“Yeah. We’re pretty good at pie,” Max said, glancing up from his phone. “Hey, you play hoops?”
“I played in high school.” Logan swallowed the bite he was chewing. “I’m all right I suppose. Why?”
“Just got a text from the guy coordinating the three-on-three tourney. They’re looking for one more team to even things out. You up for it?”
“Probably should have mentioned that before I ate half a pie.” Logan patted his stomach. “But sure. I’ll do it.”
He had just put another bite into his mouth when Tess and her friends approached the table. She wore short shorts, a slim-fitting red, white, and blue tank top, and flip-flops. His eyes glommed onto her long, bare legs, and the pie lodged uncomfortably in his throat.
“Ya good?” She smiled, knowing she’d caught him ogling her.
He turned beet red and coughed until he could speak. “Yep,” he choked out.
They all took seats. Tess grabbed his fork, helped herself to a bite of his pie, and then handed it to Alex, who did the same. The fork made its way around the table, and before he knew it, the pie had vanished.
“Thank you,” he said. “You saved me from downing the whole thing myself.”
“Where’s Lilly?” Faith asked Max.
“She talked her grandparents into a pony ride.”
“Hey,” Alex said. “Did you get the text from Coach Reed? They need another team for the tourney. Max and Logan, you guys wanna play?”
“I already got Logan on board,” Max said. “We just need a girl. Tessy, you in?”
“Why not Faith?” Tess said.
Faith and Nick shared a spousal glance—the mind-reading kind where secrets flowed effortlessly. Logan had seen it a million times with Cooper and Annie.
Juliet noticed it too and took a shot at interpreting it. “Oh my gosh!” she yelled. “Are you pregnant?”
Logan thought that was quite a leap, but Juliet proved she knew them better than he did when Nick nodded and Faith put her finger to her lips.
“Shh,” she said. “We haven’t told anyone yet. It’s still pretty early.”
“This is so exciting,” Alex whispered. “Congratulations!”
“I’m gonna be an aunt.” Tess beamed, a radiant glow in her hazel eyes.
Juliet wrapped her arms around Faith and kissed her cheek. “I’m so happy for you.”
“Nice.” Brody slapped Nick on the back.
Nick puffed out his chest as if he’d accomplished some monumental feat. “Your turn.”
“Hey,” Brody said. “Slow down. I’m not even married yet.”
“It’s not that Ican’tplay,” Faith said. “I just get nauseous really easily lately and don’t want to risk it.”
“Okay,” Max said. “So Faith’s out. Tess or Juliet?”
“I’m already on a team with my brothers,” Juliet said. “It’s all you Tess.”
Tess glanced Logan’s way, almost as if to ask if it was okay with him.
“Welcome aboard,” he said with a smile. “Excited to see what you got, Walker.”
Other than the low-key HORSE game at Tess’s party, it had been a while since Logan had played ball, and it took him half a game to find his stride. Max was okay, but Tess was clearly holding up the team, draining shots like nobody’s business.
