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Cory chuckled and ran to where her team was huddled on the court.

The second game was back and forth. When one team would pull ahead the other team would find a little extra and come right back.

Cory was at the net and her team needed this point to take the game. Vi had blocked Cory earlier so she’d been trying to maneuver around Vi’s hands and had won several points in a row. Not this time, Vi vowed.

The ball was set to Cory and she began her approach. Vi zeroed in on the ball and waited until Cory jumped then she leaped after her so she’d be at the top of her jump right after Cory hit the ball. That way when the ball was on top of the net it would rebound off Vi’s hands onto Cory’s side and be a point for them.

Cory rose into the air and instead of smacking the ball with all her might she tipped it over Vi’s outstretched fingers and it fell just behind her for a point, ending the game. What a smart play, Vi thought as she watched Cory celebrate with her team.

Cory smiled at Vi as they once again changed sides.

“Smart play, Cory,” Vi said.

“I couldn’t have you blocking it back in my face again.” She shrugged.

“My mom’s praying for you,” Vi said and walked away. She looked back to see Cory staring at her with the most confused look on her face.

Vi chuckled and shook her head. Cory had no idea how fucking cute she looked in that moment. Maybe I’ll tell her someday, Vi thought.

She noticed Cory and CeCe had several people cheering for them. When she looked on her team’s side she saw the owners of the gym and their spouses. Some were in the middle of the bleaches and others were behind Vi’s bench.

“Are they cheering for us?” she asked Olivia.

“Frankie had better be cheering for us,” Olivia replied. “Sofia is my best friend so she’s on our side. I’m not sure about Stella. She’s married to Sofia, but she does co-own the gym so you would think she’d be neutral.”

“Yeah, but Frankie’s an owner and you’re her wife.”

Olivia smiled. “You know how nice Stella is. She wants everyone to win.”

Vi nodded. “That’s true. Who is that sitting with Desi’s wife?”

“I think that’s CeCe’s girlfriend. She’s a doctor at Erin’s hospital.”

“Desi’s wife owns a hospital?”

“No. She’s the administrator.”

“Oh, I don’t think I knew that. Wow, I bet y’all have such fun when you get together.”

“We do. You should join us sometime.” Olivia’s face lit up. “I know! We’ll have a party when we win this game and the league!”

Vi held her hand up for high five. “Let’s do it!”

The third game was no different from the other two as the teams exchanged points while the crowd cheered from the stands. Vi and Cory exchanged hits and neither of them made any mistakes.

It was Olivia’s turn to serve and if they scored this point, Vi’s team would be ahead by two and the match would be over.

Cory’s side set her up and she pounded the ball down but Vi was able to get a hand on it, popping it into the air. Olivia set the ball back to Vi and it was her turn to attack. She spiked it with all her strength and CeCe got her arm under it, but it sailed just out of Cory’s reach to land on the floor for a point. Vi’s team had won!

Cheers rang around the gym and Vi’s team huddled up with their arms around one another in victory.

They lined up to slap hands and Vi grasped Cory’s and held onto it, pulling her out of the line. “That was the most fun I’ve had playing volleyball in a very long time.”

Cory smiled. “Good game, Violet. Congratulations on the win. But…we play each other one more time. We’ll be ready.”

“I can’t wait,” Vi said.

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