Still catching her breath, Aanya nodded. “Grace, you were so freaking fast! We owe thisWto you!”
I grinned as pride surged through my body. “It was a team effort. We all kicked some serious ass!”
“Nice work, girls,” Coach Bellingham shouted.
Dropping our arms and stepping away from our group hug, we each gave him a high five.
He held up his stopwatch. “Looks like you’re all the new 4x100 record holders.”
I held the baton into the air, and we all cheered again. The Woodhaven students in the stands joined in.
“Nice job, Tim Tebow,” a familiar voice called from behind me.
I spun around and came face-to-face with Preach’s massive smile.
He held out his hand for a high five.
“Tim Tebow?” I asked, slapping his hand.
“Would you rather I call you Babe Ruth?” he asked. “Or James Harden?”
Scrunching up my nose, I responded with a confused, “Huh?”
“They’re all famous left-handed athletes, like you.Duh.”
I busted out laughing. “Aw! Thanks.”
“You seriously killed it out there. Definitely turned some heads.”
A slap on the back made me flinch.
“Nice work,” Clarissa said. “The coach in the stands totally noticed you!”
Preach’s smile faltered, but only for a second.
“Wait, what?” I asked, temporarily ignoring Preach’s response.
“Coach Johns, as in head coach for LSU,” she said. “He’s in the stands and you totally impressed him! My mom is sitting next to him, and she gave me the thumbs-up after your race. If you don’t end up enlisting, I bet he’d snatch you up in a second!”
“I’m already enlisted!” I snapped at her.
She flinched but didn’t say anything.
If I don’t enlist?Exhaling forcefully, like I’d been punched in the gut, I stole a glance into the stands. Sure enough, there was a large man wearing a white polo and khakis with an iPad in his hands sitting in the front row of the bleachers.
“You should come celebrate with us,” Clarissa said, looking directly at Preach. “Preach and I are going to Taste of Rome after we finish up here. I think a few more people might come, too.”
She and Preach are going to Taste of Rome? Together? As in on a date?
Preach shifted his weight. His expression had changed, the smile gone.
Sure, I’d told him I didn’t want to date. But hearing that he might possibly have a date with Clarissa really stung. It surprised me, actually.
Not only surprise, but annoyance. Why the hell did it annoy me?
Because I liked Preach.
Shit.