Chapter Twenty-Eight

“Two baskets up here with the two colors in play. Come pick your pleasure.” The announcer pointed to the baskets in front of him.

“Clearly, we’ll be on opposite teams,” Chase told her.

“Clearly. After we pick colors, you’ll get me the change of clothes?”

“Absolutely,” Chase replied. “I don’t want any accusations later on that I had an unfair advantage.”

He crowded into her so he could steal a quick kiss. When he raised his head she pointed her finger at him. “No more of that, mister. You’re the enemy now!” Chase smiled down at her and she gently elbowed him away as she went to join her friends by the other basket.

“So competition number two is football, huh? The man has obviously deduced that you have no experience with organized sports,” Fredi said.

“I know,” Ava moaned. “Why couldn’t it have been beer pong or something? Anyway, you need to help me.”

They nodded.

“Don’t worry,” Fredi said. “We got your back.”

“So what is the third competition in this Nashville bet?” Bonni inquired.

Ava shrugged and the line shuffled forward. “I have no idea. He makes it up as he goes along.”

They reached into the basket and grabbed their flags.

“This is too funny. Anyway, at least we’re on the same team. Just don’t trip,” Fredi told her.

“Did you just jinx me? Aww, Fredi, why’d you have to go and say that.” Ava let out a huff. “I’ll do my best. But I don’t watch football, I know nothing about it.”

“It’s not like this is going to be rules enforced by linesmen and everything. Basically, you just want to get the football from your end into their end without losing your flag,” Bonni informed her.

“I’m going to fail this one. I know it. Especially since you jinxed me, Fredi.”

“Not if we can help it.” The girls stood around Ava and walked out of the barn to the playing field. On his way to get Ava the change of clothes, Chase had stopped by a bunch of other players on his team and Fredi did the two-finger I’m-looking-at-you from her eyes to his.

He threw back his head and roared with laughter, then said something to his friends. They all turned to look at the women. Nodding their heads, they crossed their arms.

“Ah, geez, this is not looking good,” Ava said.

Game on.