Page 33 of Pitcher Perfect
She seemed at a loss for what to do with her hands now that they were still standing close, but not touching, so Robbie wound the fingers of his right hand through her left ones, stroking histhumb along the base of her wrist, gratified to see her pupils dilate slightly. Chemistry. He had that with her, if nothing else.
“Speaking of sleep,” Skylar said, sounding a touch out of breath, “I’m probably not going to get any this week. I’ve shared a bed before, but mostly as a kid at sleepovers or with my teammates at travel tournaments. And never someone your size.”
“Thank you.” He winked down at her. “It is remarkable in size.”
“I’m talking about your overall body size. Not your penis.”
“We’ll have to talk about it eventually, Rocket. It’s on the calendar.”
“We’ll cross the dick bridge when we get to it.”
Robbie coughed a laugh. “Can Dick Bridge be our new team name?”
“No, but weshouldhave a new team name, right? Team Skeeve only makes sense when it’s me and Eve.” Decision visibly made, Skylar’s hold on his hand tightened and she turned, pulling Robbie back in the direction of the firepit.
He dug in his heels. “You’re hot enough without catching on fire, Rocket.”
She shot him a glance, insult loading, but realized at the last second that everyone had ceased their conversations to watch them interact. “Thanks, Redbeard.”
“Redbeard and Rocket,” mused Vivica, elbowing a watchful Doug. “Cute.”
“Is it, though?” Elton tilted his head, obnoxiously. “Is it?”
Skylar pursed her lips. “Maybeyoushould catch on fire, Elt.”
“I’d prefer that over watching you two canoodle.”
“Mom, can we start deducting points every time Elton uses the word ‘canoodle’?”
Elton made a face, but Robbie only noticed it in his periphery,because he was watching Madden. And Madden was watching him back with a frown.
Okay. Looked like they had his attention.
Robbie ignored the sinking sensation in his stomach.
“Speaking of point deductions,” said Doug, commandeering the conversation in a booming manner that reminded Robbie of a radio DJ. “Honey, would you like to remind everyone of the rules of engagement? You do it so eloquently.”
“Thank you, dear. Yes, I would.” Vivica folded her hands at her waist, her gaze sharpening to a point. “No sabotaging whatsoever. I’m looking at you, Elton and Skylar. If anyone is caught tampering with alarm clocks or equipment, both offenders get an automatic DQ. No bribing the Page Stakes committee for a more desirable challenge. They are set in stone and stored in a secure location.”
“They’re taped to the back of the bread machine my mother never uses,” Skylar said out of the side of her mouth.
“Each evening, the following day’s challenge will be left on the refrigerator, beneath my Brown University Alumni magnet.” Doug and Vivica traded a proud look. “And last but not least, no laxatives in anyone’s cereal, Skylar. Remember 2019.”
“He looked a little backed up,” Skylar replied innocently. “I was trying to help.”
“You nearly helped my spleen exit my body.” Elton looked around the group, visibly haunted. “You’re not supposed to use the whole bottle.”
“Oops.”
With a final reproving glance at her children, Vivica produced two laminated sheets, handing one to Elton and the other to Skylar with a flourish. Eager to find out what they’d be up against, Robbie stepped up behind Skylar and scanned the first challenge from over her shoulder.
Challenge One: Blindfolded Blitz
“Don’t worry, I’ll explain it later,” she said for his ears alone. Then louder, “It should be a cinch.” Skylar adopted a casual backward lean against Robbie’s chest. So casual he wondered if she realized she’d done it at all. “We won’t even break a sweat.”
Her brother shrugged, handing the list to Madden, who—goddammit—had to tear his attention off Skylar in order to take it. “Easy peasy.”
Vivica laughed. “Tell yourself whatever helps you sleep at night, but we all remember the ER visit of 2021. You needed seventeen stitches, right, Madden?”
