Page 62 of Second-Rate Superstar

Jameson nodded. “Sure.”

Dakota smiled at Amelia, noting she would be the only one left out. “Are you sure you don’t want to play? We can take turns.”

Amelia shook her head. “No, that’s okay. Might be more entertaining to watch this round.”

“Smart girl.” I winked in her direction. “This might get ugly.”

Widening her stance, Dakota challenged, “You’re talking an awfully big game over there.”

Stepping closer, I dropped my voice an octave. “Oh, Firefly, you’re going down.”

Determination glinted in her blue eyes, and I loved seeing her feisty personality come out to play.

Gesturing to the boys, I prompted, “Your choice first,Captain.”

A corner of her lips twitched as she tried to hold back a smile, surveying her options. “I think it’s only fair that if one team has a Slate captain I even up the count. Beau, you’re with me.”

“Good choice.” I nodded my approval. Bouncing Charlie on my hip, I declared, “I choose Charlie girl.” She squealed in my arms, and I ducked my head to blow raspberries into her neck.

Dakota raised an eyebrow. “You think you’re that good? Taking a toddler handicap?”

I shrugged, a smile firmly planted on my face. “Don’t underestimate her. She’s small but mighty, and she’s been playing since she could walk.”

“Interesting,” she mused, pursing her lips. “Bold move, but your arrogance is showing. So, I guess that leaves me no choice but to take the other half of Double Trouble. Knox, get over here.”

Knox let out a whoop, and ran to join his best bud and the girl I was quickly falling for. Who knew she was hiding a competitive streak and the ability to trash talk?

“Jameson, lucky for you, you’re gonna be on the winning team by default.”

Moving to his place at my side, Jameson asked under his breath, “You’re gonna let her win, right?”

Eyes trained on the woman standing across from me, I replied, “Not a chance.” Raising my voice, I said loud enough for her to hear me, “She made her choice.”

Cocking a hip, Dakota was full of sass as she shot back, “Bring it on.”

Entering the mini rink, we dropped to our knees, and Amelia closed the board door behind us, holding the ball in her hand. Dakota and I lined up opposite each other at center “ice” while the rest of our team fell back into position behind us. Amelia counted to three and threw the ball into the rink. Immediately, I tackled Dakota to the ground, smacking the ball in Charlie’s direction and screaming, “Go, Charlie!”

Being a toddler, she was the only one allowed to remain on her feet, and she took off like a bullet with the ball on her stick. Dakota protested beneath me, “Hey! No fair!”

Smirking down at her, I countered, “I don’t remember anything in the rules that prohibits me from taking you out of the game.”

“Score!” Charlie cried.

Huffing when I let her up, Dakota gave me a playful glare. “So, that’s how we’re gonna play it?”

“I play to win, sweetheart.” I threw her a wink.

The next time the ball was tossed into the center, she was ready for me, swiping the ball to Beau before I got to her. Knox hustled to the net forthe pass, and scored. “One to one!” He grinned triumphantly, high-fiving Beau.

The game went back and forth until it was four to four. The next goal would win.

Dakota was red-faced and breathing heavily but wasn’t ready to give up. I had to hand it to her; she wanted the win almost as badly as I did. Almost.

“Throw the ball,” she gritted out to Amelia as she kneeled, poised for a final attack.

Peeking over, I caught my niece biting back a smirk. She was old enough to realize what was going on here. It wouldn’t be long before she dipped her toes into the dating pool, and I bet she’d already had a crush or two.

The count began, and I planned my next move. As soon as the ball flew in the air, I dropped my stick, lowered my shoulder, and threw Dakota over it. Holding on with one arm, I went for the boys next. Dakota beat on my lower back where she could reach, trying to get me to release her, but it was no use. Using my free arm, I wrapped it around Beau’s waist, keeping him immobile. Knox was so stunned that he didn’t see Jameson shooting from behind me, and the game was over.

---