Page 60 of Neighbors With Benefits

We shared a look, then giggled while exiting the court. The guy and his three friends stood there with their arms crossed, looking unamused.

“Theydefinitelytake Pickleball too seriously,” I whispered.

Bash barked a laugh. “Exactly. Don’t be like those guys.” He held open the door for me so we could return the equipment. “Hey, I have a question to ask. And it’s okay if you say no.”

“Oh?” I asked, feeling my pulse quicken. Was he going to ask me out on a date?

“Aiden doesn’t get back until Monday,” he began.

“Uh huh.” My mind began to race. He was going to ask me out, wasn’t he? Why else would he bring up Aiden?

“We play in a monthly tournament, and it’s on Sunday,” he explained. “I was going to forfeit since I don’t have a partner. But if you want to take his place and join me, that would be cool. Only if you want to.”

I pushed away the disappointment I felt and squinted at Bash. “This is the real reason you invited me to play today, isn’t it?”

“It’s possible,” he said carefully, “that I was hoping you would be a secret Pickleball master who could potentially step in when I need a partner. Is that a yes? The tournament starts at noon.”

“I’m supposed to get brunch with my friend Cat on Sunday,” I said. “But I’ll totally move it and play in the tournament instead.”

“You sure? I don’t want you to have to change plans…”

I waved a hand. “She bails on me all the time. She’ll understand. Besides, now that I’ve gotten a taste of this game, I’m already itching to play again. As long as you don’t get mad if I totally suck in the tournament.”

“It’s just the amateur tournament. Everyone kind of sucks at it, so you’ll fit right in.” A sparkle shone in his eyes. “Hey, want to play again Thursday? To get some more practice in?”

“That was literally what I was about to suggest!”

Bash held up his palm, and we high-fived. “Oh, the other important thing about Pickleball: we always get a celebratory beer afterward.”

“Even if you lose?”

“If we lose, they turn intoconsolationbeers,” he replied. “Either way, beers are required.”

“I like this game even more,” I said.

“I’m glad. I’m also glad you agreed to be my partner Sunday. If you said no, I was totally going to guilt trip you about all the house projects I’ve helped with.”

“I’ll be your partner, no guilt-trip required! I’ll buy the beers, too.”

“You’re already a better partner than Aiden, then,” he grinned.

The two of us laughed and went to the bar.

22

Jazz

“Is it weird that I’m nervous?” I asked as we waited inside the Pickleball building for the matchups to be posted.

“It means you want to win,” Bash replied, patting me gently on the back. “Which is the attitude I want to see today. This is extremely serious.”

“I thought you said the first rule of Pickleball is not to take it too seriously?”

“That was a lie!” he replied, leaning close to whisper in my ear. His breath was warm and stirred my hair. “Of course this is serious. We need to kick all these people’s asses, Jazz!”

“I feel silly trying to be competitive while wearing these clothes,” I replied, gesturing down at myself. With my neon blue booty shorts, neon green sports bra, and neon pink sweatbands, I looked like a 1980s caricature even more than Bash.

“You lookperfect,” Bash insisted. “And it will be even funnier when we beat the teams wearing designer athletic clothes.”

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