“You don’t have enough money for that,” Piper said. “You’re one of us now. Suck it up, bud.”
One of us.That shouldn’t sound as good as it did.
He went back on and tried to stay away from Luna. He was sweating and hot, and some of that was from exercise, and some from watching her. She was loving every minute of this. Her smile was huge and real. She laughed, teased, and cursed when she thought it was required. Just one of the girls, he thought.
The makeup under her eyes was smeared, hair and clothes sticking to her; he’d never seen a sexier woman. When the whistle went to say the game was over, he had to say he was relieved. Being this close to her and not touching her was playing hell with his usual calm.
His team won by a single basket.
“We’ll have a rematch,” Piper said.
“You cheated,” Rory growled.
Luna just shook his hand and walked away.
The SRR boys ate and drank, and then took to the court again. Same court for him, with the Ryker Boys joining them. The girls were playing the Pilker Peasants. Next week they’d go again, swapping the teams.
“You set Pearl on that shithead.” Joe nodded to where the photographer was. Nicks had relocated himself between the courts, away from the women who’d surrounded him.
“Not sure what you’re getting at, Trainer.”
Joe’s mouth twitched.
“I’m looking forward to kicking your asses and taking the two wins into next week,” Jack said, still wearing his dark glasses.
Alcohol is leaching from your pores.” Joe stepped back and away from his brother. “You stink.”
“I feel better, weirdly. Maybe you’re right,” Jack said. “I’m sweating it out.”
“We need to deal with that guy. He obviously didn’t understand your threat,” Joe said, nodding to Simon Nicks. His shirt was wet with sweat and stuck to him.
“We’re going to beat you guys and mess with Simon Nicks,” Nash said.
“Who?” Ford asked.
“The guy with the camera,” Dylan drawled.
Ford found him. “Paparazzi guy. Right on, let’s get him.”
The game started, and Nash made himself focus on what he needed to do and not Luna, who had that asshole taking pictures of her.
“You gotta wonder what he’s doing here. I mean, her playing basketball is no big deal and good for her brand,” Fin said, standing beside Nash. “I don’t get it.”
“My guess is he’s just doing it to annoy her, seeing as they have history,” Nash said.
“Asshole,” Fin said.
The game started, and the physicality stepped up a notch. The Ryker boys played hard and mean and didn’t care who they sent to the floor while doing it. The SRR boys were no different.
“Foul!”
“Aww, come on, Dad!” Dylan roared at his father. “He deserved it.”
“I have to try to keep some sort of order,” Mr. Howard said, waving his whistle. “And you’re my son, you should set an example.”
Luke took Nash’s elbow to the lip, and blood followed.
“Sorry about that. Seems your pretty looks may be gone forever.”