I threw. The ball didn’t hit the giant bullseye. It didn’t even hit the backdrop meant to stop the ball. I’m lucky I didn’t break a library window. Maybe the dodgeball coach had a point.
“Darling. Do you need me to fetch your glasses?”
“It’s been a while. I’m just getting warmed up.”
Sue handed me the second ball. “Girl,” she whispered. “You better sink that man. I’m dying to see that chest hair glisten.” Sue let out a soft roar. “Do it for all of us.”
“No pressure,” I mumbled. Checking my grip on the ball, I did a slow practice run. Shifting a little down the line, I pulled back, narrowed my eyes, and chucked it.
Miss. At least this time, I hit the backdrop. Okay, I improved. The next would hit the giant red button at the center, and Tyler would fall with a thunderous splash.
“One more,” Sue said. “Make it count.”
“What?” Tyler teased. “Somebody scared of wet kisses?”
I channeled every baseball pitcher I accidentallywatched funny videos of. Draw back, leg up. I imagined the catch on the other side, his glove raised. I chucked the ball. Not only did I miss, it bounced off the steps to the library, launching itself in the air. Everybody covered their heads, scrambling.
“No!” Sue yelled. “You’ve been banned.”
A blur whipped past my face. It cracked against the red button, a chime sounding seconds before Tyler’s arms flailed. He yelped as he splashed into the tank. He opened his eyes in the water, pressing himself against the clear glass before coming up for air.
Sue and I turned to see Evie.
“East Division Winners three years in a row.” She waved as she walked away from the dunk tank station. “Consider this your repayment for all those missed birthday gifts.”
“Now,that’sa queen.”
I agreed with Sue. I’d thank her later. First, I had a soggy boyfriend who needed a taste of his own medicine. I strut over to the tank, reaching the side as he broke the surface of the water. Throwing his head back, I narrowly dodged a stream of water.
“Not fair!” Tyler wiped the water from his eyes. Meanwhile, I couldn’t stop gawking at his wet chest. Soon as I spotted the dripping water, I remembered our night at the drive-in, drenched as we fucked. I hoped it was the first of many storms we’d braved while naked.
“The Olsens are a package deal.”
He waded to the edge, leaning over. I wiped his face, giving his beard a shake to dry him off. Leaning in for akiss, it only took the touch of his lips before I wanted to confess everything. I could barely contain the news about the calendar, but more than that, the decision to stay. That last one came with a promise of many more kisses to come.
“You pulled it off,” he said. “Or should I be thanking Mabel?”
“Hey! Without me, she’d have never heard Firefly needed fabulous volunteers.” As much as I wanted to take the win, it had been a group effort.
“They’re going to talk about this for years.” He gave my nose a quick peck before resetting the plank. “How are you going to up the stakes next year?”
“Whoa,” I said, holding up my hands. “Let’s survive today. Then we can worry about next year.”
“So thereisa next year?” When Tyler glanced over his shoulder, his lip pulled back in a smirk, and I realized I had walked into a trap. My sexy librarian knew just how much to push without pressuring me.
“Maybe.” He wouldn’t get any more out of me before the big announcement. “I’m glad I could make you wet.” I shot him a wink.
“Technically, your sister did that.”
I shivered at the thought. “Way to ruin an innuendo!”
Tyler jogged in slow motion across the tub. He reached the edge, holding my cheeks as he came in for another kiss. I could have stood there all day if it meant more time studying those lips.
“Ahem.” I turned to see Sue with a line of people. There were kids with eager faces and a man holding his daughter.It took a moment before I recognized Tony. The last time I had seen him, he had been showing off his abundance of goods for the calendar. “Move along. It seems Mr. Bailey has admirers who want to sink him.”
“Who wants to dunk Mr. Bailey?” Sue asked, getting the kids worked up.
“I’ll see you,” I whispered. “Later, I have some big news I need to share.”
