Page 69 of False Start

“Because you’re the only single one here and Madelyn is our guest of honor.”

She didn’t even hesitate. Madelyn strode up to stand next to Braden, pointing at Riley. “My first pick.”

She and Riley high-fived each other as I gaped at her with my jaw on the court, and the guys bent over laughing at my expression.

“That’s just cold,” I said.

“Oh, don’t be a baby. I’ll get you next time,” Madelyn said.

“What if Braden picks me?”

“Holden,” Braden said, and I turned my look of betrayal on him. He just shrugged. “Sorry, man.”

I shook my head, tonguing the inside of my cheek as I crossed my arms over my chest. I pretended to be offended, but really, I couldn’t help but smile as Madelyn stepped fully into her element. And when she called me to be on her team next, I walked slowly over to join her, dropping my voice low enough so no one else could hear.

“Enjoy being the one to call the shots now because that’ll be my role when we get back to the room.”

She stilled, swallowing.

And when she called out Clay’s name, I smiled at how it came out in a squeak.

When the teams were set, we split up on the court, Giana blared EDM music so loud we couldn’t hear each other even if we wanted to — and the game began.

The first few volleys were a mess. Ravey Ball meant you couldn’t hear your teammates calling out if they were going for the ball, which meant we were running into each other and slamming down into the sand more than we were successfully hitting anything. Add in the fact that it was dark other than the flashing ball, and you couldn’t tell you were about to hit someone until it was already too late.

I didn’t mind the few times I ran into Madelyn, our bodies tangling as we rolled down into the sand.

I also found it amusing how pissed Madelyn was getting, especially when we fell behind by two. She painted on her game face, and when Riley served the ball, I knew my girl meant business.

We scored five unanswered points before the serve switched to Braden’s team.

Giana cheered from the sideline, though we couldn’t hear her over the music. Back and forth, we battled it out, playing volleyball in the dark in the same clothes we wore to the party.

The girls didn’t give a fuck they were in dresses. Mary tied her long one up by her hip to stay out of her way while Julep pinned hers together between her legs with a safety pin, creating makeshift shorts.

The guys had all stripped out of their shirts, me included, and half of us had our slacks rolled up to just under our knees. Leo had tied his tie around his head, looking like a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.

When it was 12-14, us, Madelyn huddled us in the middle.

“Alright, this is it,” she screamed over the music. “Watch each other. Be smart. Wave if the ball is yours, and don’t call ones you can’t get. This is our set.”

Riley and Clay nodded in determination. I watched Madelyn with that ache in my chest re-emerging, and when I looked at Mary, she was smirking at me like she knew something I didn’t.

We threw our hands into the middle, launching them into the air on awin!before we all took our places.

It was Clay’s serve, and he launched it perfectly to Leo.

Leo volleyed it to Mary, who hit the ball straight up, right in line for me to spike it. I hit it hard over the net and straight down, but Zeke caught it in time, sending it up into the air again. Their team volleyed it twice, and then it was sent up in front of Holden.

Who was jumping, and ready to spike.

It happened so fast I couldn’t register it, couldn’t block it, and the ball zoomed past me toward the open space of court.

I cursed.

But then there was a blur of movement, and the ball soared high into the air.

Madelyn was sprawled out in the sand for only a second before she popped up again, getting out of the way, and Riley jumped to hit the ball to me next.