Tanner tries to follow the turn, boots skidding in churned-up dirt. He clips the cone. It goes flying.
The crowd roars.
Someone yells, “FOUL!” like this is professional sports.
I’m laughing so hard I can barely breathe. “Kai, that was evil!”
“It was all strategy,” he says, not even winded.
Tanner snarls and pushes harder, catching up again, and this time, he commits for the shoulder check like he’s determined to send us down.
Kai slows for half a second.
Just enough.
Then he slips sideways and surges forward, letting Tanner’s momentum carry him past. Tanner stumbles over his own feet, fighting for balance, his partner shrieking as they wobble.
Kai takes the opening and accelerates, hands clamped on my thighs like a promise. “We got this, doll.”
The finish line is right there, lights and cheering and Carter somewhere yelling our names. Tanner lunges once more, but he’s a step behind now, too late.
Kai drives us through the line first.
The announcer hollers, the crowd erupts, and I slide off his back on shaky legs, laughing like I’ve lost my mind.
“You’re insane,” I gasp.
Kai is howling with victory. “And you loved it.”
“I did not,” I lie, and Carter’s laugh carries from nearby like he doesn’t believe me for a second.
Carter is there immediately, lifting me off my feet and spinning me in a circle before setting me down. His hands linger on my waist.
“That was incredible,” he says, grin spread wide.
“I thought we were going to eat dirt when he hit us,” I state.
“Please.” Kai appears at my side, barely winded. “I never lose. Especially not to assholes.”
Tanner stalks past without looking at us, his face a mask of fury. His partner trails behind.
I really, truly don’t care.
“And now,” Kai announces, going over to the organizer to collect our prize. Then he’s back in moments, cradling a plush horse nearly as big as his arm, electric blue with a glittery mane and the most ridiculous cross-eyed expression stitched onto its face. I love it instantly.
“For the champion,” Kai says, presenting it with a dramatic bow.
“It’s hideous.” I clutch it to my chest. “I’m naming him Glitter Bastard.”
“Glitter Bastard,” Carter repeats. “A noble steed.”
“The noblest.” I stroke the sparkly mane. “He’s been through a lot.”
Kai grins. “We won you one prize. But I think we can do better.”
“What do you mean?”
He exchanges a look with Carter. “We areverycompetitive.”
