Page 60 of One Pucking Surprise
“What’s the game plan, fellas?” I ask, setting the bags down on one of the tables. “Snacks first or sports?”
“Sports!” Jasper shouts, grabbing a soccer ball.
Wyatt shoots me a grin. “You’re in for it now. This kid’s got enough energy to power the whole neighborhood.”
Jasper takes off across the yard with the ball, and Stanley races after him. Wyatt and I follow, kicking the ball back and forth while Jasper weaves between us like a pro.
“Look at that footwork,” I say, laughing as Jasper steals the ball and heads for the makeshift goal. “You training for the big leagues already?”
“Maybe!” Jasper calls over his shoulder, his voice ringing with joy.
Stanley barks, chasing after the ball, and the sight of Jasper playing so freely stirs something in me—something I can’t quite name but can’t ignore either.
After a while, we take a break, dropping into the chairs while Jasper tosses a ball for Stanley. Wyatt cracks open a bottle of Gatorade and tosses one my way.
“How’s it going with Lainey?” he asks, his tone casual but his eyes sharp.
The question catches me off guard, and I nearly choke on my first sip. “What do you mean?”
He leans back, smirking. “I mean, you two seem to be spending a lot of time together. Just wondering how it’s going.”
I glance at Jasper, who’s laughing as Stanley leaps to catch the ball in mid-air. “It’s… going well,” I admit. “She’s actually more fun than I expected. Easy to be around, you know?”
Wyatt raises an eyebrow. “Fun, huh? That’s a strong word coming from you.”
“Don’t start,” I mutter, but I can’t help the small smile that sneaks onto my face.
Wyatt chuckles. “Just saying, man. You look happier.”
I shake my head, trying to brush off his comment. “It’s not like that. It’s still just a fake thing.”
“Sure it is,” Wyatt replies, his voice laced with amusement.
Before I can argue, Jasper barrels over with a football in his hands. “Can we play catch now?”
“You got it, buddy.” I stand, grabbing the ball. “Let’s see if your dad can still keep up.”
Wyatt laughs, shooting me a mock glare. “Oh, I’ll keep up. You better be ready, old man.”
We toss the football around, taking turns throwing passes to Jasper, who’s determined to catch every single one. He’s got talent, too—quick reflexes and a strong throw for his age. Watching him play stirs a strange pang of pride in me, even though he’s not my kid.
“Nice catch!” I call as Jasper dives for the ball, landing in the grass with a triumphant grin.
“Did you see that?” he shouts, holding the ball above his head.
“Sure did. You’re a natural kid.”
We keep playing until the sun starts to dip lower, and Jasper finally plops down on the grass beside Stanley, both of them looking worn out but happy.
Wyatt and I collapse into the chairs again, the quiet settling over us.
“So,” Wyatt says after a moment, “you never really answered my question.”
I glance at him, knowing exactly what he’s talking about. “About Lainey?”
“Yeah.” He nods, cracking open another Gatorade. “This whole fake-dating thing—is it really still fake? Because you seem… different lately.”
I hesitate, trying to find the right words. “It started off as just a simple arrangement. You know, to keep my dad off my back and so she wouldn’t have to show up alone at your wedding. But I didn’t expect to actually… enjoy it.”
