“Is anyone else confused by the two-whistle situation here?” Emery asked. “I’m not sure if I’ve done something wrong or if I should do my cheerleading routine.”
“Baby, you’re showing me your cheerleading routine later,” Lex said, draping his arms over Emery’s shoulders.
“Keep it in your pants,” Adam said.
Did I detect some tension from Adam? What was his problem?
Our loyal spectators lined the makeshift sidelines, their cheers and encouragement adding to the fun. Even my grandma was shouting for us, picking one team to cheer for at a time.
The only person not joining the fun was Victoria, who’d moved to a lounger, her phone in one hand and a cocktail in the other. Adam bypassed the drinks table and went to sit with her.
“Well done, boys and girl,” Mom said cheerfully. “I never knew my babies were so talented.”
I snorted. “I’ve always been good at going from vertical to horizontal in no time, as I demonstrated to my husband fiveminutes after we met.” It was a joke, but my mom, ever used to my crude teasing but rarely accepting it, cuffed my head.
Lior grabbed my waist from the back and whispered in my ear, “If I remember correctly, we remained vertical throughout.”
I turned around in his hold. “We better sit down for this break if we don’t want to scare the children in the second half of this game.”
He grabbed two glasses of soda, and we took one of the free loungers. I sat against his chest, with my knees pulled up to my chest.
“This is fun,” he said.
“Maybe for you, Ronaldo. Some of us are simply trying to make it with all our teeth in place.” I shifted to face him sideways. “Would you stay married to me if I lost all my front teeth in the tragedy that is this game?”
He brought his hand up to his beard, stroking it. “Hmm, I don’t know. You’d probably talk funny, which could be entertaining. I’m not interested in public life so that’s that. Oh, blowjobs could be awesome. Yeah, I’d keep you.”
“I want a divorce. I don’t feel respected in this relationship,” I grumbled like I meant it.
He tightened his hold around me and said in a low voice, “Would you rather I said it doesn’t matter what you look like, I’d still want you?”
I rested my head in the crook of his neck. Did I want him to say that? Yes, I did, but also not.
Every time he was sweet to me, it was the greatest thing ever, but it also reminded me this was temporary. A year at most, and I didn’t know if it would be long enough to make him fall for me for real.
At least I could be thankful that sex between us was on now.
Not that I was in any way inclined to have sex with anyone else right now, but not having any at all would’ve been a total mood-buster.
Our two little whistle masters called us for the second half of the game.
The score was tied, so we still had everything to play for.
We gathered around. Meatball looked at all of us. “I hear the other team wants to donate the winning fee to an animal sanctuary in Chester Falls.”
“Awww,” Ellie cooed.
“Focus, Eleanor,” I said, snapping my fingers. “There’s a local charity to us that I think should get the money.”
“What’s that?” River asked.
“The Star Finders Youth Network. They help out kids in the system, giving them a community?—”
“Yes,” River interrupted. “I want to help them.”
Lior held my hand and squeezed it gently. “If we win, I’ll match the value of what’s been raised.”
“I’ll do the same,” River said. “I’ve been looking for a charity to support, but with the work at the restaurant, I haven’t had time. I’d love to know more about this one.”
