Kurt

When Kurt’s phone pinged, he looked down to read the new text from his dad.

Burt: R U getting ready for bowlgx tonight?

Burt: *Bowling* 

Kurt smiled fondly. After all these years, his dad still didn’t have the hang of texting. He took a photo of himself and sent it with a message.

Kurt: I’m just about to leave. 

A few moments later, Kurt’s phone pinged again.

Burt: You’re not wearing your x-mas shirt.

Kurt cringed at the thought of wearing the shirt he got for Christmas. It made him look like Charlie Brown, for goodness sake. Instead, he decided to wear his tight-fitting red jeans that slung low on his hip, and a long-sleeved black shirt with a pop of red around the collar. After all, every moment of your life was an opportunity for fashion, and that included bowling. 

Kurt: It’s cold tonight. I’ll wear your Xmas shirt during the summer.

Burt: Okay, but are you wearing the socks? They could be lucky. 🍀

Kurt pulled up the hem of his trousers and took a photo.

Kurt: Lucky socks are on.

Burt: Good! Make sure you ask for Blaine. He’s expecting you. 

Kurt rolled his eyes. Ever since his dad and Carole visited Anderson’s Alley and Arcade, he had been going on about how it would be the perfect place for him to hang out and make new friends. It was also obvious that his dad liked Blaine Anderson, praising his virtues. Blaine had an MBA from Columbia (I looked it up. Columbia is one of the best business schools in the country). Blaine was a small business owner (Just like me. Trust me, he’s not afraid of hard work). Blaine was smart, friendly, gay, and single (Blaine confirmed that he was gay and single, and I noticed that he wasn’t wearing a ring). Kurt shuddered at the thought of how his father managed to discover all this intel from just one hour of bowling.

Kurt: Don’t worry. I’ll ask for Blaine. I don’t even know what he looks like.

Burt: He looks like Montgomery Clift before the accident. Carole thinks he’s very handsome. 

Kurt: Got it.

Burt: Text me later. I wanna know how you got on. 🎳 🥤🍕🎶 

Kurt snorted. When he next saw his dad, they really needed to talk about his excessive use of emojis. 

Fifteen minutes later, Kurt arrived at Anderson’s Alley and Arcade. Boy, his father was right; things had changed since he used to bowl in Lima. There were bright LED lights and video screens above each alley with music playing. The place was packed with people mostly in their 20s. All the alleys were being used, and the bar and eating area were full. Who knew that a bowling place could look so hip and trendy?

After waiting in line for five minutes, he reached the reception desk, where he was welcomed by a woman of color in every sense of the word. 

“Welcome! I’m Unique. Is this your first time here?”

Kurt nodded. “I must stick out like a sore thumb.”  

Unique’s eyes raked over him. “Trust me, I would have remembered you. Are you alone?”

Kurt nodded, feeling a bit awkward. He should have roped a friend to join him. 

“No worries. We have our Slingers night on Thursdays. I can fit you into a lane with other people in about 20-30 minutes. You could have a drink at the bar, and I’ll find you when it’s ready.”

Kurt bit his lower lip. “My dad was here last week and spoke to Blaine, who suggested I come tonight. I was told to ask for him.”

“Oh, Blaine is here tonight. I’ll get him. What’s your name?”

“Kurt Hummel.”

Unique whipped out her phone and sent a text. A few moments later, she looked up again. “Blaine will be here in two shakes.”

Kurt moved to the side so that Unique could help the next customers in line. A couple of minutes later, a gorgeous man joined her behind the counter. He was wearing a charcoal gray sports jacket that looked soft to the touch and a crisp blue shirt with a checked collar. His hair was carefully slicked back, but Kurt could see a few waves along the top. He really did look like Montgomery Clift, before the accident, of course.

The man extended his arm. “My name's Blaine. You must be Kurt.”

Blaine’s sparkling eyes and warm smile made Kurt feel welcomed. When he took hold of Blaine’s hand, Kurt could feel his body practically buzzing. After holding on a few moments longer than socially acceptable, Kurt forced himself to let go.

“I met your parents last week. They told me that you wanted to start bowling again. The photo of you and your dad winning the Big/Little League was adorable.”

Kurt’s face flushed with embarrassment. “My father has absolutely no boundaries. Did he show you my baby photos, too?” Under his breath, he muttered, “Please, God, not the ones in the bathtub.”

Blaine chuckled. “No, but I might have seen the ones taken on Christmas. Anyways, we have all sorts of ways for you to bowl. Based on what your father told me, I thought you might enjoy The Slingers Thursday nights. The bowling sessions are shorter and more casual. Most people want to get out of the house and focus on having fun. If you’re looking for something more competitive, we have bowling leagues at most skill levels.”

Kurt smiled. “I haven’t bowled in ages. It sounds like the Slingers night would be a good start.”

“Let’s get you sorted. I’ve already got you a spot on a lane with some of my friends. What size shoe are you?”

Kurt holds up his bowling bag. “Thanks to my dad, I’ve got my own shoes and a bowling ball. I haven’t paid yet. How much do I owe?”

“Tonight is compliments of the house.” Blaine turned to Unqiue. “I’m going on break for a while. Can you cover for me?”

Unique smirked. “Sure thing, boss. Go have some fun. I’ll get Marley to come to the front desk to help out.”

“Could you please ask her to bring some bottled water and snacks to our alley?”

“I’m on it,” Unique confirmed. 

Blaine led them across the premises, greeting people along the way. It seemed that Blaine knew most of his customers, who were obviously enjoying themselves. Blaine was quick to introduce him, and everyone seemed friendly. They arrived at an alley where three men were getting themselves organized.

A blond man greeted them. “Hey, Blaine, you’re just in time. We’re about to start.”

“Hey, guys. This is Kurt. He’s going to join us tonight. Kurt, these are my friends: Jeff, Nick, and Trent.”

Nick shook Kurt’s hand. “Nice to meet you, man.”

“There are already four of you. I don’t want to crash your game. I’m happy to watch,” Kurt said. 

Trent rubbed his back. “I strained my back on Tuesday so I’m not playing. The doctor said that it’s gonna take a while for it to get better.”

“Serves you right for trying to pick up that dude while you were bowling,” Nick teased.

A smile formed on Trent’s lips. “At least I got his number. We’re going out on Friday night.”

“No way!” Jeff shrieked. “We want a full report next week.”

Kurt sat down to put on his bowling shoes. So, Trent and Blaine were gay. He wondered about the other two.

“Those socks are so cool. Where did you get them?” Jeff asked.

“They were a Christmas present from my dad.”

Jeff jutted out his lower lip. “I wanna pair like that.”

Nick wrapped an arm around Jeff and pulled him close to his side. “I’ll be sure to remember that, honey.”

So, everyone was gay. Kurt was now pretty sure that his dad had mentioned that he was gay to Blaine. He wondered what else his father had said.

A pretty server came over with bottles of water, a pitcher of beer, various Greek dips, and pita wedges. It was definitely a lot healthier than the loaded nachos and sodas his dad used to order back in the day.

Blaine took off his jacket to reveal well-developed biceps peeking from his short-sleeved shirt. Kurt’s eyes moved down to his tiny waist, perfectly fitting jeans cuffed at the ends, and bright red bowling shoes. Blaine certainly was easy on the eyes.

“Blaine, you’re up first,” Trent called out.

Blaine picked up his ball and whipped it down the alley for a strike. He spun around with a smile and a fist pump.

While Blaine bowled his next two turns, Kurt couldn’t keep his eyes off Blaine’s perfectly-formed ass. He had totally forgotten how much bending and twisting was involved in bowling. 

Kurt was relieved that he hadn’t embarrassed himself during the first game. He got a few spares and a strike. When Kurt picked up the ball to play the last frame, Blaine came up to him. 

“Considering you haven’t played in years, you’re a great bowler. If you don’t mind, I have a suggestion.”

“Do tell. I can use all the help I can get.”

“Get into your stance.”

Kurt stood the correct distance from the foul line and held the ball in the middle of his chest. Blaine came up so close behind him that Kurt could feel Blaine’s body heat and smell his cologne. Blaine’s warm breath near his ear gave him goosebumps. 

“A good bowling arm swing is straight back and forth, like a pendulum.” Blaine wrapped his hand around Kurt’s arm. “If the ball is this far inside, you’re forced to move your arm sideways and back around your body for the backswing. This will throw everything out of whack.” Blaine gently pulled his arm so that it was hanging down to his side. “Try holding the ball here so that you can swing straight back and forth.”

“I’ll try it,” Kurt said in a deep breathy voice. 

Kurt had been so distracted by the aftereffects of being so close to Blaine that the next ball went into the gutter, but he redeemed himself by plowing down all the pins on the next throw. As they played the next couple of games, Kurt got the hang of the new stance, and he finished with three consecutive strikes. 

Jeff jumped up excitedly. “You got a turkey!”

Kurt blew on his fingers and rubbed his hand on his chest. “I’m just getting warmed up.” He turned to Blaine. “Thanks for the tip. It really helped.”

Blaine smiled brightly. “You’re welcome.” 

“I’ve got to use the restroom. I’ll be back soon.”

“We’ll wait for you,” Nick said.

Kurt made his way across the alley to the restroom with a lightness he hadn’t felt in a very long time. He was having a lot of fun tonight. He hated to admit it, but his father was right. Blaine was gorgeous, smart, and friendly. Blaine was like the man of his teenage dreams.