Breathe In (Just Breathe, #1)(37)

“She’s the Energizer Sex Kitten,” Nathan laughs out.

This gets all three of them laughing and a hearty giggle out of me.

By the time we hit the showers, Nathan and Jared are in one and Maggie and myself are in another. We’ve got about forty-five minutes to eat and dress before getting to the courts by eight-thirty to meet Henry and Joe. Luckily, dressing isn’t as big of a deal for the boys and they are dressed in record time as I finish packing the soft coolers with water, coconut water, fruit, trail mix and a few snacks for Sadie. Maggie isn’t helpful packing the coolers since she’s more concerned with texting Henry. We all gulp down the smoothies I prepare before we’re out the door.

“Which Tesla should we take?” Jared asks. “Yours, mine or Maggie’s?”

Not looking up from texting, Maggie replies, “I left me keys upstairs.”

All she brought was her phone and small clutch purse which she stashed in one of the outside pockets of the blue cooler.

“Alright. Your’s or mine,” Jared states to Nathan with a seductive undertone.

“Oh, God. Please don’t start now or we’ll never leave,” I poke.

“Mine then,” Nathan says, taking the high ground before smacking me on my ass.

“Cute. Just hope we aren’t on opposite teams today,” I threaten deviously as I put the coolers in the trunk on top of the beach chairs.

We’re at the volleyball courts in just five minutes since there’s nobody on the Santa Monica roads this early on a Saturday morning.

“They should be here any minute,” Maggie shouts as Jared and Nathan put out three folding chairs onto the sand near one of the nets and I start setting up the umbrella.

“Yay,” Jared yells in a mild mocking tone, jumping up and down and clapping his hands.

Maggie sticks her tongue out in protest while Nathan and I laugh.

When the boys and I finish getting the umbrella situated, we turn to see Maggie running to the entry way of the fence towards the parking lot.

“They’re here,” Jared squeals into Nathan’s ear while wrapping one of his arms around Nathan’s shoulders.

As Maggie, Henry and Joe approach the fence, Sadie whines, so I signal her that she can go greet them. Sadie gets to Joe first and is met warmly by him. I’m still perplexed at her response to him — she only bares her belly with the people within our little family. Henry has to let go of Maggie’s hand to pet Sadie, but immediately returns his palm to hers as they resume their way over.

Henry and Joe immediately hug Jared and then Jared makes introductions to Nathan who openly hugs Henry and Joe.

Approaching me, Henry holds out his hand and I shake it happily, “Good morning, Emma.”


“Good morning, Henry,” I return warmly.

My attention goes to Joe next, who can wear workout clothes as well as he wears a suit.

“Hi, Joe,” I initiate with the same smile I gave Henry.

“Good morning, Emma,” Joe returns with a full, elated smile as he reaches to shake my hand.

My lady parts tingle at his warm touch as he lifts my hand to his mouth again.

“Is it just the six of us,” Henry questions.

“For now . . . but we usually pick up a few more as the morning passes,” Nathan replies.

“Cool,” Henry acknowledges.

Joe nods in agreement.

“I’m on Henry’s team,” shouts Maggie.

I swear that Jared, Nathan and I all roll our eyes and shake our heads at the same time.

“Should we have the girls on different teams to make it fair?” Joe questions, which is immediately met with laughter from Nathan and Jared.

I deliberately choose to not respond which could work to my benefit.

“Sure,” Jared eludes in agreement. “We should definitely make it fair.” He and Nathan continue to crack up as Joe appears a little confused.

The air is still cool this early in the morning, but I decided to take my dark grey running jacket off leaving me only wearing a tight white v-neck cotton tee shirt, that makes my natural c-cup sized breasts pop, even in a sports bra, and dark grey spandex capris. I’m always barefoot when I play beach volleyball.

“Hey Joe! Do you want a front view or back view while we play?” Jared inquires loudly.

I glance over at them when I hear Jared’s remarks and spot Joe looking away. Was he just checking me out?

Nathan roars with laughter as Joe blushes a little. Joe was checking me out and I almost blush myself. Maggie and Henry seem too preoccupied in their own conversation to notice.

“You’re right,” Nathan agrees. “He’s totally into her. But, then again, what guy wouldn’t be?”

I shake my head in protest and mild irritation. I should be used to this by now from Nathan and Jared.

We divide up into our teams of three and begin playing. Henry, Maggie and Nathan are on one team and Jared, Joe and myself on the other. With one person up front and two in the back, we volley for the serve as I stand in the back left position. Jared is in front me and purposefully misses the ball when he and Nathan jump up at the net, letting Nathan win. Man, does he have it bad for Nathan.

Henry serves first in my direction. I pop the ball up for Jared who lobs it over the net.

“Come on man. Play the game. Stop flirting with Nathan,” I yell playfully, not letting my competitive nature out too quickly.