Page 79 of Just a Plot Twist
And truth be told, I’m not. I’m wearing a new brace, and I’m not ready to play pickleball or basketball or run around the half-size football field Alec and his team put together. He’s an assistant football coach for the high school and had his players do some volunteer work getting the resort field ready this spring.
And I’m glad it’s only Alec and Oakley up here with us. I’m not ready to be on full display for the whole family just yet—for them to analyze exactly what’s going on between Benson and me.
It’s mixed doubles in pickleball, with Alec and Indie on one team and Oakley and Dax on the other. Benson, Cinnamon, and I sit at one of the covered tables. I’m holding Cinnamon’s leash, but we’re in no danger of her going anywhere. She’s out of breath, her tongue hanging out, after the short walk up the hill.
“Sorry about my gimp leg,” I offer. “If you want to sub in the game, I’m fine to hang out here with Cinnamon.”
“I want to be here with you.” He gazes at his kids. “I’ll join them eventually. Gotta show the kids who’s boss, you know?” Benson winces as Oakley misses an easy lob from Indie and Indie raises her fists in the air in triumph. “Alec and Oakley are going easy on them, though.”
“Well, they’re the new-ish aunt and uncle. It’s sweet.”
“Which is exactly why I need to follow it up with a reality check.” He sighs. “I don’t believe in letting kids win all the time. They have to earn it.”
“This is a whole other side of you I’ve never seen.” I sit back and fold my arms, intrigued.
He chuckles and shakes his head. “I mean, not when they’re super little. But when they’re old enough to play for real, if you let them win, it’s like letting a dog win tug of war. You’re setting yourself up for major pain and anguish in the future. Kids can feel entitled, so you gotta keep ’em humble.”
“I can respect that.”
Benson’s eyes light up. “So when they do finally beat me, it’ll be satisfying for them.”
“But you won’t feel good about it, Benson. You don’t like to lose.”
“What makes you think that?” He scoffs.
“I just know.”
“How?”
My lips twitch. “Because you’re quietly driven. And those are always the ones who hate to lose the most.” I lean to him and tap his chest. “It’s simmering under the surface, but it’s there.”
“Oh, there are things simmering under the surface, but it’s something else entirely.” Now his gaze is boring into me, and he won’t look away, a slow smile gracing his lips.
He’s right. Simmering is an understatement. We’re in a full-on rolling boil of feelings around here.
Finally, I tear my gaze away and look back at the pickleballers. “I finished my application. The council has already set up aninterview.“
“I was just about to ask you about it. Well done.” He appraises me, his gaze showing his approval. I lap it up like Cinnamon chugging up water at the bathtub faucet.
He asks me about the interview, about what I’ll say if they ask this or that. Finally, I’m getting antsy. The more I talk about the job, the more I want it.
“So, it’s gonna be you against both the kids?” I sip on my fruity drink.
Benson’s lips twitch. “Sometimes we do it that way. And full transparency? I won’t be able to beat them both for too much longer. One-on-one? I’ve still got it in the bag for a few more years. But two-on-one? It’s a slippery slope and we’re getting closer to that moment.”
He grimaces, which makes me smile.
“Maybe the time is now,” I point out and laugh as Dax and Indie get a nice volley going, both Oakley’s and Alec’s mouths wide.
“Impressive!” Oakley says, right before Indie drops Dax’s lob.
“You threw me off!” Indie says, then bends her knees and shifts side to side, her racket raised and in position.
“Okay, she’s hard core,” I say with a laugh. “Maybe you should put her in tennis.”
“If she’s still interested next year, I’ll look into it.” His gaze goes to the table. “Hey. I had a good time last night. I appreciate your help with the kids.”
“It was a blast. They’re really good kids.”
