Slate starts to stand, and Quint immediately backs down. “Dodgeball and then tag. Perfect.”
I laugh and catch Reid’s smirk out of the corner of my eye. We all pitch in to pick up lunch and then head outside. I can’t help but laugh when I see there’s already a big circle spray painted on the field and several bright, colorful balls in the middle of the huge circle. “You were really planning this,” Quint says what we’re all thinking.
“Yes,” Tessa says. “And you can thank Slate for this amazing circle.”
“He’s a man with hidden talents,” Zane says dryly. Slate doesn’t even bother responding.
“All right. Here’s how it works,” Tessa explains. “Everybody has to stand outside the circle to start. When Slate gives the signal, everybody runs to the middle to get a ball. After the whistle, if you step outside the circle, you’re out. If you get hit, you’re out. If you catch someone’s ball from the air, they’re out. Everybody got it?”
“What are the teams?” I ask.
“Zane, Evie, and Quint versus the rest of us,” she says. I nod, liking the fact we have an extra player. “All right. Everybody outside the circle.”
“Guys, watch the throws at the girls. Don’t use full force,” Zane says.
Quint grins. “But you didn’t say we couldn’t with each other.”
I stand next to Reid outside the circle and look up at him. He’s already eyeing the balls in the middle, and I can’t help my grin. This is going to be fun. Slate whistles, and then it’s all-out war.
Chapter 40
Riley
Dodgeball was insane; the guys were brutal in their attacks on each other. I’m actually surprised none of them have broken bones. After we finally finish, it’s time for freeze tag. By some crazy bad luck, I get to be the first tagger. I have no problem getting Tessa and Evie, but their mates keep freeing them every time they’re tagged. I manage to get my brother, but Reid, Slate, and Quint are too fast. I’m going to get them, though; I won’t stop until I do. I take a heaving breath and wipe the sweat from my brow and watch my three targets, all who are eyeing me with various levels of humor. Quint is full-on grinning, and I decide he’s next. I’m not fast enough when they use moves on me, but I’m fast on a flat-out run. I need to get him on a straight run. I kind of go after Reid and Slate, but I’m keeping my eye out for an opening. I get one when Quint stops to talk to Zane. I sprint after Quint as fast as I can. He sees me coming and takes off, but I have momentum on my side. I reach him and tag him. “Aw come on, Riley!”
I move away from him. I know he’ll be free soon, but at least I know I got him. I set my sights on Slate next. He’s really fast, and I need to figure out how to get him. Tessa waves at me and gives me a head nod towards Slate. I’m not exactly sure what she’s got in mind, but I need all the help I can get. She walks over to him and puts her hand on his chest. He stares down at her, totally distracted. I sprint towards him as fast as I can. He sees me coming and turns and takes off, but I’m close. I push harder and manage to just catch the edge of his shirt. “Got you!” I shout.I lean over to catch my breath, but even as I do, I track the only one I haven’t tagged yet. Reid sees me sizing him up and grins. He’s kept his distance. Every time I get close, he immediately puts space between us. But now, it’s my time to tag him. His mile-long legs make him impossible to catch, but I vow to. He will not keep me from a perfect record. The others cheer for me as I take my mate on. I try a few different times to get him but can’t manage to touch him. I catch my breath a moment, trying to decide what to do to get him. Then I decide to just go for it. I am going to chase him until I catch him or die trying. I take off after him, and he waits for me to get close before he takes off. I push myself and run as fast as I can, but I just can’t catch him. I feel my wolf push to the surface, and I grin. I pull from her speed, and suddenly, it’s like I’m flying. It doesn’t even feel like my feet touch the ground. I pour on the speed and reach out and tag him. “Got you!” I shout in triumph. He whirls around, surprising me, and I run right into him. He catches me in his strong arms and grins down at me. “I caught you,” I tell him breathlessly.
“So, you did.” He leans forward and kisses me.But now, I caught you. What are you going to do about it?
I waste no time climbing him like a monkey and wrapping my legs around his waist. I plaster my lips to his, and he growls deep in his chest and holds me tightly. We’re in the middle of seriously kissing when Zane yells. “Come on. You caught him. Time to get back here.”
Reid kisses me deeply one more time and then slowly lowers me to my feet. “If I knew that would be the outcome, I would have let you catch me a long time ago.”
My eyes widen. “You did notlet mecatch you! I caught you on my own!” His eyes dance, and he puts out his hand. I don’t take it. “I caught you fair and square.” I tug on his hand, not letting him go until he admits it. “Say it.”
“Fine, Riley. You caught me fair and square.” But he’s still grinning, and I don’t like it. But I let him take my hand and pull me along to join the others. They all want to play another round, but I'm tapped.
“I’m going to sit out this round,” I tell everybody.
“Oh, good. Me too,” Tessa says, instantly joining me.
“Me three.” Evie joins our trio as we head towards the house. “How’s everybody’s week look?” Evie asks as we head inside.
“Reid and I have a combined holiday game this weekend. The women’s team plays and then the men’s team.”
Evie looks over at us. “Really? That sounds fun.”
“Yeah, it should be, especially now that I hopefully won’t be weak.”
They both look at me in concern, and I can’t help my laugh. “It’s okay. I’m fine now.”
“Are you sure?” Tessa asks. “I saw the replay of you dropping to the ground, and it was pretty awful.”
“I really am. I’m actually looking forward to playing now that Reid and I are bonded; I think it will be so much better.
“I hope so,” Evie says with concern.
“It will be; you’ll see.”
