Even before the serve, I’ve decided I’m going for it. I won’t go down without giving it my all. Tanner’s serve is high and floats right toward the middle. All four of us head to the center. I call it and block everything else out.

Calm washes over me as I position my body and stretch the racket to my right to make the play. Everything slows down. Even the music and the noise from the party fades to the background.

I can practically taste victory when another racket collides with mine and together we jam the birdie between us and it falls to the ground two feet in front of us.

“Oh, sorry, I was trying to be aggressive.” Celia smiles too big considering we just lost. She shrugs. “At least it’s over now and we only have to take one shot.”

15

TANNER

Sydney’s still bristling from the loss as I bring back fresh drinks. Feet bare, shoes discarded beside her, she sits on the edge and dips her toes into the pool.

“One Malibu and Coke.” I hand her a red cup and take a seat next to her.

“Thank you,” she says like she’s anything but thankful.

“It’s not so bad. You still get to go out with me.”

“Yeah, yeah. That would be more forgivable if this wasn’t all your fault.”

“My fault?” I bark out a laugh at how riled up she is over badminton.

“You and your stupid handsome face attracting every chick and forcing me into stupid badminton games.” She waves a hand dismissively.

“I seem to remember you offering yourself up to even the teams.”

“Yes, but I had to. I saw the way Willow was looking at you.”

“How’s that?”

Her brown eyes lock on me. The neon lights from the pool dot her irises. “Fishing for compliments?”

“Only from you. I don’t give a shit about Willow or any other girl. Not here and not at Valley. You’ve always been my number one. When have I ever put anyone over you? I care what you think. Only you.”

A little of the fight leaves her and her mouth softens. “I know. It doesn’t mean I don’t like proving that I’m better for you to anyone that tries to get your attention. I’ve waited two years for this. I don’t want anyone to get in the way. And I don’t want to wait. I don’t need five dates. I did then, but not now.”

“Maybe I do. I want to show you that I’m serious about doing things right this time around. I fucked it up two years ago and I really hate fucking up. I want to give you an epic love story. You deserve that.”

“Epic love story?” Her grin is as wide as her face. “You’re so cheesy.”