Page 35 of Beg Me

Jasper and Courtney rally, effortlessly volleying the ball back across the net. Courtney handles the change in pace that Jasper throws at her—that I fucking helped him perfect, the son of a bitch—and seems to be more of a pickler than a banger. Since Jasper’s preference is to bang, this could be a problem for their opponents.

Fuck. It’s not a death knell by any means, but it does mean that I have to bring my A game. It’ll take it to beat them.

I blow out a breath when my phone buzzes, thankful for a reason to look away from my adversaries. Adam’s name is on the screen.

“Hey,” I say, pressing the speakerphone button. “Get your butt down here. We have an audience, and I want to show off. Get into our opponent’s head.” I smile menacingly. “Give them something to think about.”

There’s a pause just long enough to make my heart skip a beat.

“About that …” Adam sighs. “I don’t know how to say this, and I’ve tried practicing it a million times over the past twenty-four hours.”

I sit taller, blood pooling in my eardrums. “Unless it’s a new strategy that you want to try, I don’t care to hear it.”

“Markie, I’m sorry.”

Sorry? What? No.

My stomach drops, twisting into the tightest knot that I’ve ever experienced.

“I realize what an opportunity it is to play with you,” he says. “Trust me when I know what I’m about to say is crazy.”

“Then don’t say it.”

He chuckles nervously. “I wish I didn’t have to.” He takes a breath. “My girlfriend asked me to go with her to meet her family in Washington, and I agreed. This was last month. I guess I just got excited by the chance to play with you and didn’t check the date. But it’s literally the same weekend, and she’s already purchased the tickets and made arrangements.”

I drop my phone to my lap and stare straight ahead.

This can’t be happening.

I try to keep my features blank as Jasper glances my way again. He and Courtney gather their things, laughing with each other as they exit the court and head for a white SUV across the lot.

“Adam,” I say, plastering on a smile, “please tell me you’re joking. Please tell me that this is some sick joke and that you’re pulling up as we speak.”

“I wish I was. And if I wasn’t really serious about this girl, I’d figure out a way around it. Unfortunately, I love her and want to ask her to marry me. This is the perfect time to ask her father for her hand in marriage.”

Damn you, Adam. “There’s no way you can go the next weekend? Or the one before?” I cringe. “It has to be that weekend?”

“Yes. I’m sorry. I’m going to take so much crap for this at work because I’ve been bragging about getting to play with you. But there’s really nothing I can do at this point, Markie. I’m sorry.”

I watch the SUV exit the park, then rest my forehead against the steering wheel.

Pain behind my right eye blossoms, and I struggle to breathe deeply. An elephant could be sitting on my chest, and I’d be none the wiser. The optimism I’ve had this week crashes around me, leaving me sitting in a puddle of dusty dreams.

I want one thing. Just one damn thing. And now I’m back to square one.

“Are you still there?” he asks.

“Yup. Still here.” Lifting my head, I stare sadly at the other teams on the court. “I guess that’s all there is to say.”

“I guess so. I’m sorry, Markie.”

“Have fun on your trip,” I say with absolutely no indication that I do, in fact, wish him a good time.

He groans. “Good luck. I hope you find someone to replace me, and I hope you kick ass again this year.”

As if that’s fucking possible now, dipshit.

“Thanks. Goodbye, Adam.”