…
After dancing the night away, we ended up at the Taste of Rome. Teddy’s dad kept it open late for the hockey team and their dates, and of course Preach was invited. They really were an amazing family of players.
Even Pax, who brought some girl from Twin River High named Harlow.
Taking a big bite of a piping-hot slice of cheese pizza, I grinned. “Tonight was amazing.”
Willow nodded and swiped at a piece of cheese dangling from her chin. “Our Senior Prom. Definitely one to remember.”
“Can you believe this all started because this guy,” Brodie said, elbowing Preach, “hit you with his car?”
Preach tilted his head to the side and grinned. “Seriously? You’re going to bring that up right now?”
We all burst out into laughter.
I hoisted up my Sprite. “Here’s to accidents, new beginnings, and the best group of friends a girl could ask for.”
Epilogue
Preach
“You got this, Gracie.” I cupped my girlfriend’s face, then touched a kiss on her lips.
“You’re right. We own this track!” Grace said, then ran off to her teammates. Within a few seconds, the girls were all lined up in their respective spots.
Grace touched a kiss to her charm, then pointed to the sky. She was remembering her brother. Talking to him. Like she did before every race. A chill raked down my spine at the sight of this amazing girl that took Woodhaven by storm.
Tookmeby storm.
She shook out her hands, and her weakened fingers caught my attention. She still wrapped them for support, but she’d come so far in her recovery. Her fingers still hung a little limp, but she was managing, working hard to get back as much strength as she could.
It’d kept her out of the Air Force, but not track. UW-Madison was lucky to have one of the tops sprinters in the country on their team. Talk about all things working out how they should.
The gun clapped, and I threw a glance at Becca as she blasted out of the blocks, already out front within the first fifty meters. A flawless hand-off to Harper helped them gain even more ground.
My heart pounded as if I were running the race myself. I really wanted them to win. To have a great race. I was so nervous!
Grace bent over, getting ready, as she watched the hand-off to Aanya. My stomach clenched and my skin prickled with goose bumps.
“Come on, Gracie,” I said, under my breath. “You got this. Come on.”
Aanya charged onward, and Grace took off.
“Stick!” Aanya passed the baton, and Grace blasted forward.
Perfect form, each stride more powerful than the last. I took off, running toward the finish. I had the shorter route so I could see her finish.
She leaned forward, the tape busting at impact. Her arms flailed as she screamed, holding up the baton.
The girls swarmed her, carrying our school flag. The rest of our track teams, the guys and girls, flooded the track toward her.
“Preach!” she yelled.
I shoved my way through, and she leaped at me. I held her tight and spun three times. “You did it!”
Tears stinging my eyes, my heart hammering, I kissed her hard and fast, then high fived her teammates.
“Yes!”