Page 42 of Worth the Risk

“I think I need a few minutes. Mind if I sit the next one out?” She looks up at Austin.

“I have to agree with you.” Miguel looks at Mia. “Want to grab some Gatorade from inside?”

“Yes, please.” She tosses her racket to the side, falling in step with him as they make their way toward the entrance of the club.

“You and me against the guys?” Becca points at me.

“She’s on my team,” Austin says before I can respond.

“Looks like it’s me and you again, babe.” Hector and Becca clasp hands, walking over to their side of the court.

“Thanks for speaking for me.”

“You want to give me shit for coming with a friend while you’re all over him?” Austin rolls his eyes, turning his back toward me. I assumed he was joking, attempting to get at me again with an exaggerated comment. “And here I thought that was a line you’d never cross.”

“All over him? Are you kidding me?”

He freezes, his spine going stiff before he turns around. “What the fuck was all that?” He pretends to jump and high-five. “Oh, were my tits about to fly in your face? Oops.”

“Wow,” is all I can say. I open my mouth, ready to tell him to go fuck himself when Becca sends the ball right toward me.

“Got it,” Austin shouts but I’m already jumping in front of him to return it. “The fuck, Tay.” His foot gets caught on the back of mine, his hand on my stomach, my ass in his crotch all in one quick second. “I said I had it.”

I ignore his comments, focusing my attention on winning this game as quick as possible so I can get the hell out of here. I dive in front of him several more times, cutting off his plays and leaving him frustrated and panting.

“Mine!” I rear back with my paddle, ready to score another point with this next return when I feel Austin’s hand smack my ass. I lose my balance, tripping over my own toe before sending myself straight back onto the ground while Austin gracefully saves the play and sends the ball back across the net.

“What the hell?” I scramble to my feet, the game not stopping.

“Are you okay?” Becca shouts at me with a giggle, and I wave back, letting her know I’m fine.

“If you want to play dirty, then so can I,” Austin says without looking at me.

“We’re on the same team, you ass; it’s not playing dirty.” I run toward the net to save a short return. “Got it.”

“Then what the fuck is it, Taylor? Because you’re purposely frustrating me now.”

“You’re one to talk.” I turn around and march toward him, ignoring the fact we’re in the middle of a game. “Why else would you come here with Mia today?” I’m standing so close to him I have to look up to meet his eyes.

A ball whizzes past but neither of us attempt to return it.

“Did it occur to you that it had nothing to do with you? I had no idea you were coming today. She invited me to play with her friends.”

“HERfriends?”

“Hello!” Becca shouts toward us.

“Is that what this is about?” He tilts his head. “You’re jealous she’s friends with your best friend?”

“That has nothing to do with it and you know it.” I jab my finger in his chest.

“Oh, so it’s because you’re jealous she’s here with me?” That grin, the one that always makes me want to kiss him no matter how pissed he’s made me, slides into place. “I was right the first time, then.”

“What the hell, guys?” Hector shouts, clearly annoyed that we’ve stopped the game and are now ignoring both of them.

“Jealous? You think I’m jealous?”

“I do,” he says, moving another inch closer to me. “I think that’s why you keep shoving that tight little ass of yours in my face in that skirt.”

---