“And…we have a new record for the girls 4x100 at 48.69 seconds,” the announcers screamed over the speakers.
Grace tackle-hugged her team, and they all screamed. This would get them a good spot on that state roster for sure.
I grabbed the flag and wrapped it around their shoulders.
“You did it, Gracie. You did it!”
“Come on, guys. We’re up next!” James yelled.
“Go, Preach,” Grace said. “I’ll see you at the finish line.”
I gave her a quick kiss then bolted toward James, Mateo, and Oliver. This could very well be my last 4x100 as a high schooler. Talk about how things had worked out. Not at all like I’d planned, but still worked out.
As I settled into position, the cheering faded away into white noise.Focus, Preach. Focus.
The gun snapped, and my heart started hammering. Oliver sprinted toward me, fluid, strong, and in the lead! He hit the mark, and I took off.
“Stick!” The cool baton landed in my hand, and I squeezed tight.
Somewhere in the back of my mind, I heard Grace’s voice. Cheering for me. Encouraging me. Pumping my arms, I tore around the bend toward James.
Each pound of my heart sounded like a drum, rattling deep in my chest. My stomach churned and I drew in a deep breath through my nose. Cool, crisp air fueled my tired muscles.
James was in a full sprint.
“Stick!” I yelled, then I slapped that baton into his hand.
He took off like a jet as I finished out my sprint. Hell, we might win this one. It might not get us into state, but you never knew. Things changed quickly this late in the game.
I hustled across the grass to where Mateo was blasting through the finish line, holding up the baton.
We’d won.
“Preach!” Grace jumped at me, and I caught her in my arms. “You slayed that!”
The rest of the gang came up, hooting and hollering. Coach, too.
Coach threw his arm around my shoulder, then huddled everyone close.
“I’m so proud of you all! State record for the girls and you guys, you made a showing. You all came together and created an amazing team!” He glanced at me and winked.
Coach had been instrumental in pulling me out of my funk. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him. I’d probably still be out in the woods drinking with Pax, wasting my God-given talents. I owed him a lot.
“Thanks, Coach, for everything,” I said.
“To Coach!” Just then, a deluge of Gatorade splashed down on Coach and managed to soak me in the process. I spun around and came face-to-face with one of the freshman long jumpers and a few hurdlers, who held an empty cooler in their hands. “Woohoo! We did it!”
“Okay. Okay,” Coach said, shaking his arms off. “Get over there and support our team in the 4x400.” He shook his head, but a smile filled his face.
Still wearing the school flag around her shoulders, Grace came up to me and pulled me into a big hug.
“There’s no one else I’d rather be crossing the line with!” I said.
“I love you, Preach Armstrong.”
She kissed me hard, and I twirled her around.
“I love you, too, Grace Milner!”