Perfect Strangers

The ball was served by Trevor, Chloe hit it back, Casper dived for the ball and somehow power housed it over the net hitting Kai straight in the chest. He grunted and staggered back, the ball fell to the ground causing Jack’s team to screech with joy when they took the lead.

“It’s like playing against a fucking pansy,” bellowed Casper. Kai clutched his winded chest.

“You okay, son?” asked Stan bending over towards Kai.

Blowing out a deep breath he smiled and nodded. “Of course, all part of the game, right?”

“That’s the spirit,” laughed Stan jovially slapping him on the back.

Standing upright, he signaled for Victoria to continue. Kai’s mind went dark and he honed his sights in on Casper’s mocking face. He watched as Trevor hit the ball to Chloe, she hit towards Clara but Casper jumped in the way and as soon as his fist connected with the ball, Kai ran, pushing Grace out of the way to the ground, jumped and slammed the ball over the net with all his might, straight into Casper’s face. An almighty roar sounded as the ball fell to the ground and Kai began celebrating his victory, chest bumping Stan in jubilation. It was only when he spotted Casper fall to his knees, that he registered what had happened.

All the women rushed to Casper’s aid as he rocked back and forth on his knees clutching his nose. Smirking, Kai walked over to the net. “You want that pacifier now?” he taunted to Casper.

Cutting him a dirty look he stood up and walked to the sidelines where Victoria attempted to stem the bleeding with tissue. “You’ll pay for this, Rhett,” he mumbled.

“Bring it on, Rambo,” Kai said with a hearty laugh and walked away to retrieve a drink.

“Nice move, Rhett,” snickered Stan, coming up beside him.

“Well, it’s the spirit of the game, isn’t it?” Winked Kai with a smug look.

“I think we should take a break,” suggested Rose, Jack’s mother as she laced her fingers together in angst.

“No, I’m good, I am a man after all,” shouted Casper who stood to his feet, with tissue hanging from both his nostrils. “Myla knows all about how much of a man I am,” he bragged loudly coming to a standstill next to Kai. Snatching the water bottle from Kai’s hand he brazenly drank from it.

Kai snorted, then turned to face him. “A real man seduces a woman’s mind before he touches her body, Casper. Just so you know, now she’s tasted the seduction of a real man, the rest of the world will never taste the same.”

Casper screwed his face up and made gagging noises. “Tell me, why did you leave your wife?” Kai asked cocking his head to one side and waited for his response.

“That’s none of your damned business,” he snarled chucking the water bottle on the ground and puffing out his chest.

“No, you’re right. It’s not. My apologies.” Kai smirked as he walked away.

“Right, now we’ve had a little rest, are we ready for the next sport?” Stan’s voice rang out loud and clear to the group.

“What is next on the agenda, Stanley?” asked Clara.

Kai glanced at his watch, his thoughts drifted to Myla. He’d rather be sat watching her huffing and puffing over a needle and thread than be stuck here with this lot. He thought about how much had changed between them lately. This time last week he could have quite easily thrown her under a bus, now he’d throw himself under first if it meant saving her. Last week he couldn’t have cared less if he never saw her again, now he was starting to worry if this would end once they landed back in London. She was rumbling through his heart and imprinting onto his soul.

“Cricket,” replied Stan loudly as he set up the cricket stumps, bringing Kai from his thoughts.

Cricket? Oh great!

“You’re up first to bat, Casper, Rhett, you can be the wicket keeper the rest of us will field,” ordered Stanley.

“You know what, I think I’m going to head back and check on Myla,” said Kai.

“You’re going nowhere, we have cricket and then soccer to play yet. Myla will be fine, she has Grace’s dress to keep her busy,” Jack smiled reassuringly.

Rubbing his hand across his neck he sighed. “I haven’t had chance to say this to you yet, Rhett but I want to thank you for making M so happy,” said Grace as she hooked her arm in his and rested her head on his bicep.

“I make her happy?” He questioned.

“Duh, of course. It’s plain to see how much in love you both are, I’ve never seen her smile so much, and that is all down to you. She’s a lucky girl. I can’t wait to see you both get married,” she replied excitedly. She swatted him lightly in the ribs, unlatched her arm and skipped away.

I make he

r smile? A wide grin spread over his face and a warm fuzzy feeling tore through his body at Grace’s words, prompting him to finally man up and come to a decision. I’m going to tell her tonight how I feel about her.