Page 123 of Baseball and Shifters

“Okay, that was fun! What next?” I ask as we leave the bumper cars.

After we get off the ferris wheel, we look around, trying to decide what to do next. This day has been amazing.

“What next? I think we hit all the rides, but I wouldn’t be mad if we came back and did the ferris wheel again when the sun sets,” I say.

“I’m sure we can manage that, Emerald.’

“Yeah, this time I get to sit by you,” Liam grumbles, still salty he lost the rock, paper, scissors game.

“Maybe you’ll have better luck with the carnival games, since clearly rock, paper, scissors isn’t your game,” Lucas laughs.

“Shut up. I only lost because-”

“Okay, you two, enough. Time for games. Let me show you how it’s done,” Bas cuts the twins off before their banter can dissolve into more rough housing.

“Love a man who takes control,” I smirk.

“I bet she does,” Dallas whispers to Aubree and Maya.

Bas chuckles, grabbing my hand and pulling me away from Derrick. “Come on, Firefly. I bet I can win any prize you want.” He winks.

Ugh. This man.

“I already have the best prize to come out of Eldergrove Academy,” I respond.

“There’s nothing wrong with second best. Give ‘em a chance,” he chuckles, pulling me to the closest booth.

There’s a wall filled with row after row of balloons, and in front of us is a ledge with darts. The sign says three darts for five dollars.

“Pick out your prize, Firefly. I’ll win it for you.”

“Someone’s cocky,” the man behind the booth laughs, his voice teasing and kind.

“Someone has reason to be,” I say. “You’re lookin at the star first baseman and captain of the Nightclaws. I don’t think throwing a dart is going to be a challenge for him.”

“Damn, Firefly. I like when you defend me like that.” He kisses me hard on the lips before turning to pay the man. Grabbing a dart, he lines up and shoots. The dart flies at an angle popping four balloons with one dart.

Impressive.

The man’s eyes widen and my grin widens.

That’s my tiger. Don’t let anyone underestimate you.

He picks up his next dart, and shoots again. Two more balloons down.

“Last one. How many you think it’ll be, Firefly?”

“I don’t know,” I shrug. “You’re all over the place,” I deadpan.

“Mmmm. True. Not very consistent with my numbers, am I?”

Laughing, I shake my head.

“I’ll have to do better with that,” he says as he picks up his last dart, lines his shot and pops five more balloons.

The man stands, mouth agape, blinking as he takes in all the popped balloons.

“Think we’ll take that giant tiger. What do you think, Firefly?

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