The firing pistol goes off, breaking me from my thoughts as Alex squeezes my side. She doesn’t even make sure I’m ready before she pushes me forward. We stumble because I wasn’tprepared, too lost in my thoughts, and not concentrating on the race.
“Seriously, Matt? Get your head in the game. Let’s go!” Alex berates, trying to right our stance.
Throwing our joined legs out, I chuckle and push myself into the motion of running.
Shit! We’re already behind.
One look at Alex and I know I’m in trouble. Her game face is locked in. If I don’t pull it together, she’ll straight-up drag me across the finish line.
I shake off the fog and kick into gear. “Alright, alright, I’m moving!” I shout, half lifting her as we lurch forward. She laughs, wild and breathless as we stumble down the lane.
“Oh my god, we’re so bad at this!” she yells over the cheering crowd. We’re at least five feet behind the rest of the pack and moving like two drunk flamingos, but somehow I don’t even care—she’s laughing, and that’s the only win I want to nail today.
“Malex, Malex, Malex!” the crowd cheers, and I look up as Alex laughs and shakes her head.
“What the hell are they saying?” I call out as she continues to laugh, looking up at me.
“They have shipped us. You know, like Tayvis or Tomdaya.”
I burst out laughing, still trying to run, but my laughter makes my balance falter, and Alex tips into my side a little further than I can hold. “Oh shit,” I yell out, my balance floundering completely, and my body starts to tumble toward the ground, taking Alex with me. She squeals, and I turn my body just in time for me to land hard on my back, causing Alex to fall directly on top of me with a thump. I gasp as our heads bang slightly, but I open my eyes to see Alex lying on top of me, holding her breath.
Her eyes meet mine.
And there it is—the warmth.
People are cheering, but I can’t hear them. It’s like all the sound has stopped around us, and all I can hear is my heart thumping in my ears, pumping so fast as the blood rushes through my veins. My skin prickles in goose bumps while I stare into her eyes. Alex looks back at me, licking her lips slightly, our foreheads only inches apart from each other—our bodies connected in every way. I swallow hard, trying to figure out what’s happening right now. The same energy from the egg incident is back, but this time, I find it harder to question.
My body is so warm, hot even. I’m burning up, and staring at Alex isn’t helping. Her cheeks flush as she lets out a gasp. I bring my hand up to wipe a stray hair away that’s fallen over her face, and she smiles down at me.
“You two are too freaking cute. I think I can forgive you for losing. Now, did you hurt yourselves?” Nora asks, breaking the moment as I shift my gaze from Alex and look beyond her to Nora, who’s standing next to us.
Alex clears her throat and subtly slides off my body to the ground beside me, and I try hard to keep my thoughts straight.
“I’m good, I might have a bruise on my head from doodle bug’s headbanging, though,” I tease, and Alex scoffs, pinching my arm.
“Well, if someone wasn’t distracted, we totally could have made a comeback. I want a trade-in. My partner totally sucks. Augie, I’m with you next round, okay?” she calls out to theSideshow Bob-looking guy.
Laughing, I lean down to untie the knot around our ankles as Augie chuckles and nods at Alex like he’s totally in awe of her. It's pretty much the same as everyone else does around here.
“Thanks for having me here tonight, Nora. I really appreciate you letting me come and participate,” I tell her while finally removing the ropes from around our ankles and popping them into my pocket.
She smiles as I go to stand, and I hold out my hand for Alex to take. She does and moves in next to me, dusting off her ass.
“No, thank you, Matt. We were worried we wouldn’t have a celebrity here after Zaria canceled at the last minute, but you’ve stepped up to the plate so well. Participating in all the activities wasn’t a necessity, but Alex said you’d be up for the challenge, and you’ve done all of them without a fuss and with great humor. So for that, I thank you. You’ve made tonight really special for the women here.”
“My pleasure, and if you don’t mind, I’d like to make an announcement if I can?” I ask.
Alex and Nora both look at me, raising their eyebrows. Nora nods and heads toward the microphone while Alex glares at me like she’s worried I’m going to do something stupid.
But I’m not.
I knowexactlywhat I’m doing.
Nora takes the stand and taps the mic. Everyone turns and looks at her, hushing down as they focus their attention. “I just want to thank you all again for coming out tonight. It’s been a huge success, and it’s been colossal fun with our celebrity guest, Matthew Levine from Recoil, who would like to say a few words. So welcome to the stand, Matt, everyone.”
The crowd cheers, and I wink at Alex, who looks suddenly incredibly nervous as I walk to the stage and clear my throat. “Hi, guys! First of all, a big thank you to Nora for throwing such an epic event. This fundraiser is awesome, and I can’t imagine having a better Saturday night. Rosalie House, from what I have seen and heard so far, is truly remarkable. The women here, now and from the past, are strong, brave, and some of the most beautiful people I’ve ever met.”
I look at Alex as I say that, and she chews on her bottom lip, crossing her arms over her chest like she’s trying to support herself.
