Page 4 of Calling a Cease-Fire

I glanced over my shoulder to see who he was talking to. I wasn’t familiar with anyone with that name. But he was looking at me, arms crossed, and that teasing smile plastered on his stupidly handsome face.

Oh hell no. He was not giving me some stupid nickname.

I stomped his way and narrowed my eyes. “Don’t call me that.”

“Would you rather Storm? How about Onyx?” His look took on something more sinister. “Or maybe Ursula?”

I gritted my teeth and blew out a harsh breath. “You should be singing my praises right now for saving your ass. I don’t have to play.”

“You don’t, but you will. Regardless of how much I piss you off. And I’m interested to figure out why.” He chuckled. “Because I don’t think you secretly love playing volleyball, and you definitely wouldn’t do me any favors.”

He had that right. But I wasn’t going to bring up my tough day and the need to do something to take my mind off of it. He would use it to rile me up, I was sure of it.

He studied me like he was trying to figure out a puzzle. Fortunately, Savannah called his name, pulling his attention over to her, and squashing my need to punch him in the face.

“Five-minute warning, hot stuff,” Savannah said with a wink.

He nodded, telling her, “I’ll be right there.”

Turning back to me, he tipped his chin over to the sidelines. “Head over and see Adam. He’ll let you know what position he wants you in.” He smirked as he added, “He has a very detailed strategy.”

I rolled my eyes. Lyla wasn’t kidding when she said Adam was competitive.

After checking in with Adam, I stood next to him as Savannah and Zack took the stage. I found myself studying the dynamic between them. They had a comfortable intimacy, like they had known each other a long time. Or maybe they were in a relationship. I wondered what the story was there. Nicole hadn’t mentioned he was dating anyone. But for all I knew, he was the type of guy who dated women casually and didn’t stick around for long. Given his carefree, laid-back, not a serious bone in his body vibe, I wouldn’t be surprised.

Zack introduced Owen, who gave a brief speech honoring our fallen volunteer who’d perished in a fire last month. I didn’t know him, but I was working the night the call came in. I was the one who sent out the alert for extra responders. Rationally, I knew I did my job well, and I couldn't have changed the outcome, but it didn't stop the what ifs. Was there anything more I could have done? Was there anything I should have done differently?

Once Owen was done, I shook my head to clear it and focus on the game, reminding myself why I’d volunteered to play.

I was a substitute to start with, switching out with a female volunteer after the first set. Playing as a middle blocker, I was directly in front of Zack. The set started and the pass came my way. I jumped and spiked it hard over the net, winning us a point.

“Damn,” Adam said as he high-fived me. “You’re good! You could have led with that small detail, you know.”

I shrugged. “I went to college in a beach town. Spent a lot of time playing beach volleyball.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Zack’s smile, and turned as he raised a hand for a high five. Since I wasn’t rude, I gave him one, then quickly turned back to the game.

At the beginning of the third set, Zack and I each called out for the ball, simultaneously lunging for it. He got to it a second before I collided into his torso.

He chuckled above me. “If you wanted a hug, all you had to do was ask.”

I whipped my head up, sending him a glare I hoped conveyed my feelings that the thought repulsed me. As usual, he just smirked, not at all phased by my death stare.

Huh. That particular look usually sent people scurrying in the opposite direction.

I spent the fourth set on the bench allowing another volunteer to play. I cringed as he missed multiple plays, allowing PD to win that set. Amateur. But I was a team player, so I’d keep that to myself.

For the last one, Adam pulled who he thought were our best six players—himself, Zack, Seth, Owen, a female volunteer, and me.

We were all tied up, each team with two set wins. Whoever won this last set would win the game. After fifteen minutes, the score was close. We were leading by one point and just needed one more to win the game. I reached up and adjusted my ponytail, pulling back the stray strands that had come loose.

From behind me, Zack started chanting the tune to “Eye of the Tiger,” and I glanced back at him. Or more like scowled. Because why was he always singing or humming? He lifted his shirt, wiping some sweat from his face. My eyes locked on his insanely sculpted abs, and the minute he dropped his shirt, the spell broken, my focus snapped back up at his face. The wink he sent me dripped with arrogance, and I scoffed, turning back to focus on the game and chiding myself for giving him the satisfaction.

PD served the ball, and after a quick pass I hit it hard over the net, gaining the final point needed to win the game.

Adam took me by surprise as he lunged for me, lifting and spinning me excitedly. For a second, I could have sworn Zack looked pissed off. But by the time I was placed back on my feet and spun to face him, he was all smiles and double high fives.

“Glad you were on our team, that’s for sure,” he said with a shake of his head.