I was grateful for the comedic relief.
A few seconds later, Sam pulled out her phone and started having a side conversation with Grace, talking just loudly enough for me to hear Grace whisper, “Dang, he’s got skills.”
She was hunched over Sam’s phone watching something.
“It’s from sectionals last season,” Sam said.
Is she watching a video of the relay?
Me, Oliver, James, and Mateo had an awesome season last year. But not good enough to be watching a freaking video of it.
I went to reach for Sam’s phone, but this time Grace batted my hand away. A smile filled her face as she focused on the phone. “Dang, Cher…you’re fast! Like Dion on the freeway fast!”
Sam burst out laughing. “Are you referencing the best nineties movie of all time?”
“Clueless? Totally.” Grace started laughing, too. “That movie is one of my favorites!”
“Definitely a classic,” Sam said with a grin.
“‘My plastic surgeon doesn’t want me doing any activity where balls are flying at my nose,’” Anaya said before bursting out in a fit of laughter.
“‘Well, there goes your social life,’” Grace replied, joining in the laughter.
I was starting to feel like I was one of the only people who hadn’t seen that movie. I even had to Google the name Cher and failing driving tests to figure out what Grace was talking about when she branded me with my new nickname.
When the laughter finally subsided, Grace’s gaze met mine for a few breaths. Her lips shined as if she’d just licked them, and they captivated my mind. Shiny. Full. Totally kissable.
I shook my head.No. No. No. What was wrong with me?Dream Crushermight be cute, but it would never work out. She’d, no, I mean,we’druined each other’s lives. There was no way we’d be able to get past that and be anything more than…well, whatever we were.
No. I needed to steer clear of her and figure out what I was going to do next year, and—
“Dude. Preach. For real. What’s this shit I hear about you not running track?” Mateo asked. “We can do it this year, but not without you, man. What gives?”
I shrugged.
“So the rumors are true.” Oliver punched my shoulder. “You’re killing me, man.”
I could run, but I wasn’t sure Iwantedto run. With everything going down at home, with Mom and Dad, I didn’t know what the hell I should do,period.
“Excuse me,” Grace said and pushed out of the booth. “Gotta hit the ladies’ room.”
Yet here I was, with Grace and my track teammates, like everything was normal. Like my world wasn’t crumbling around me.
One thing that hit me square in the chest was I had no right to be pissed at Grace. I could be upset about the outcome, but not angry at her. Sure, she’d been in the road, but she was there because she was saving a dog. I mean, talk about being selfless and thoughtful. Grace didn’t make my head hit the glass.
As if on cue, my temple pulsed.
This is your third concussion.
You can’t play hockey anymore.
We used your college money to pay off your mom’s gambling debts.
“The fact you’re sitting here with us says it all, Preach. You want in. I know it.” Sam’s voice yanked me back to reality.
“Not to mention, you were totally drooling over Grace when she and Sam were running laps,” Mateo said with a snarky grin.
Oliver laughed. “Hell, I was drooling over her, too. Big time. She seeing anyone?”