Page 78 of Not That Into You

“But let’s switch up the teams,” Vanessa says.

Cameron whips his head around. “Uh...”

“That’s a good idea,” Ted adds. “You two are too good together.”

I choke on a laugh as Vanessa narrows her eyes at Ted.

Taking a deep breath, I realize there’s no good way out of this without seeming unsporting or insecure. “Sure, let’s switch teammates.”

Cameron frowns. “But...”

I give him a kiss on the cheek before swatting his butt with my paddle and heading over to swap sides with Vanessa.

“Scared, Stanhope?” I call over my shoulder.

“Not even a little, Matthews.”

Ted serves first, and we rally until he scores a point. I smile and nod at him before he serves again.

“Think you can keep up with me, Matthews?” Cameron asks as he returns my volley.

“Easily,” I say before hitting the ball past him. It lands just inside the baseline, and I grin.

Cameron shrugs. “Lucky shot.”

We rally again, continuing to trash talk each other, before the serve moves to Cameron and Vanessa. After they win their first point, Vanessa squeals in delight while Cameron chuckles. My chest constricts as I watch the two of them smiling at each other. Is this how they looked at dinner last night? Shiny and happy?

Groaning inwardly, I move back to position. Last night doesn’t matter. I refuse to let Camessa get under my skin since Ted and I need to kick their butts.

We return to playing, and Cameron hits a beautiful crosscourt shot, winning another point. Beaming, Vanessa makes a move toward him. To high-five him? Give him a hug? Cop a feel? But either Cameron doesn’t notice or doesn’t care because he turns his back to her and sets up for another serve. Ha!

After Ted returns the serve, Cameron comes up to the non-volley line and hits the ball into the net.

I bat my eyes at him. “Do you want to borrow my glasses?”

I make a show of taking my glasses off and holding them out to him. Even with my blurry vision, I can make out his scowl.

Snickering, I put my glasses back on.

Ted serves, and after a short rally, Cameron nails me in the arm with the ball. I glare at him as his shoulders shake with laughter.

“You’re supposed to hit the ball with your paddle, Matthews, not your body.”

I flip him the middle finger and march back to the baseline.

Ted gives me an amused look. “How long have you two been together?”

“Cameron and me?”

“Yes.”

“A few months.” Give or take.

He raises his brows. “Really? I would have guessed a lot longer.”

I frown. “Why’s that?”

He shrugs. “You both seem so in tune with each other.” He smiles. “And you bicker like an old married couple.”

---