Phoenix Maplewood daddy

Drat. Alya hated to lose, but she supposed the boy needed a win more than she did. "You may have mine as well," she told him, working hard not to sound begrudging about it. She mostly succeeded, but Timberlake would likely be able to deduce that she was not happy about having lost their little match.

"What else do you like?" she asked, shifting to lie on her side. Her leg was aching fiercely, but she ignored it for now. "Stories? Wrestling? Hide and go seek?" She hoped he liked the latter two, even though stories would be easier on her. They just weren't as fun as wrestling or sneaking.