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“There’s a cooler with drinks,” Jay said when he got back. “Grab what you want.”
Layla and Peyton were having fun with Ciara on a large blanket that they’d spread on the grass. As Will watched them, he was painfully reminded yet again that the dream he had of having children of his own felt even further out of reach than ever.
He shifted his gaze from the kids, not wanting his thoughts to turn too morose. Or at least any more morose than they already were.
Going to the cooler, he pulled out a bottle of water and cracked the lid.
“Between your mom and Misha’s, we’re spoiled for treats,” Jay said as Will sat down on the bench across from him.
“Mom’s been baking up a storm of goodies lately.” He opened the container from his mom and grabbed an iced gingerbread cookie. “Especially these ones, which she knows are my favorite.”
“Am I allowed one?” Misha asked. “Or are they reserved for you?”
“I suppose I can share.” Will gave her a quick smile. “I have a whole other container at home that Mom brought me yesterday.”
“I thought we were going to play volleyball,” Jackson called over to them from where he was bumping a volleyball by the net.
“Have patience,” Gareth told him. “We’ll be there in a couple of minutes.”
Once they finished their cookies, the guys went to join Jackson. The women sat on the blanket with the kids, keeping them far enough back so that they wouldn’t get hit by the ball if it spun off in the wrong direction.
They divided up with Gareth and his friends on one team, and Jay and Will on the other with the understanding that Will had to touch the ball at least once every time the ball was on their side. Will was Jay’s handicap, so he couldn’t beat the other team too easily.
They didn’t play aggressively, though Will was sure it just about killed Jay not to dive for every ball and spike it when he had the opportunity. Will did his best to set the ball for Jay, but inevitably, it left Jay scrambling to get to it. Thankfully, none of the three on the other side were any better. In fact, he could confidently say that Jackson was the worst of all of them.
At one point, Jackson called for a time-out and flopped down on the ground. Will went to the picnic table and grabbed his water bottle, draining what remained of it before tossing it into the nearby recycling container.
“Will!” Jackson yelled. “Bring me water, please! I think I’m going to die.”
Will chuckled as he opened the cooler and grabbed two more bottles of water. He walked back to where Jackson was sprawled on the grass and held one out to him.
“Thanks, man.” Jackson sat up and took the bottle from him. “Appreciate it.”
Will lowered himself to sit next to him, looking over to where Jay and Gareth were chatting with the ladies. Janessa was leaning back, relaxing on her hands with her legs stretched out and crossed at her ankles as she looked up at her brothers. Like the other ladies, she was dressed for the warm weather in a pair of shorts and a T-shirt.
“Gotta say, it wasn’t very cool of Daphne to show up with that guy today,” Jackson said.
Though he didn’t really want to talk about it, Will wasn’t surprised that Jackson brought it up. The guy rarely seemed to think much before saying whatever was on his mind.
“It was going to happen sooner or later,” Will said.
“Take it from me. Later is always preferable to sooner.”
“Won’t get an argument from me on that.”
“You doing okay?” Jackson asked.
Will shrugged. “Sure. It’s not like I’ve been hoping we’d get back together.”
“Really?” Jackson sounded skeptical. “So you’ve learned a lesson or two from Jay?”
“Or maybe I just don’t want to be with someone who doesn’t want to be with me.”
“Ah. So it wasn’t just a disagreement? You know for sure she doesn’t want to get back together with you?”
“Yep. She made that very clear at the time of the breakup.”
“I’d say sorry, but I think perhaps you’re better off without her.”
