Chapter 05.4

By the time Paul and I made it down, Aaron and Daryl were already sitting under three grouped umbrellas with Jessica. Diane, Mayoko, and Brian were in the water.

“Aaron,” Jessica’s voice rang out just as we arrived, ”why don’t you go kiss Daryl instead?”

The guys burst out laughing.

“What happened?” Jenny asked as she and Susy appeared behind us.

“I agreed with Daryl, not Jess,” Aaron shrugged.

“What’s the topic?” I asked.

“What kind of car we saw the other day,” Aaron replied.

“Very important topic,” Jenny sighed. ”Jess, let’s go in the water.” Jessica, clearly annoyed, followed her, and the two of them started talking quietly.

“This is what I was talking about,” Aaron muttered.

“Don’t worry about it,” I said. ”She’ll grow out of it.”

“He’s right,” Daryl added. ”At least she’s trying.”

“At least she’s not jumping around right in front of you,” I muttered as Jenny leapt for the ball. I tried not to stare. Daryl just patted my shoulder.

We followed the girls into the water, where they were already laughing and tossing the ball around.

“We’ve decided to challenge you, pretty boy,” Jenny grinned.

“In a water sport?” Paul asked. “Princess, have you really thought this through?”

“Wait,” Mayoko interrupted. “It’s not a water sport—it’s a ball game.”

“But we’ve made some changes,” Diane announced.

“We’re listening, darling,” Daryl said.

“Mixed pairs, but not with your own partner. Everyone plays with everyone. If the ball drops three times on your side, you’re out. Those not playing mark the boundaries.”

“What do the winners get?” I asked.

This challenge clearly meant Jenny was doing everything she could to keep her distance.

“Same as last time,” Jenny said. ”The losers buy any food the winners want from the beach.”

“So the winners get four meals?” Aaron asked.

“Exactly,” Mayoko nodded. ”And the losers buy four.”

“What do you say?” Jenny asked. ”You in? Paul, does that work for you guys?”

“Can we both go for the ball?” Paul asked.

“Of course. Either player in the pair can go for it.”

“We’re in,” Aaron nodded. Everyone else agreed with a nod too.

We marked out the playing area. Two pairs stood at the edges to mark the boundaries, and one pair acted as referees. Jenny was paired with Paul, Jessica with me, Susy with Aaron, Diane with Brian, and Mayoko with Daryl.

“We’ll keep score,” Paul said, as usual.

Jessica and I were up first—and thanks to her height advantage over Jenny, we won the round.

“Sorry, Paul,” Jenny said. ”I’m not very good at this.”

“Or very tall,” Paul laughed. ”No worries.”

I was quietly watching my ex when someone—braver than most—nailed me in the head with a ball.

“Dude,” Brian called out. He was the only one bold enough. ”You’re supposed to be marking the edge.”

“I am,” I said. ”Aren’t I standing right here?”

“You’re hopeless, Jay,” he laughed.

Paul and Jenny went up against Aaron and Susy next. Jenny was taller than Susy and a bit more skilled, so it was a quick match—Paul’s team won.

Brian and Diane beat everyone. Jessica and I came in second. Paul and Jenny ended up last, while Daryl and Aaron tied in the middle.

“My man,” Brian grinned at me, ”I can’t wait to see what you pick.”

“So, I’m paying for lunch today,” Paul said. Jenny looked like she wanted to protest, but Paul just shook his head.

We went to eat, but no one took advantage of their win to order anything expensive.

“So, ladies,” I said at the table, ”we want a rematch—for the waterskiing.”

Jenny and Susy exchanged a knowing smile.

“What do you have in mind, pretty boy?” Susy asked, mimicking Jenny’s tone. We all burst out laughing.

“Jet ski race,” Paul suggested.

“And what do you want if you win?” Jenny asked.

“A full day in the forest,” I grinned.

“Jay,” Susy said with a smile, ”don’t you think that’s a bit wild?”

“Little girl,” I said, playing along, ”then you ask for something wild too.”

“Shopping,” Diane shouted. ”A full day of it.”

“That’s not enough,” Jenny added. ”Beauty salon and shopping—crammed into one day.” We groaned in unison.

“Jay,” Aaron said, ”that’s brutal.”

“You’re telling me,” I grinned. ”What do you think, guys? Are we in?”

“Jay,” Susy said again in Jenny’s tone, looking up from her food, ”don’t tell me you’re scared. We thought you were the men here.” Loud laughter followed.