I give him my best game face. “And it’s your last point, you little punk.”
We start batting the ball back and forth, cackling every time the other fumbles it. After a few minutes, I’m not just going through the motions—I’m actually playing the game.
I almost forget that Paige is sitting a few feet away in a string bikini. Almost.
Ilya launches the ball at me again, but I’m distracted by my wife and I miss it. It bounces out of the pool, onto the deck, and rolls down the grassy hill.
“Yes!” Ilya crows, punching his fist in the air. “I did it. I beat you!”
“Calm down, you little beast. The game’s not over yet. Go get the ball.”
He jumps out of the pool, dripping wet and heads off in search of the ball.
“Oh, let him win once, won’t you?” Niki calls from the sidelines. “It’ll do wonders
