead. Charli thought Amelia would be upset that she was last, but it didn’t seem to bother her at all. She was just excited that it was her turn again.
“Do you want me to help you again?” Blake asked as she picked up a ball.
“Nope. I got it.”
Charli couldn’t help but smile at the little girl’s confident response. Blake didn’t return to his seat, choosing instead to stand back with his arms crossed and his feet braced. He and Amelia presented a dichotomy as he watched her bowl. His strength and size as opposed to hers.
He stood like a sentinel behind Amelia, ready to protect her. Although, from what, Charli wasn’t sure.
Though he held himself with a more military bearing now, even back when they’d been together, she’d always felt safe with him. And he’d been protective of her, too.
It was something she had missed.
After Amelia was done, Blake returned to where he’d been sitting. If Charli needed to be reminded that he had well and truly moved on from her, it was there in the way he didn’t look at her. Didn’t interact with her. Just kept his focus on the kids.
Why did it hurt so much?
It shouldn’t. They’d been broken up for years.
However, their breakup back then—his rejection of her—had happened while they were apart from each other. Now, having him sit so close and yet not say anything to her—to not even acknowledge her—felt like a repeat of the rejection she’d experienced twelve years ago, only up close and personal. Like a slap in the face.
But maybe she only had herself to blame. She hadn’t exactly been welcoming or friendly to him. She could hardly act that way, then expect him to pursue interactions with her.
“It’s your turn, Mom!” Layla called out to her.
Charli looked up to find that Layla had finished her turn. “Thanks, sweetie.”
She hated that she’d let her emotions rob her of the joy of the moment. Getting up, she focused on picking up a ball, then sending it down the lane.
