15. Linda #2
"Wait, no," Darius protested, holding up the shirt he had already been given. He flipped it around to show the back. "I like mine. It says CHAMPION right here."
"Ugh," Owen hissed, clutching his chest. "Not those dull navy-blue shirts again. They look like team-building uniforms from a corporate accounting seminar."
"At least I don't have to wear sunglasses just to look at you now," Martin joked, eyeing Owen’s blindingly bright toucan shirt. The three men shared a look; they knew exactly what kind of day this was going to be.
"Okay, Hearts Hotel team!" Maggie called out in her best, crisp drill-sergeant voice. "Line up! It’s time for a team briefing!"
"We have the activity rotation for the day," Michael added, stepping up beside her with a whistle dangling from his neck.
"We’re going to divide everyone up based on who thinks they can actually perform.
There are strict limits on how many team members can participate in each heat, so choose your battles wisely. "
Maggie pointed toward a large cardboard box Michael had placed on the table and looked at the teen girls. "Sophia, Lily, Emma, can you please hand out the shirts?"
"Sure thing, Captain!" the girls chorused, diving into the box and offering each person a choice of sizes.
"How many shirts did you print?" Darius asked, clearly impressed. "And when did you manage to get them done so fast?"
"We did them yesterday," Maggie said with a nod. "I have a very reliable contact in Sanibel who owes me a favor."
"Hi, everyone!" Pete greeted them, wheeling two large whiteboards toward the tent. "Here are the competition brackets you requested, Maggie."
"That’s Captain Maggie today, Pete," Maggie corrected him, her eyes narrowing sternly.
Pete pulled a face. "Sorry... Captain Maggie." He rolled his eyes toward the sky. "Good luck, everyone. Try to have a fun day." With a wave, he ambled off to attend to his other guests.
"Will do!" the group chorused.
Maggie blew her whistle once more, silencing the chatter. "Listen up! This is not 'fun,'" she told them, her posture rigid. "This is war!"
"Yes," Michael shouted, pumping a fist into the air. "We are in it to win it! Say it with me..."
"WE’RE IN IT TO WIN IT!" the group echoed back.
Darius looked at Linda, who was now giving him a smug, knowing smile.
"I’m starting to see exactly what you meant about them being captains," he muttered.
"Yup," Linda said with a satisfied nod, patting his arm. "And it is only going to get worse from here."
Before Darius could respond, Penny interrupted. Maggie immediately pulled a clipboard from her bag.
"Hoo, boy," Penny whistled softly, watching the scene. "I see Maggie and Michael have officially entered drill-sergeant mode. This is going to be interesting."
"I think there is going to be a clash of wills in our team," Isabel said, shaking her head as she stepped up to Linda’s other side.
"Why do you say that?" Linda asked, frowning.
Penny didn't give Isabel a chance to answer; she whipped out her own shirt.
"As I was the one who went to help Maggie pick up the order, I made sure they had one printed for me, too.
" She had already donned the navy-blue "VICE-CAPTAIN" shirt and stepped up to stand in formation with Maggie and Michael.
"Yes," Maggie confirmed, looking pleased. "Penny is officially our vice-captain."
"That is exactly why," Isabel said to Linda, with a sharp snort. "Penny is just as fiercely competitive as I’m beginning to realize Michael and Maggie are. Our team is going to be a powder keg of ambition."
"Mmm," Linda agreed with a sigh. "I am officially so glad I brought that bag of popcorn."
"Ohhh," Isabel said, a mischievous idea forming. "I brought us some cool folding lawn chairs. We can feign minor injuries, sit back, and just watch the show."
"Oh, I do like the sound of that," Linda told her with a grin and noticed Maggie starting to tap on her clipboard. “Looks like the games are about to begin.”
“What should we go for?” Isabel whispered.
“I think the classic clumsy knock into each other and then act dazed,” Linda suggested.
“Nice,” Isabel said. “I take the twisted ankle.”
“I’ll go for banged head and sore wrist,” Linda told her conspiratorially.
“Great, we’ll wait for the first activity to begin, then go over to watch,” Isabel planned.
“We’ll take it from there,” Linda smiled. Their plan to appear willing while secretly avoiding the games was set in motion as Michael stepped up to speak.
“Okay, let’s get this show on the road as the games are about to begin," Michael called out.
Penny stepped up to the whiteboards that had already been prepped with the day's activities and were just waiting to be filled with player names and scores.
Maggie’s eyes scanned the board with ruthless efficiency before softly conversing with Michael and Penny.
Maggie suddenly looked up.
"Okay, Darius, Martin, and Owen, you three are the core of our volleyball lineup. I’ve scouted the competition, and the Sanibel crew has a ringer. Don’t hold back." She pointed to the volleyball court. “Court one. You have ten minutes to prepare.”
“Make us proud,” Penny told them.
"Understood, Vice Captain," Martin muttered, though his eyes sparkled with a competitive heat. He turned to Owen. "Come on, Toucan.”
"Uh… Who put you in charge?" Owen shot back. “Shouldn’t we vote?”
“Who won the last volleyball match for us?” Martin asked him. Owen didn’t answer. He looked away, making Linda laugh. “Exactly!” Martin gave a satisfied nod then turned to Darius. “Do you have any objections?”
“No, volleyball captain,” Darius said with a grin and shook his head. “Lead the way. Let's smoke that other team.”
“That’s what I like to hear,” Maggie called. “Team spirit. Remember, don't lose.”
“Gran,” Toby said, rolling his eyes. “There are other places like second and third.” He gave her a pained look.
“Did I say we’re taking second or third place, sweetheart?” Maggie looked at him with raised brows and he backed away.
“No, Gran,” Toby said, snorting. “Geez, you really are bossy.”
“Yeah,” Linda backed that up with a teasing light in her eyes. “You’re very bossy, Captain. And there is nothing wrong with second place.”
“Is it as good as first place?” Penny asked, backing her captain.
“What a suck-up,” Isabel mumbled.