Yay! “Thank you, Coach,” I smile.
“I’ll keep you on a similar schedule to what you were doing in Virginia. You’ll run six days a week with specific training at the 400m and 800m with me on Mondays and Wednesdays. Rotate distance with interval training, otherwise. I’d also like you to consider the 200m relay. We’re one person short this year for a team, and I think you could have a decent time if you work at it.”
Considering I’m being allowed on the team over a month late, trying a new distance is the least I can do. “Okay, I can try it.”
“I’ll introduce you to the other 3 girls on Monday, then. Head back out to your friends,” she waves.
“Okay, Coach, bye.” I get up and head out. I’m smiling from ear to ear when I find Nick in the hall. He raises an eyebrow at me. “I’m officially on the track team,” I beam at him, bouncing a bit on my toes.
“Congrats, Shortie.” I think there’s a slight tilt upwards to his mouth. Not a smile, but it’s something.
“Thanks. Um, I need to make a call. Is there a quiet place around here where I can do that?”
Nick smirks and starts walking, so I follow him to room two. He unlocks the door and ushers me in. “Really? Here?” The place I caught him having sex?
“It’s private and quiet,” he shrugs.
“Okay…but I’m not going near those mats,” I point.
Nick chuckles, and it's deep and vibrating. “Fair.” He goes across the room and sits on the floor, putting earbuds in, and l can hear music playing from here.
I take a seat against the wall opposite and call Mal. It’s a little unnerving talking to Jake with Nick in the room, but he doesn’t look up at me once. I update him on everything since Tuesday, including that I made the track team. After I’m done, I glanceup and notice Nick still listening to his music, eyes closed with his head back on the wall, so I send a quick text to Zander letting him know I officially made the track team. Walking over the Nick, I tap his foot with mine. He opens his eyes and puts his earphones away, then we head back to the court. I follow Nick back to our seats. The game is still in the first period as I sit down between Alex and Bay again to watch. This game is not as close as the first one. At halftime, our rivals are up by 20 points.
“So, what did the coach say?” Seb asks.
“I’m on the team,” I announce. The guys all congratulate me. I look around and notice we’re missing Troy and Gabby.
“They went home, Sunshine.”
“Okay,” I say. “Can I ask you a question?” I whisper, leaning forward to reach his ear.
“Of course, Sunshine.”
“It’s probably nothing, but Cara said you were only friends with me because I’m the boss's daughter,” I tell him.
“Dammit, no way,” he swears. “I haven’t talked to her since the cafeteria incident. She’s lying, Sunshine. If I didn’t like you, I wouldn’t be friends with you. My job has nothing to do with it.”
“Thanks for the reassurance, Hurry,” I say, squeezing his arm. “You may want to know she’s telling her friends you were with her Wednesday after practice, though.”
Seb is shaking his head and muttering, so I turn to everyone else. “Do you mind if I read the driver’s manual while you guys watch the game?” Everyone shakes their heads no, so I settle in to read. I’m having trouble getting comfortable now that I’m not invested in this game, but Bay tells me to lean on him, so I do and get through much of the manual again. I’m hoping to be ready to take my test next week. When the game ends, the guys gather up their things. “So, what’s the plan now?” I ask.
“There’s a party tonight, but the basketball team isn’t allowed to go,” E tells me.
“Why don’t we order some pizza and hang out?” Bay asks.
“I’d like to, but I have to run tonight and soak after,” I say.
I hear a grunt and turn to see Seb standing up stiffly. “I think I need to give Seb some of my salt soak and recovery cream, too.”
“Everyone can come to my house. My stepmother is away. Summer, I have a gym you can use, and there’s a tub for your soak in. Seb can use it too,” Alex offers. Everyone is nodding at the plan.
“Okay, I’ll text Zander. Can someone drive me home to get my stuff?”
“Can we have a slumber party weekend?” Seb asks. “Please? I’m injured after all. I need extra comfort,” he says with sad puppy dog eyes.
Nick rolls his eyes but says nothing. Bay nods, and E shrugs as Alex agrees. They all turn to me. “Oh, okay, that sounds fun as long as Zander agrees.”
Seb whoops, punching his arm in the air, then cringes with an “oww.”
