Love Has The Best Intentions Read Online Free Page B

match to the color of his outfit. As her gaze
roved over the others present, she felt a sinking feeling in the
pit of her stomach. Everyone else appeared to be bursting with
athleticism, the type of obnoxiously fit people who, whenever
conversation lags, might drop to the floor and do twenty
push-ups.
    Where were the uncoordinated architects,
short-order cooks, dentists and art teachers seeking fun and
relaxation? A man nearby picked up a ball and began slamming it
against the wall, using his cupped hand to drive the volleyball
forward. These people looked as though they should be marching
behind their country’s flag in the Olympics, not beginners at The
Fitness Studio.
    Zach’s return interrupted her agitated
thoughts.
    “First serve!” he gloated. “Let’s cream these
guys and you,” the navy blue gaze pierced Becca’s soul, “relax and
let us feast on their feeble attempts at blocking. We’ll try to
cover until you’re into the flow.”
    Which wouldn’t be for at least another ten
years at least, Becca realized, but gamely followed her teammates.
The girl in the server’s position tossed the ball into the air and
hammered it over the net, thus putting in motion the longest night
of Becca’s life.
    Shocked, she heard a whistling sound as the
ball screamed back over the net. Charlie popped it up to a girl,
who, in turn, flicked the ball upwards for Zach’s smashing
spike.
    Her teammates applauded the play
enthusiastically, with Alex saying, “That was nearly a Six-Pack,
Zach, he didn’t see it coming.”
    Zach turned to her, those amazing eyes
sparking with excitement. “What did I say? We’ll cover for you and
let you work into the play. Get ready for a storm, cause we’re
gonna bring the thunder!”
    He faced the net again while Becca gulped in
horror, struggling with the urge to run but judging from the
velocity of the ball and eight teams playing simultaneously, she
feared she’d never make it out alive.
    She’d also never been much for storms.
Shaking her head, Becca realized she had barely been able to follow
the path of the volleyball, much less make a play on it. Once again
she’d jumped into failure with both feet.
    Without a doubt, she was out of her league.
The inevitable moment of truth managed to be delayed, however,
until the third serve of the match when the ball roared at Becca.
She ducked.
    “What’s the matter? Afraid of the ball?”
jeered one of the other girls, a brunette with a frosty eye and
sturdy calves, crouching as the other team prepared to serve.
    “You got that right,” Becca muttered and
gasped as the aforementioned object came whizzing at her again.
    Zach immediately called time out and helped
Becca up from her sprawled position on the floor. “Do I still have
my ear?” she asked in plaintive tones.
    Her teammates all groaned in unison and Zach
winced. “You’re not quite up to this level of play, are you?” he
asked, his voice quiet amid the mutters from the others.
    Becca could only offer a feeble smile If only
she were Alice in Wonderland and simply by eating a magic cake, she
could shrink down to invisibility and escape the hostile glares of
those around her.
    Zach whirled and called the other team
captain over for a conference. Becca stood apart from the others
and watched as they discussed her fate.
    “Either she plays or you forfeit.” The man
sent a malicious grin in Becca’s direction as he spoke.
    Zach spent a few minutes in futile argument
before returning to his team. “You heard the verdict. They’re going
to hardnose it.” He looked at Becca. “I know you lack the
experience at this level of play, so are you going give it a try or
shall we all go home? I warn you, it’s very easy for an
inexperienced player to get hurt. These guys and gals play
rough.”
    Zach had taken the noble route, leaving the
decision up to her. Becca gritted her teeth with determination. If
she’d only stuck to one form of exercise instead of flitting around
like a