Those eyes that tease at being blue and green settle on me, warm and so intentional it reminds me of the way he’d looked at me at the party before he came over and kissed me like I was all he saw. “I wouldn’t want you to try and slow them down. I wouldn’t want them to have a single damn excuse when we beat them. But Palmer’s got this. I’m running with you. We’re here to help you prepare for your speech on Monday.”
I shake my head. “But you have a chance to beat him.”
He shrugs. “It’s not that big of a deal.”
“I’m going to run with Hannah. Beat them and get a small dose of revenge.”
Indecision wars in his gaze.
I nod. “Go beat them. I’ll meet you at Camden’s feet.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’ll be mad at you if you don’t win.”
He chuckles.
Someone calls Nolan’s name which has his attention turning to the team. Something passes between them that has Nolan lifting a finger to indicate he’ll be right there. He takes an inhaler out of his pocket and takes a quick pull. “You know the route?”
I nod.
His gaze tracks over my face. “And they told you that you have to rub Camden’s toe to call time, right?”
I nod again.
He nods in return. “Let me see your phone.”
I don’t even bother asking why, relinquishing it to him while trying to recognize this light feeling in my chest that makes breathing easier and harder at the same time.
“I’m putting some of the guys’ numbers in your phone in case you get separated or anything happens. Pops is going to stay near the back to make sure everyone’s good. Callum will be pacing the freshmen to make sure they don’t do anything stupid.” His attention jogs between my phone and his as he continues entering more numbers. “I’m sending them your number, too.” He straightens, looking at Ethan. “Are you competing?”
Ethan shakes his head. “I appreciate you thinking I could catch you or Palmer.”
Nolan offers a fraction of a smile. “Make sure you keep an eye on them. People do most of the shoving at the beginning.”
Ethan nods. “Colin, Sam, and I will be a wall,” he assures him.
Nolan nods, his gaze skirting to me again as the announcer calls for the athletes to line up.
“Go,” I tell him. “Beat him.”
Chapter15
Nolan
Istand near the front of the group, where the announcer prompted participating athletes to stand, knowing this is just as much a matter of pride among the teams as it is a fundraiser.
I glance in Hadley’s direction again. She’s listening to Ethan, a smile claiming her face.
The emcee announces the countdown is about to start, and my attention moves to the stage and then to the soccer team. I have zero reservations that my neighbor tries to drive me up a fucking wall. His habits and hours are too intentional to be innocent. Hudson assumes it’s because their team is so vastly underfunded compared to football or basketball, Palmer assures it’s jealousy because they don’t draw the crowds or attention we do. Even lacrosse and rugby draw larger crowds than men’s soccer.
The countdown starts and people inch forward. The second the bell rings we set off at a sprint through downtown. Palmer’s the fastest guy on our team, but as we race down the sidewalks in the direction of the cookie shop, we’re a pack, a couple of guys from the soccer team and the basketball team pacing with us.
We stop to do jumping jacks at the first corner, sing at the next, spin in circles, and then do pushups before reaching the parking lot of the cookie shop where volunteers cheer for us. Tables are set up with bags of cookies.
I tear open a yellow sack, the scents of sugar barely registering as I stuff two cookies in my mouth, chewing like my position on the team relies on this race. I’m finishing my final cookie when my blinders drop and I notice Sam at the table across from me, munching on a cookie. I glance at his sides, the table in front of him and behind him, not spotting Hadley or Hannah, and realize ass face ditched them.
I take the glass of water a volunteer hands me and hand it to Palmer. “Fucking win,” I tell him.