Once Clark isn’t within earshot, Kane comes to my side. “How’s your bedroom?”
“I get to share a bathroom with Clark and Corin.”
He chuckles. “Lucky you.”
“Maybe this was a bad idea? They took our cell phones.” I cringe, and he laughs.
“I’ll admit your dad usually planned something a little posher, with catered meals and an ample amount of alcohol. I’m scared Clark is going to tell us we have to hunt for our food if we want to eat.” Kane runs a hand through his hair.
For the millionth time today, I ogle him for a moment. My willpower is waning. I know it. Hell, he probably knows it. The fact that he doesn’t want kids only pulls me to him more. At one point, I thought we couldn’t be compatible because we wanted different things out of our lives, but what if that’s not the case?
Kane said to come to him when I was ready, that he wouldn’t rush me. But everyone has a breaking point, and I’m mindful that he won’t wait forever for me.
Clark comes back out of the house. “Who’s ready for our first team-building activity?”
The entire team groans.
“Enough. Make the most of this.” Kane uses his authoritative voice. The same one I imagine he perfected when he was taking care of his younger brother.
I smile at him.
“What?” Kane looks at me, a small frown marring his face.
I shake my head. “Nothing.”
“Blindfolds!” Clark says and tosses one to each group.
“Not how I’d like to use a blindfold,” Kane murmurs next to me, his arm brushing mine.
I can’t help but smile. Me neither.
I catch the blindfold Clark throws at us, a dozen ideas coming to mind about how I could use it other than whatever he has planned. Especially with Jana standing next to me. She hasn’t said a word about us since that night in Chicago. I told her I’d give her the time she needs, and I will. She’s worth it.
Clark puts together teams of four, and I end up with Jana, Tweetie, and Cory. Aiden, Ford, Maksim, and Warner are all on a team, which is completely unfair, but they’re our starters and having them be a cohesive unit is important. The other teams are a mix of guys. Clark leads us to a large mud pit with a bunch of wood beams built across it.
“Suck it up. Let’s go.” Ford gives Warner his version of a pep talk.
I can’t put myself in Warner’s place, but I’m sure it sucks having to be away from his family. Still, he has a commitment to the team, and he needs to be here and participating.
“Okay, each team member has to get across the beam and back blindfolded while the person after them directs them through the exercise. First team to have all four members done wins. Now, strategize with your team and pick your order,” Clark directs us.
“Let’s get Jana across first,” I say.
She shakes her head. “I’m not going first. I want to go toward the end.”
Tweetie raises his hand. “I’ll go first, but these are new sneakers, so do not let me end up in the mud.”
“I’m pretty sure we’re all gonna be in the mud at some point this weekend.” I shake my head at him. “Okay, Tweetie, Cory, Jana, and I’ll go last.” I’m dictating, which isn’t really how this should go, but now that I’m the coach, I’m having a hard time not being the decisive one in a group.
Ford’s team is next to us, and they’re all huddled and whispering.
“This isn’t for the Cup, boys,” Tweetie says.
Maksim flips him off with his hand that’s on Aiden’s back.
“Okay, enough planning. Let’s go. Number one, put your blindfold on,” Clark shouts to everyone.
Tweetie pulls his over his eyes, and Warner puts one on next to us.
“You can put your first foot on the beam,” Clark informs them. “Ready and GO!”
It’s hard to hear with everyone screaming, but immediately, two players at the far end are in the mud, swearing and yelling at their teammates.
“Tweet, just stay straight. Don’t rush. Slow and steady,” Jana says in a calming voice. “Move your right foot to the left a bit. That’s it!”
“Warner, come on, man,” Aiden says. “Move faster.”
“It’s really not about speed,” Cory says to the group of four beside us.
Ford puts up his hand. “Mind your business, Jet.”
“I’m just saying, he’s already teetering,” Cory continues.
I gotta hand it to the guy. He’s talking trash, but he’s doing it under the disguise of being helpful.
“Again, Jet, we got it!” Ford’s flustered, and I inwardly chuckle.
Tweetie makes it back to us and hands the blindfold to Cory. Warner is only a few steps away.
“Let’s remember my nickname.” Cory winks at Maksim, who’s getting ready to go once Warner is off the beam.
“Love the confidence, Cory,” Jana says. “Now go.”
Cory barely needs any guidance, as though he was a gymnast back in the day. It’s amazing to watch him slowly but surely make his way across. Maksim is oddly balanced on his beam though and is making good headway.
Cory returns with a huge lead, jumping off the balance beam with the same sureness as he skates on the ice. Jana quickly puts on the blindfold, and way too many visuals spring to mind. I struggle to direct her at first.
“She’s got no shot against Aiden,” Ford razzes.
“I’m still your boss, Ford,” Jana calls.
“You need to slow down, Jana,” I shout. “You’re going to go over.”
“Then direct me,” she says with that edge in her tone.
“Feel that breeze, Jana? That’s Aiden passing you,” Ford yells.
Jana flips him off, making her teeter a little before she regains her balance.
Ford eyes me. “Looks like it’s me and you, Coach.” He winks. I’ve never witnessed an ego as large as Ford’s. Then again, that’s what makes him the player he is. “Warner, get off your ass and direct me!”
Warner stands after sitting the whole time after his turn and watching the group wordlessly.
“You’re here, now jump,” I tell her.
Jana leaps instead of jumps, but she makes it. Then she’s taking off the blindfold and putting it on me.
I lean down to whisper in her ear so no one will hear me. “Just so you know, I’m stealing this, and if you want to visit my little time-out cabin tonight, I’ll have it with me.”
“Stay on task, Coach Burrows.” She smacks my ass to get me going.
“Ford’s gone. You gotta go,” Tweetie says.
The darkness takes a minute to get used to. I thought this would be easy, but fuck if I can’t get one foot in front of the other.
“You’re not really stepping. You’re just sliding your feet!” Cory yells.
“I know what I’m doing.”
God, this sucks. I’m an athletic guy. How can I not figure this out? I’m so busy ridiculing myself that one foot slips and I hold out my arms to steady myself.
“There you go. Get your balance back, Kane. You got this.” Jana’s voice stands out from the others, and I follow her directions. “You’re at the end, don’t go any farther. Now turn around slowly.”