Daniel shrugged. “Fine by me. It’s guys against girls. But you’re short one chick, unless you count Rachel twice because she talks so much.”
Will laughed until Rachel elbowed him in the gut. “Oh, ah, be nice, Daniel.”
“That’s it. We’re wiping the floor with you losers.” Rachel glared.
While Evan and the guys got ready, Hector took food requests then hustled to the counter to place their orders.
“I get beer too? This is awesome.” Daniel put his shoes on and grabbed a second bag from Lila. He withdrew a glittery blue ball. “Who goes first?”
Evan rubbed his hands together with glee. “Great. Another pro on our side—that’s in addition to me. I can’t speak for Hector. Navy guys typically suck at sports.”
Hector returned in time to hear him and frowned. “Ass.”
Evan ignored him. “We can go by age, I guess. You first.”
“Sounds good. I’ll put us in.” Daniel sat and entered their names into the console. “Oh, and don’t worry, man. I won’t let you look weak in front of my sister.”
“Thanks, Daniel. I was worried.”
Daniel didn’t seem to catch Evan’s sarcasm, but Will and Lila grinned.
“We need to bet something.” Lila frowned in thought. “It’s not as much fun unless you can rub someone’s face in their defeat.”
Hector grinned. “Man, Lila, you’re brutal. I love that in a woman.”
Lila smacked him on the arm and pretended she’d hurt her hand.
Will and Rachel bandied insults, and Daniel tried to pretend to be above it all, though Evan saw him biting back laughter.
Then he noticed Kenzie studying him, and Evan wondered if she knew how much he liked her.
She didn’t look nervous tonight. She looked focused, intense. “You’re going down, buddy.”
Immediately Evan’s mind filled with thoughts of going down…on her. He couldn’t help it. He laughed and leaned closer to whisper, “Sounds good to me.”
“Why is that funny?” Daniel asked.
Kenzie held up three fingers. “Peel the banana.” Which would leave him with her middle finger standing straight and tall.
“Just meeting your sister’s pitiful challenge, Daniel. That’s all.” Evan flexed his arms, pleased when Kenzie’s eyes widened. “Yeah, that’s right, little woman. My manly team will crush your pretty, pathetic efforts.”
“You need to work on your trash talk, bro.” Hector shook his head. “So lame. He means we’re gonna kick your asses. Losers buy the beer.”
“And a soda for Daniel,” Evan said before Kenzie could protest.
Daniel glared at him, but Kenzie clearly approved.
Then the game was on.
Halfway through their first match, Evan left to use the restroom and returned to see Kenzie and Daniel still dominating the board. Kenzie hadn’t been kidding about being good. And her brother consistently bowled either strikes or spares. Wow.
“Daniel, quit taking it easy on your sister. We play to win,” he reminded the kid.
“I’d probably do much better if I wasn’t so hungry. When is the pizza coming?”
Considering the boy had already downed half the nachos and a hot dog, he shouldn’t have been hungry.
Kenzie sighed. “You see now why we need more clients? This kid is eating me out of the house.”
