Page 49 of The Backup Groom

Now, I was quoting Harry Styles songs.

It was much worse than I thought.

Just then, the ball rocketed over the net toward me and smacked me in the crotch.

“Son of a biscuit!” I said, grimacing and bending over.

Deep breaths. Deep breaths.

Amber winced. “Are you okay?” She seemed to be genuinely worried.

I held up my hand and gave her a thumbs-up, forcing a smile like getting pummeled in the privates was one of my favorite hobbies. “Oh, yeah. Just peachy.”

I walked off the pain, head down, doing small circles to catch my breath, most likely looking like a dog searching for the perfect spot to pee.

Amber called out the score again. “That’s thirty-love!”

“Thanks,love!” I said, surprised I still had a sense of humor considering my family jewels had been relocated to a new location somewhere near my small intestine.

She was practically doubled over with mirth. “This is fun.”

The sweet sound of her laughter had the adverse effect of making the butterflies come back, only now they felt more like small birds. She seemed to enjoy my corniness, though, which was a good sign. I wanted her to stop messing around, so I could concentrate on tennis, but I also wanted her to continue because I loved her fun, playful side.

Amber bounced the ball a few times, then served it once again over the net with speed and precision, landing inside the line on my side of the court. I lunged to my right, barely able to get my racket on it, but could return it back over the net. Confidently, she hit a solid backhand right back that forced me to sprint with everything I had. Luckily, I could smack it past her for a winner, getting my first point of the match. I felt some confidence after that shot. If only she kept that beautiful mouth of hers shut for the rest of the game.

“Wow, the man has got some speed—very nice.” Amber gave my legs a once-over. “And by the way, you should wear shorts more often, show off those muscular legs.” She pumped her brows to show her approval. “I have to say they’re a little distracting, though.”

“I’mdistractingyou?” I said.

“Oh, absolutely.” Amber’s slow perusal of my body caused the hair on the back of my neck to rise. If I didn’t control my thoughts quickly, other body parts would follow suit.

She lifted the racket over her head with both hands to do a brief stretch, her teal top rising in the process to expose her midsection.

Mamma Mia.

If that wasn’t a flirt, I don’t know what was.

Seriously, she was killing me and I couldn’t think straight.

“Knock it off,” I said, shaking my head.

“What?” Amber shrugged. “I’m playing tennis.”

“More like playing games with my head,” I muttered.

“What was that?” she said.

I shook my head like I’d just had my bell rung. “Nothing.”

She couldn’t be doing that to me innocently.

I was in serious trouble here

After she handed me my ass in the first set, we switched sides and I got ready to serve. I paced back and forth, trying to gain my bearings.

I picked up a ball and slid it into my pocket.

Focus. Get your head in the game.