The game wasn’t hard to learn. Once she memorized which button moved her car forward she was on her way. She didn’t bother to use the brake. They had to circle an irregular track six times. She was behind John and Dottie for a while, but they had to stop for gas. She blew past them.
“Come on, John,” Joann said. “Represent.”
Becca snorted. “Daddy is also the worst when it comes to trash talk. He wants it quiet when he plays.”
John growled. “Then give me quiet!”
“You can do it, Grandma Dot,” Becca said. “Go!”
Dottie laughed and nudged Anna with her elbow. “I am right on your butt, sugar.”
Skylar jumped off the couch behind them. He cheered for Anna, pushing her to win. “Take that curve. Come on, baby. Hit the gas and don’t let up.”
Anna crossed the finish line first.
She leaped to her feet, and Skylar caught her around the middle. He lifted her off the floor as if she’d won the Olympics. Excitement turned to shyness as she realized a sheet of paper couldn’t fit between them. Sexual awareness heated her skin and made it tingle. She had to remind herself they weren’t alone.
Next up, Skylar played against his mom and sister.
As soon as the race started Becca said, “I’ll finish so far ahead of you we’ll have time for coffee and cake before you reach the finish line.”
Skylar laughed, deep and throaty. “The only way you’ll win is if your car sprouts wings.”
Joann snorted. “Kids, I brought you into this world and I can take you out.”
“Watch it,” Dottie said to Becca. “Your brother just lapped you.”
“Did you see me wave when I drove by?” Skylar asked.
Becca scoffed. “My grandma drives faster than you.”
“You got that right,” Dottie said.
Skylar won the game.
After everyone got done laughing and joking and teasing, Anna found out she had to play Skylar. She took the seat next to him and leaned forward, concentrating hard on the screen.
“How about we make this interesting?” Skylar asked.
Anna frowned. “What do you mean?”
“If I win, you have to give me a sexy foot rub for at least fifteen minutes.”
“Exactly what is a sexy foot rub?”
“You’ll see.”
She rolled her eyes. “And if I win?”
“What do you want?”
It only took a second for her to come up with an answer. “If I win, you have to do all my tedious paperwork for an entire day.”
Skylar glanced over his shoulder at his family. “I told you she plays hardball.” To her, he said, “You’ve got yourself a deal.”
They both chose the white car.
The race began, and his car pulled ahead of hers.