Page 6 of Deck His Balls

“Worth every penny.” I hold her gaze. “Even if I did just get my ass thoroughly handed to me on the court.”

Her laugh sends warmth through my chest. “Oh please, we both know you were holding back. But maybe I’ll actually teachyou something on our next date. You know, since you won fair and square.”

“Fair and square?” I raise an eyebrow. “That injury looked pretty miraculous.”

“All’s fair in love and basketball, remember?”

The hospital comes into view, and James pulls up to the emergency entrance. Before I can reach for the door, Tricia’s hand lands on my arm. Her touch burns through my sleeve.

“Joel?” Her voice softens. “Thank you. Not just for the bid, but for being there when Trevor showed up. And for today. I haven’t had this much fun on a court in a while.”

“Trust me, the pleasure was all mine.”

“Still. It means a lot.” She bites her lip, and my eyes track the movement. “Maybe we could combine our charity efforts? My camp kids would flip if they got presents from your toy drive.”

My heart kicks against my ribs. “That sounds perfect.” I help her out of the car, my hand finding the small of her back like it belongs there. “But don’t think being nice to me now will save you from a rematch someday.”

Her eyes darken in a way that makes my blood run hot. “Trust me, Jo. You haven’t seen all my moves yet.”

Her smile is wicked as we head into the hospital, and I can’t help but match it. I don’t know what it is about this woman that takes me right back to teenage nerves. But watching her stride ahead of me in those workout leggings, still glowing from our game, I know I’m in serious trouble. The only question now is what to do about these growing feelings before our real date.

Chapter Four

Tricia

The hospital waiting room chairs might be the most uncomfortable things ever created, but I barely notice. My attention keeps drifting to Joel, who’s pacing near the windows while fielding work calls. The way his suit jacket stretches across his shoulders with each turn reminds me of how those same muscles looked during our pickup game last month. Even now, hours after the auction, his twenty-thousand-dollar bid leaves me breathless.

“You’re staring again.” Caress’s whisper breaks through my Joel-induced haze.

“No, I’m not.” The denial comes automatically as I shift in my chair, hyper-aware of Brandon and Derek watching their sister’s door like hawks while Brandon’s wife, Charity, dozes against Brandon’s shoulder.

“Please.” Caress rolls her eyes, bouncing her son who’s fighting sleep. “You haven’t taken your eyes off my brother since you two got here. Just go talk to him.”

“There’s nothing to talk about.”

“Right. Because spending twenty grand to rescue you from Trevor means nothing.” She nudges me with her elbow. “Look,I know my brother. He doesn’t do grand gestures unless they mean something.”

“He was just being nice.”

“Joel doesn’t do ‘nice’ without reason.” Caress shifts closer, lowering her voice. “You know, before Dylan and I got together, I used to make the same excuses. ‘He’s just being friendly’ or ‘He’s my brother’s best friend.’ Want to know where that got me?”

“Married with a baby?”

“Exactly.” She grins. “Sometimes the best things in life are right in front of us, we just need the courage to reach for them.” Her expression softens. “For what it’s worth, I’d love having you as a sister-in-law.”

“Caress!”

“What? I’ve seen how he looks at you during those charity pickup games. Trust me, that’s not just competitive spirit in his eyes.”

Before I can protest further, Joel ends his call and heads our way. My heart kicks into overtime, and I swear the temperature in the room spikes ten degrees.

“Want to take a walk?” he asks, hands sliding into his pockets. The simple gesture shouldn’t be attractive, but somehow it is. “Might help clear our heads.”

“Sure.” The word comes out embarrassingly fast. “But we need to stop by Caress’s car first. These heels are killing me.”

Joel’s laugh does funny things to my insides. “Can’t have my basketball instructor getting blisters. Lead the way.”

The trip to the car provides a welcome distraction from the electricity crackling between us. Five minutes later, my feet finally free in my trusty Jordans, we wander the quiet hospital corridors. The silence between us feels charged, like the moment before a crucial play.

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