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“Hudson, you better shut your mouth right now,” Ford said.
Fin smiled, flashing his teeth.
“What’s the deal, Tigger?”
“I lost a bet!”
Ford laughed. “I knew there had to be a reason. Who with?”
“Pip. She said I couldn’t beat her at rock, paper, scissors, and I always beat her, so I took the bet because I thought it was a safe one. For the first time ever, she won.” Maggie looked seriously annoyed. “She always chooses rock.”
“And that’s why you’re here playing, because Pip said you had to?”
“Yes,” she hissed.
Ford just shook his head. “Don’t break anything.”
Maggie flipped him the bird. “What did you get up to yesterday? I heard you went to your first knitting-club meeting. Bit of a shock you were keeping that from us too. The knitting thing, I mean.”
“Stop hassling your brother, sweetheart,” Fin said over his shoulder.
“I’m not the one hiding shit,” Maggie declared.
“Oh really?” Ford raised a brow.
“Anymore,” Maggie muttered.
Autumn’s phone buzzed in her pocket, so she pulled it out. Reading the caller ID, she turned it to silent and shoved it back in her pocket.
“You all good there, Autumn?”
She nodded to Ford.
“Six players are needed and the same in reserves, or less, depending on how many we get. There seems to be enough here, so let’s see if we can form you into teams that will represent our fine town with integrity and skill, but above all I hope you enjoy yourselves and win. The mayor of Lyntacky and I have a bet going. Please don’t let me down.”
As usual, Mayor Gripper’s outfit was eye-popping. This time he was in lime-green shorts and a white-and-lime-green pinstriped shirt.
“Has anyone ever asked him where he gets his clothes from?” Autumn asked Maggie.
“Online, from what I gather. The man’s all class.”
“He is.”
“Men first, then, since we don’t have many women, the men will play them next.”
“Who’s the referee?” someone asked.
“That would be me,” Albert from The Chocolate Place said, joining Mayor Gripper. “I played for many years at a national level. I will be fair but firm.”
“I bet he’s a real hard-ass,” Fin said.
“The Robbins sisters will be assisting me, and Mr. Goldhirsh and I will be here for medical support. Pearl will ensure you have water, and if any of your muscles cramp, she has offered to help there also,” Mayor Gripper said.
Everyone laughed as the elderly lady waggled her eyebrows.
“Right. Let’s go. Support from those not playing is welcome. Heckling is not, and I’m looking at you, Trainers and SRR boys.”
“That seems harsh,” Luke said.
