Page 62 of The Pickleball Girl Finds Her Match

Bewildered, Endy gazed out at the group who were falling over each other like adorable kittens in a litter. Who were these people, and where did they come from?

“Okay …” Maria took the clipboard from Endy and crossed off ten names. “So with Sebastian’s friends’ registrations—”

Endy grabbed the clipboard back from Maria. “What are you talking about … Sebastian’s friends?What?”

“Sebastian’s ten friends who signed up for this fundraiser.” Maria held her arms out wide, gesturing to the crowd of attractive players in front of them. “This crew.”

“Wha—”

“I told you that someone named Inez had a group she was bringing. And there were five others who signed up late too.”

“Yeah, but …” Endy hesitated.

“But what?” Maria slapped at Endy’s arm, then pointed to the gorgeous girl with the knotted braids. “That’sInez. And those hot guys, they’re all Sebastian’s friends, too.”

Sebastian himself came walking up, clearly stoked to see this crowd. “Hey, losers!” he called out at the group of five buff and handsome guys crowded next to the five fit and gorgeous girls. Greeting squeals of affection rang out as the group saw Sebastian stride into the tent.

“I can’t believe you’re all here,” exclaimed Sebastian.

“This is so much fun!” Inez rushed up and wrapped Sebastian in a hug. “I’ve been playing, like, all the time at the pickleball center in Santa Monica.”

“You have? Pickleball?” asked Sebastian, his eyebrows raised high.

“Yeah, haven’t you heard that pickleball’s the shit right now?” interrupted a tall, light-haired guy standing next to Inez. He approached Sebastian with a wide smile.

“Wes!” cheered Sebastian. “You’re here! I thought you had a tournament this weekend.”

Wes tapped his pickleball paddle against the heel of his hand. “I do, but coincidentally, my tournament is being held at Indian Wells. I’m just here to check things out before I head over to play. Gotta support you, bro.”

Sebastian closed his fist and tapped knuckles with Wes, then he pulled back and looked Wes head to toe. He grinned. “I still can’t believe you’re a pro.” He lightly slapped the side of Wes’s head. “I guess pickleball will takeanybody.”

“You should talk.” Wes laughed. “You’re the one who invited us all to a pickleball—not tennis—fundraiser.”

Sebastian threw his head back and laughed. “Can you believe it’s not tennis?”

Wes searched the crowd. “Speaking of tennis … doesn’t Sloane have some kids’ thing at this club too?”

“Yeah.” Sebastian pulled Wes away from the pandemonium of their friends. “She came in and set up a pretty big-deal junior tennis academy here.”

Wes lowered his sunglasses and looked over the top. “So where is the girlfriend?”

“Come on, Wes,” sighed Sebastian. “You know Sloane isn’t my girlfriend anymore. I don’t know where she is.”

“But she told everyone that you guys were getting back together,” said Wes.

Sebastian scowled. “We were over a long time ago. We arenotgetting back together.”

“Huh.” Wes slid a glance to Sebastian. “So, would it be okay by you if I ask Sloane to hang out sometime?”

“Oh my god, yeah, of course. Go right ahead. I keep telling you guys that Sloane and I are over and done with,” Sebastian said, throwing his hands in the air. He ducked his head. “Besides … I’m hung up on someone else.”

“Reallllly,” Wes asked with a wolfish grin. “Who is it? Did she play Division I?”

“No, no, not tennis. She’s a pickleball girl,” Sebastian said and shook his head.

Wes’s eyebrows raised high. “Do I know her?”

Sebastian shoved his hands into his pockets and craned his head around to the registration table where Endy stood with Maria. Wes followed Sebastian’s gaze.

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