“Which one?” Noah looked at Lani, then to the left and saw Mitch Findlay lurking there. “Why’d you let him talk to her? The guy’s a loser.”
“He’s trying to do better, but it’s not working yet. Now get along, Noah, for pity’s sake. I don’t want her tied at the ankle to Mitch!”
The thought actually made him feel nauseous. A hand in his back pushed him forward, and in seconds he was at the table.
“Of course I don’t mind,” Mrs. C said in a loud voice. “Lani would love to do the race with you, Noah. Now run along, dear.”
“What?” Lani was shuffling paper bags around, trying not to look at him.
“Noah wants you to compete in the potato and spoon race with him.”
“No.” Her head shook so fast, the hat dislodged and slid sideways. “I don’t do those kinds of things. I’m not competitive.”
“Sure you do, and everyone is competitive.” He grabbed her hand as Mitch arrived at the table and pulled her from behind it. “Let’s go.”
Nodding to Mrs. C, he started walking. She had to move or land on her face.
“Let me go, Noah.”
“I don’t have a partner, you’re free, so what’s the problem here?”
“I don’t want to do it.”
“You’ll enjoy it.”
“No… I won’t.”
He ignored her arguments as he walked them up the street to where the other competitors had assembled.
“You can’t force me into doing this.” Lani tried to shake her arm free.
“What’s the problem here? You allergic to fun?”
“It’s not fun if you don’t want to do it.”
Now he could get a good look at her, Noah had to say the short pumpkin-colored dress and green leggings were really something. “You look nice in that.”
“It’s a pumpkin costume, and I’m going back to Mrs. C.”
“But it isn’t two sizes too big.”
“I’m not discussing my clothing choices with you again.”
“You actually choose those clothes?”
“Asshole.”
“And here we are at the start, so you may as well stay.”
“Hey, Lani, don’t bother participating in the race, me and Cubby will win,” Katie called from her place further down the line. Lani stiffened but didn’t add anything.
“You may as well head back, Lani. I mean, I’m not good at this kind of thing, but my man is awesome, so we’ll likely win,” Hope said.
As they walked down the line, everyone heckled them, and with each step Lani’s spine stiffened.
“If you want to head back, I won’t stop you,” Noah said as they reached a gap in line. “I mean, it’s pretty daunting racing these guys if you’re not used to it.”
“Listen to him, Lani, we’ll kick your ass,” Faith said. She was running with Tex.
