Page 28 of Holding You

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“I’m not playing if you two are going to argue,” Miles adds and walks off.

“Anyone want ice cream?” Mr. Asher asks and both kids go running in his direction.

“I’m out, too, then.” Luca moves to sit by Shay.

Ruby is still standing by the net.

“I guess that means we won.” She shrugs. “Sorry, old man.”

Old man.

I’mnotold.

Looks like I’ll just have to prove it.

“No way. One on one.” I say, the words falling off my lips before I can think twice. “That didn’t count.”

“It counted. I won. You didn’t.”

“Rematch. One game. We each get to serve.”

If I had to guess, her eyes are narrowing behind her sunglasses as she stares at me.

“Fine. One game.”

“Ladies first.” I pick up the ball and hand it to her under the net. She grabs it from me.

This will be fun.

I back up, making sure I can easily access all the space on my side.

Ruby, too, gets into position and looks at me.

I nod.

She nods.

Then she spikes it over the net.

I start gently with a bump.

After a couple of volleys, I spike it.

Ruby hits the sand, saving it and returning it to my side.

I spike it again, assuming she can’t stand up fast enough, but I’m wrong.

She’s quick to her feet and blocks it.

I’m quick, too, and I don’t let this one hit the sand.

I send it back to her, she spikes, and I earn a face full of sand as the ball lands right next to me.

Ruby’s cheers are followed by those from the rest of the group.

I didn’t realize we had an audience.

“Now, this is the kind of game I wanted. Please resume.” Miles waves a hand in the air.

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