Chapter 38 Stop Deflecting
TANNER
Ipull into the parking lot of the pickleball courts and grab my paddle and water bottle. I’m not exactly sure what Wren needs me to do, but I knew coming meant I got to see her, and I will jump at that opportunity every chance I get.
“Hi!” Wren says, waving in my direction. Her whole face breaks into a wide grin when she sees me. She’s standing with a small group of men and women. Each one is over eighty and dressed in tracksuits.
I quicken my pace, jogging across the grass and through the metal gate. Scooping her up, I spin her around and then set her down slowly. Pushing her hair behind her ear, my eyes find hers. “Am I allowed to kiss you?” I ask.
“Maybe a quick peck,” she says, rising up on her toes. Her lips find mine in a chaste kiss.
“You got to kiss her better than that, honey,” a woman with gray hair says.
“Yeah, kiss her like you mean it,” the woman with white hair and a walker says.
“I think we should give the people what they want,” I say, smirking.
“Not at my job,” she says, giggling and swatting me away. “Tanner, this is Mr. Eugene, Mr. Silas, and Mr. Morton.”
“It’s nice to meet y’all,” I say. “And who are these two beautiful ladies?”
Both women blush. “I’m Clara, and this is Ethel.”
“It’s a pleasure,” I say, laying on the charm thick.
“He’s very cute,” Clara says.
“Looks like I might have some competition,” Eugene chuckles.
“You know I only have eyes for you,” Clara says.
“Ms. Clara and Mr. Eugene are dating,” Wren explains.
Ethel moves toward me and starts to study me. “He’s much cuter than that Johnny,” she says. “See, Wren, this is what we meant by eye candy. You should bring him around Dogwood Manor more often. You’re a very lucky girl.”
“I like to think I’m the lucky one,” I say, putting my hand around Wren’s shoulders, tugging her a little closer. She looks up at me and smiles.
“Alright,” she says. “We need to get started or we're going to be late for dinner. Tanner, Ms. Ethel and Ms. Clara like to watch, so I’ll sit over here with them. Usually, Johnny takes the men out and they do some easy drills and then play a doubles game.”
“Sounds easy enough,” I say. “Gentleman, shall we?”
The men join me on the court.
“Why don’t we start by warming up. Arms out, and let’s do some stretches. All three men put their arms out to the side. Following my lead, they begin to do arm circles.
“Good. Alright take your right arm across your body.” I demonstrate and they copy me. “That’s right, and now your left.” We finish stretching our arms. “Alright fellas, we're gonna do a couple lunges.”
Silas seems to be struggling, so I walk over and attempt to help him.
“Step back with your left foot, and lean forward on to your right, bending your knee a little.” I step behind him, helping him keep his balance.
“If I knew there was an opportunity for you to help me stretch, then I would have volunteered to play,” Ethel says.
I let out a laugh and shake my head. These women are a little spicy, and it’s not what I expected. We finish our stretches, and then each takes a spot on the court. For old guys, all three men are actually pretty good at the sport. We play half a game and then break for water.
“Do you ever play?” I ask, sitting next to Wren.
“Johnny usually handles it,” she says.
“We’ve been trying to convince her to play with us,” Morton says. “But she never says yes.”
“Why don’t we switch,” I say. “I’ll sit here with the ladies and you go show the men how it’s done.”
She looks at me.
“Go and play,” Clara says. “Let us spend some time with this man of yours.”
“Go. I could use a break. Morton’s got quite the swing.” I chuckle.
She walks out onto the court, and I move closer to Clara on the bench. “So, how long have you loved our Wren?” she asks, as soon as Wren’s out of earshot.
“Woah,” I laugh. “You ladies don’t waste any time do you?”
“Silas and Morton can never last a full game,” Clara explains. “Stop deflecting and answer my question.”
“We’ve only been together a few days,” I say.
“Oh, please, you have love written all over your face,” she says.
I glance toward Wren. Her ponytail swings behind her as she swings the paddle, hitting the ball back over the net. Silas hits it back towards her, and she misses it. He shouts something at her, and she bursts into a fit of giggles. She looks over at me, so I throw her a wink, and she winks back.
“It’s true,” Ethel agrees. “It’s radiating off of the both of you.”
The both of you. I know without a doubt they’re right about me, and I hope that maybe they’re right about her too.
Wren and the men walk over once the game is finished. “Last time we ask you to play with us,” Silas says, patting Wren on the arm. “You’ve been holding back, sweetheart. You’re a tough pickleball player.”
“I don’t know about that,” she says. “You two gave Eugene and me here a run for our money.”
“You flatter us,” Morton says. “But he’s right. You’re very good.”
“Ladies, y’all sure you don’t want to play?” I ask.
“Oh, no, honey,” Clara says. “You put Ethel and me out there and we’d both be catching a ride back to Dogwood Manor in an ambulance instead of the bus.”
“She’s right!” Ethel laughs. “We just come to watch the athletes do their thing.”
Wren giggles. “Okay, everyone. Time to go home.”
We all make our way over to the bus, and I help Ethel and Clara up the stairs and to their seats. Eugene sits next to Clara and immediately finds her hand. “Thank you for helping my girl,” he says.
“It was my pleasure.”
“Tanner, you sure you don’t want to come back with us?” Ethel asks.
“I’ll have to stop by some other time,” I say. “It was nice meeting you all.”
Wren and I walk back off the bus together and stop at the bottom of the stairs. “Thanks again for today,” she says. “You were a real lifesaver.”
“I’ll always come when you call,” I assure her. “Today was fun. The ladies are a hoot.”
“Oh, yeah, they’re two of my favorites.”
I lean down and cup her face, kissing her gently. Her lips part slightly, and I push my tongue forward. Our tongues tangle, and when she pulls away, her cheeks are tinted pink.
“I’m going to get them back and then I’ll be done for the day. I’ll see you at the apartment.”
“Sounds good.” She wraps her arms around me, and I kiss the top of her head. I watch as she walks up the stairs. “Now, that was a kiss!” Ethel yells, before the doors close.