Page 72 of The Vacation Mix-Up
Ben grins, his eyes bouncing to the beat of her chest.
“Throw her the ball,” I grouch.
“I will. Just give me a sec?—”
“Ben!”
“Okay, okay.” He tosses her the ball. “Spoilsport.”
“Just focus. The blonde is finally watching you.”
He freezes. “She is?”
“Yes.”
To be honest, I can’t tell if she is or if she’s simply admiring her own legs.
“Okay,” Brittany says, twiddling her fingers, “here we go. I may be a little rusty though. I haven’t played since high school.”
By the looks of her, I ascertain that wasn’t too long ago.
She tosses up the ball and serves, and before I can position myself to hit it back, all I have time to do is shield my face with my arms before it slams into me.
“Shit!” Riley hisses. “You okay, Riles?”
I keep my arms where they are, embarrassed but also fuming. “Yep.”
“Sorry, Riley!” Brittany squeaks. “I forgot how good my serve is.”
Dropping my arms and offering her the sweetest of salty smiles, I turn my back on her and Riley and emit a low, feral growl.
Ben smirks.
“What?” I snap.
“If only we had some Jell-O.” He waggles his eyebrows, and at my blank expression, he explains, “For Jell-O wrestling.”
“Just serve the damn ball.”
“Sure thing, MJ.” He tosses it into the air and serves to Brittany. She sets it up for Riley, and he spikes it at Ben, who lunges but misses.
“Yes!” Brittany squeals, launching herself onto Riley’s back, her legs wrapping around his waist. “Great shot!” She plants a kiss on the side of his head, then lets go. “We’ve got this.”
He chuckles awkwardly and momentarily makes eye contact with me as if he’s done something wrong.
He hasn’t. He can piggyback whoever he likes.
“Want to serve, love?”
I shake my head.
“Suit yourself.” Ben lobs the ball and serves it to Riley, who returns it but with less vigor, the ball casually sailing toward me. I jump back and set it up for Ben, who slams it toward Riley, but Brittany leaps in front and pops it toward me.
Surging forward, I dive for the ball, but I’m not quick enough to stop it from hitting the water.
Damn it!
“Yes!” she squeals again before draping her arm over Riley’s shoulder. “We make a great team.”
