Natalie steps onto the grass anyway.
"Alright," she says. "Move."
She immediately steals the puck from me.
"Hey," I say.
"Too slow," she replies.
She moves fast.
Surprisingly fast.
"You're aggressive," I say, catching up.
"You should see me when I'm competitive," she says.
She shoots.
The puck slides right past Dex.
Dex drops to his knees.
"I've been betrayed," he says.
Natalie laughs and pumps her fist.
Without thinking I grab her in a quick side hug.
"Nice shot," I say.
She laughs, slightly out of breath.
"Thank you."
She brushes a piece of grass off my shoulder.
The touch is quick.
Casual.
I grin and tap her lightly on the back as she walks past.
Across the yard I hear Colby talking quietly to Bobby.
"Have you ever seen him like this?" Colby asks.
"Nope," Bobby says.
Dex is watching us too.
I notice it when I hand Maddie a bottle of water.
Natalie bumps my shoulder as she walks past.
"You're losing," she says.
"Temporary setback," I reply.
