Perfect Strangers

A bout of deep laughter broke out as Jack and company came into the garden through the side gate. Grace’s face lit up and she ran towards him with her arms outstretched before she threw herself at him. Myla groaned when she saw who was amongst the party with Jack.

“I hear you’re not partaking in the Fox’s family tradition of sports in the park, Rhett?” gloated Casper.

This prick again? “Don’t know where you heard that from pal, I’m looking forward to it,” snapped Kai.

“Good. It should be fun, we can sort the men from the boys.”

Oh, I’ll have fun taking you down. “Sure can. Hope you’ve packed your pacifier? You’ll be needing it,” retorted Kai, pinning a dark look towards him.

“What are you doing?” asked Myla turning to face Kai.

Tearing his hateful stare from Casper, his face softened as his eyes found hers, “I’m going to play sports with your family, as requested,” he shrugged.

“Are you going to use this as an opportunity to turn this into a battle of I’m-better-than-you?” She questioned ticking her head to one side and placing her hands on her hips.

Kissing her cheek, he winked and began walking away backwards, “Why would I need to do that? I’m already better than him, I have you, don’t I?” Without waiting for her answer, he blew her a kiss, turned away and headed towards the group. You’re going down Casper!

CHAPTER THIRTY

He was knackered. Having spent most of the night awake with Myla, then running from one store to another trying to locate the right material for Grace’s dress, he was done in and all he wanted to do was chill out on the couch with junk food and trashy TV and admire Myla from afar. Instead he was now dressed in sweats and a t-shirt and was animatedly warming up for the mother of all showdowns. Casper.

“You all right?” Jack asked watching Kai do lunges followed by a jog on the spot.

“Never better, Jack. Why?”

“I’ve seen the daggers you two are throwing at each other, is this going to turn into some kind of testosterone-fueled fight?”

Screwing his face up, Kai came to a sudden stop. “I don’t need to fight, I have Myla and he doesn’t, what is there to fight about?”

“I’ve known Casper most of my life, Rhett. He’s competitive, especially in this sort of environment, he will be trying to get one over on you. I’m just giving you a head’s up.”

Slapping his hand on Jack’s shoulder he smiled. “We all have a friend like Casper, one of my friends, Josh, he’s a twat just like Casper. Trust me, if he starts anything today, I’ll be the one finishing it,” said Kai. He gave a gentle squeeze on his shoulder and walked away.

“Right, we will play a mixture of American and British sports. First up, we are going to play Volleyball. My team will be Myself, Grace, Rhett and Chloe,” announced Stan as he waved his clipboard around.

“Hey I’m Chloe, one of Grace’s bridesmaids,” she smiled sweetly, and fluttered her eyelash extensions his way as she held out a hand out to Kai.

Turning her way, he quickly glanced at her and uncharacteristically shook her hand. Forcing a smile, he nodded, “I’m Rhett, and I’m taken.”

“And on the other team will be Jack’s father Trevor, sister Clara, Jack, and Casper,” continued Stan, who seemed to revel in his authority.

“Hope you’ve brought your A game?” sneered Casper when he barged past Kai, hitting him in the shoulder blade with his own shoulder.

“I’ve brought it all right and my B, C, and D game,” grunted Kai taking up his position at the back on his team’s side of the net.

Casper positioned himself on the opposite side to Kai and smirked. Victoria blew the whistle and the ball was released into the air. Chloe hit it over the net and Jack returned it as Stan jumped and smashed it into the ground on the opposing team’s side. A loud roar went up and Stan danced in glee causing Trevor to shout “Fuck,” at the top of his voice. It was Kai’s turn to serve, and he hit it towards Casper who grunted as he jumped and smashed it into the ground on their side of the net.

“What was that?” Grace demanded stomping towards Kai.

“Uhm, a serve?” he replied, alarmed at Grace’s turn in attitude.

“He ain’t got it in him to play rough,” shouted Casper and a round of laughter broke out.

Bell end!

“You need to be more aggressive, Rhett.” Grace ordered and sternly waved her finger in his face.

Okay, Grace. Aggressive I can do.