One of Alex’s team members came by and held out a hand to Fin. “Hey, I’m Rick,” he said as Fin shook it. He spoke to Alex. “Jules is coming later so we can play with four. Good with you?”
“Sure, dude. We played well with her last time. If we sync again tonight, we might have our fourth, yeah?”
“Yep. Sounds good. Nice to meet ya,” he directed at Fin as he walked away.
Alex grinned at Fin and asked, “So, how are you holding up? Feeling out of place?”
“No, actually. I am having a lovely time. There’s plenty to watch with all the different matches being played. And your friends are cordial. They talk to me as if I’m one of them.” He smiled at her skeptical look. “Truly, I’m having fun.”
They sat with the group eating, drinking, and laughing until her next match. This time, her team had four players and appeared to do just as well. Fin understood what Scott had been saying about meshing, and the new girl seemed to fit in well with the team.
Alex settled into her seat afterwards and told Fin she was finished with her scheduled games for the evening. They could stay and hang out or leave whenever he got ready. Before he could answer, Alex’s ginger friend called his name from the courts.
“Fin, you up for a match? We’re down a player.”
“Eh, sure…” Fin looked at Alex and whispered, “Scott, right?”
“Yes,” Alex confirmed.
“Sure, Scott,” he responded as he rose from the table. “Although I must tell you I haven’t played in a while.”
“Just like riding a bike, man,” Andy shouted from the sidelines where he sat nursing a twisted ankle.
Fin stretched a bit while Scott filled him in on the rules, emphasizing that a girl must touch the ball at least once during each play.
As they played, Fin relaxed and enjoyed himself. He caught Alex’s eyes a few times during the match and smiled her way. They lost the match, but everyone was happy, and he received several thumps on the back as he made his way to their table.
Alex looked up at him as he sat down and told him, “You were great. You’re very athletic and graceful.” She blushed as she said it, and he wondered if her discomfort came from watching his athletic assets, as it were. He hoped so. He’d hate to think the attraction was only one-way.
They drank more beer and played together in a few pick-up games on the free courts. During one of these, he and Alex both moved toward the ball, colliding during the play. They wound up tangled up on the ground together. He felt a spike of attraction as their bodies brushed against each other. He disentangled himself from her and offered her a hand up, laughing at how much fun he was having. She took his hand and pulled herself up.
“My bad… I should have communicated better,” she chuckled.
“I thoroughly enjoyed your miscommunication,” he quipped with a leer, and moved back to his position. She stood for a second gaping at him as her cheeks turned bright red, then shook her head and got into position for the next play.
After their third pickup game, Alex declared she needed to head home, as she had to work tomorrow. Several boos and hisses went up around their table along with calls of “party pooper,” but she waved them off and reminded them all they were doing this all again in two days.
As Alex and Fin collected their things, someone asked, “Fin, will you be back again?”
He glanced at Alex who seemed interested in his answer as well and responded, “Not sure what my agenda is, but I’ve had a great time so if I can, I will.” Shouts of approval rose around the table and he added, “I wanted to thank everyone here for making me feel so welcome and let you know I had a great time tonight. Cheers!”
The group raised their glasses and said their goodbyes.
“Don’t we need to settle our tab?” he asked Alex as they walked toward the building.
“Nah, I closed out earlier when I went to the ladies’ room,” she assured him as she led him around to the outdoor showers, where they washed the sand off their feet. “Some people only get their feet sandy, but I get it everywhere.” She rolled her eyes at the last statement.
“Well, after the spill we took, I probably have sand everywhere as well.” He grinned.
Once they were back in the car, Fin touched her hand before she put it in gear. Alex looked over at him and waited. “I had a fantastic time tonight. It’s been so long since I’ve spent an evening doing nothing but killing time and having fun. Thank you for that.” He gave her hand a squeeze and let go.
“You’re welcome. Everyone deserves an occasional night of responsibility-free fun,” she responded.
After a much quicker ride home due to less traffic, Alex pulled the car up to the side door at the hotel. As she put the car in neutral and applied the parking brake, Alex said, “I had a good time, too, Fin.”
He leaned over and brushed his lips against hers. “Let’s do it again. I’ll call you tomorrow and we’ll go somewhere classy for dinner. Yes?”
“Okay,” she whispered, absently touching her lips.
