“That’s how you plan to win?” Dan tied his running shoes and joined Drew and Chase for another round of high fives. “If heart is all you got, we’ll be done before Dad’s ribs finish cooking on the grill.”
Nichole tightened her ponytail and rubbed her hands together. “I think we need to make this more interesting.”
The men straightened and stepped up to the net.
Chase eyed his wife, amusement and speculation flowed through his question. “What do you ladies have in mind?”
“Ladies.” Nichole motioned her teammates closer to her. The women gathered into a huddle to discuss their terms.
Drew watched Molly laugh and offer her own suggestions to her teammates, earning their approval. His grin grew every time she laughed. A punch landed on his shoulder, distracting him. He landed a return tap on Dan’s shoulder.
“Harrington, you need to get your head in the game.” Dan pointed at him. “We can’t win with your puppy-dog eyes tracking Molly’s every move.”
“That’s their strategy.” Chase rubbed his hand over his mouth and considered the trio of women. “Distraction.”
“We can’t go down like that.” Dan set a hand on Drew’s shoulder, then his other on Chase’s shoulder. “We need terms too.”
The two teams reconvened and tossed out possible terms and started to negotiate. From the card game on the porch, Brad, their dad William and Dan’s dad Rick shouted out their own suggestions. The kids—Wesley, Ben and Ella—paused long enough in their giant bubble making to suggest ice cream be included no matter what.
Finally the terms were set. If the men lost, they had to plan a mystery date for their partner. Takeout and a movie at home were forbidden as a mystery date option. The women agreed to sing karaoke for at least an hour at The Shouting Fiddle Pub if they lost.
“Game on.” Brooke tossed the ball in the air and caught it. “Best of three matches wins.”
Drew stepped into position across from Molly. Dan shoved him aside, pointing to the other side of the court. “Over there, puppy-dog eyes.”
Chase positioned himself behind Drew and Dan. He clapped his hands together. “Let’s see what you got, Brooke.”
Two games in with the last game determining the winner, Drew opened a water bottle and splashed his face. “The women have way more than heart, they’ve got game too.”
“And luck.” Dan grabbed Drew’s water bottle and rinsed off his face.
Chase wiped his forehead with his T-shirt and glanced at Dan. “Your wife has skills, Dan. You didn’t think to mention before now that Brooke can really play? Her short height is actually an advantage for her.”
“Brooke keeps surprising me. Makes our marriage more interesting and fun.” Dan laughed and shook his head.
Marriage. Drew hadn’t ever considered marriage, the dull or the good kind. Marriage required vows and a commitment. But he was dedicated to his work. That was enough, wasn’t it?
He glanced across the backyard, watched Molly interact with the kids and Hazel. A warmth—a contentment—filled him. As if he’d suddenly found his place. The one that made life worthwhile. But he knew his place. His work fulfilled him. Sure, he was happy now playing and having fun, but this wasn’t sustainable. His work would always be there. That had to mean something.
Drew tugged his thoughts away from the impossible and unwise, and focused on his two friends. “Nichole and Molly are also holding their own.”
“My wife likes to pretend she’s uncoordinated and too tall for things.” Chase scratched his cheek. Admiration filled his voice. “But when Nichole steps up, she’s all in.”
Would Molly be all in for marriage? Did she want a wedding and a husband? He hadn’t heard her complain about being a single parent. Not once. Could she want Drew as a husband?
Drew coughed and pounded on his chest to dislodge that absurd idea. Besides, he wasn’t proposing to Molly, so marriage was not relevant. “We gave the women too much incentive to win. We gave them the edge with these mystery dates.”
Dan nodded. “I haven’t planned a date for Brooke and me in months.”
Chase frowned. “Neither have I. I feel bad.”
Drew splashed the last of the water over his face to clear his thoughts. Marriage was off the table, despite Reuben advising him not to let Molly go. As for a mystery date with Molly, well, that appealed. Appealed too much. That was bad. “We need to win and head to the karaoke bar.”
“Or we could let the women win,” Chase offered.
“You want to throw the game?” Drew challenged. “Let your wives win so you can plan mystery dates for them?” He’d have to plan one for Molly. His attorney. His friend. How was he supposed to stay in his professional lane on a mystery date? Did he even want to stay in his lane?
“Nichole deserves a night out.” Chase raised his arms and lifted his shoulders. “She deserves way more than that.”
Dan nodded. “Brooke too.”
“Look, I get it.” What Drew didn’t get was why the idea of throwing the game enticed him so much. There could be no date with Molly. What if he wanted another one? Then one more. He would return to his sixty-hours-a-week job—when could he possibly go on a date? Molly deserved a real boyfriend—the kind that made her feel special and appreciated. She deserved to be put first. He ran a hand through his hair, already despising any man who wanted to date Molly. “But we don’t play to lose. Ever. What does that teach your boys?”
“That their wives’ happiness is important,” Dan stated.
“Good point,” Chase agreed.
“Okay, you can plan special date nights after we listen to the women sing karaoke at the pub. Got it?” Drew clapped his hands together as if pumping up his teammates.
“Wait.” Dan wiped his forehead and eyed Drew. “You’re not scared of taking Molly on a mystery date, are you?”
Chase moved beside Dan and eyed him from his head to his toes. “He could be. I’ve never
