Page 97 of The Plus One Contract

Jeremy rolls his eyes before gesturing to me. “Let’s do this.”

I step up to the makeshift boundary line. My heart pounds, but it has little to do with the game. She’s over there, a goddess in a bikini. How the hell am I supposed to concentrate on anything else?

Fuck it.

I toss the ball up, snap my wrist, and send a decent serve over the net.

The game is on.

Tim, who might look like a dad who’s just discovered texting emojis, transforms into a force on the sand. He leaps for a spike, grinning like a kid, while Jeremy dives for every save and cackles when Daniel sets up a brutal shot. The beachside audience provides a backdrop of laughter and cheers.

An aunt hollers, “Strategy, Tim, strategy!” and an older cousin jots down the score on a notepad.

Sienna watches from her lounger, smiling with her arms folded over her bikini top. I can practically feel her gaze scorching my back.

We rally several times. Jeremy sets the ball, Daniel spikes. I lunge, passing it off to Tim, who smacks it back over the net. The crowd erupts with each near miss and narrow lead.

Finally, Tim shouts, “That’s what I’m talking about!” as he slaps my back. “Keep it up, Nathan!”

Daniel sets the ball again, his brow furrowing as he meets my eyes.

“Not bad,” he says in a voice that’s as much a challenge as a compliment.

We serve again, and I scramble to make a save, half-eating sand in the process. The crowd’s cheers swell as I barely manage it. One last shot glances off Daniel’s arm, sealing the victory for that round.

We pause for a water break, the afternoon sun beating off my back. Tim throws the ball at Daniel’s chest. “Another game?”

Daniel bounces the ball with a half-smile. “Let’s mix it up.”

A fresh voice pipes up. It’s Grace, emerging from a quick dip in the surf. With a beach wrap draped casually around her hips and a glow that only a bride-to-be can muster, she proposes, “What if we do Bride’s team vs. Groom’s team? Tradition, right? Bride’s side battles Groom’s side.”

Tim snorts. “All right, but if I’m on the groom’s side, that means Jeremy’s with me. Unless Jeremy’s with the bride? Wait, Sienna, get over here!” he yells, beckoning her.

Sienna, holding a fruit punch on her lounger, stands with an expression of incredulity. “Why am I being summoned? I’m not the bride.”

Grace sidles up and hooks an arm through Sienna’s. “But you’re practically my sister now, so you’re on my team.”

Jeremy crosses his arms. “Hey, she’s actually my sister. Why isn’t she on my team?”

“She’s about to be my sister-in-law, so that trumps your sibling claim. Plus, I need her near me. We’re doing a boys vs. girls spin.” She calls for Lauren and another member of her bridal team.

Sienna shrugs. “Sorry, Jer. Team Grace from now on.”

Behind me, Daniel tosses the ball between his hands. “Alright, so the bride’s side is the ladies, groom’s side is the men. That means me, Jeremy, Tim—” He glances at me, voice tight. “And presumably you, Nathan?”

My name on his lips carries a note of challenge, but this feels like a family affair.

Just as I’m considering standing on the sidelines, Jeremy grabs my arm, panic etched on his face. “Wait, you’re not bailing, are you? If Sienna’s playing, we need you, man.”

I blink. “Need me? Why?”

He huffs, glancing at Sienna as she picks up a second volleyball and starts spinning it in her fingers.

“Because Sienna is savage,” Jeremy says. “You have no idea. We need extra protection.”

My gaze flicks back to her.

She cocks her hip. “Hope you brought your A-game, Calloway,” she teases loud enough for everyone to hear. “You’ve been playing amateurs up until now.”

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