Chapter 24
They went to their ends of the court and started throwing balls around. SRR had four ranch hands, two of Ford’s friends, plus him and Ford.
“Do we have to go easy on them?”
Davie, one of their oldest employees, was in his early fifties and a man who didn’t speak unless he had something to say. He was a lot like Nash, or what he had been. He was a regular open book now, he thought sourly.
“I guess we don’t hurt them, but we win,” Ford said.
“Let’s get moving!” Miss Sarah shrieked.
“That megaphone was her father’s,” Joe said.
“And unfortunately for us, still going strong,” Dylan added. “Go get ’em, baby!” he yelled to his wife.
“Plan to!” She waved back.
“So what… if we beat them, and mess them up a bit, you’re all going to get protective?” Ford asked.
Jack Trainer gave him a pitying look. “Bud, it won’t be them weeping into their sweatpants, trust us.” He jogged onto the other court.
The court they were on was closest to the bleachers. Nash watched Luna shoot a look at the guy with the camera now up to his eye, but her expression never changed.
He moved closer to where she stood.
“Hey, you okay?”
She nodded, her eyes not meeting his.
“What?”
“What?” She looked over his shoulder.
“What aren’t you telling me?”
“Nothing.”
“Something.” He grabbed her wrist as she went to walk away.
“Look, Nash. We slept together twice, but we’re done. Let’s leave it at that.” She was closed off to him. Last night they’d told each other stuff. Stuff he’d told no one and would bet his favorite saddle that she hadn’t either. All that familiarity was gone.
“I’m here if you need me,” he said as she shook off his hand.
“I won’t. I have Charlie, and now Hugo is here.”
He watched her ponytail swish as she moved. How could a simple thing like that turn him on? He found the guy called Hugo. He sat with several of the more senior members of Ryker Falls. Pearl was handing him a bag, which Nash was sure held cookies.
“Nash!” He looked to where Luke stood a few feet away. The man was waving him closer. He jogged over.
“Need some last-minute tips, bud?”
“Ha, no. Cut along the bleachers; I’ll fire one in.”
They both turned to watch the guy with the camera. He’d moved up a few rows and was now alone.
“I can do that. You make that pass count now, Trainer.”
“Plan on it, Winter.”