Page 90 of The Ones We Fight For

“What would we do? We didn’t really think of anything ahead of time,” Colin pointed out. Walker looked over at her curiously, and Talia bit her lip, not exactly sure where she was going with the idea. She couldn’t think of anything on the spot.

“Tal, remember those kids at Lydia’s with the carts last week?” Walker’s eyes lit up with excitement, and Talia tilted her head to the side in thought before she remembered what he was talking about.

“You want to race shopping carts?” She laughed, considering the idea for a moment before turning to face the rest of the Hartricks. “We could do teams? A relay? Has anyone done that before?” Five heads all shook at the same time. “All right. I’ll warn you now, then. You’re all going down!”

???

Laced metal dug into Talia’s butt as she wiggled around to get comfortable in the bucket of the cart, feet hanging over the front. Her hands gripped the sides in anticipation as she looked next to her, where Amala was sitting criss-cross applesauce in her own cart. Roscoe stood at the ready behind his wife, his hands gripping the bar. Piper waited next to her siblings in the parking lot, a stopwatch in hand as Jayla and the rest of the Hartrick siblings lined up along the outer edges of the path they had created, complete with several of Piper’s soccer cones for weaving and doubling back.

“We have to win, or Amala will never let me live this down.” Talia tipped her head back to look up at Walker, who was gripping the push bar of her cart and staring down the way with pure determination.

“You still think our idea’s a good one? What if you get hurt?’” Walker’s eyes raked over her as if she was already injured.

“If I get hurt, you’ll just end up taking care of me.” Talia smiled playfully, and Walker lightly shoved her shoulder.

“This is insane.”

“Insane enough to work. You know the biggest issue everyone’s been having. This could solve that. Look at the way she’s sitting,” Talia mumbled under her breath and nodded her head at Amala. Walker followed her gaze and grinned. None of them were dumb enough to think Amala couldn’t be in the relay because of her massive pregnant belly, but what did seem to be a problem with everyone thus far was getting out of the seat to switch with a relay partner.

“We got this,” Walker whispered, brushing a strand of hair out of Talia’s face. “You got this. Just land on your feet.”

“I’ll do my best.” Talia sighed, trying not to read too much into every touch.

“Everyone ready?” Carter asked, making his way to the front, where he stood directly between the two shopping carts.

“We’re ready to win!” Amala shouted.

“You wish!” Talia called back.

“Roscoe, let’s make this interesting. Fifty bucks says that team Ponytail-Walker wins,” Walker said, and lightly tugged on Talia’s hair. Talia grinned excitedly, leaning forward a little in preparation for takeoff. He had faith in their abilities as a team, and she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of pride. Just hearing him use her nickname in combination with his own like they were an unstoppable duo made her feel powerful.

“You’re on,” Roscoe retorted.

“On your mark,” Carter yelled, holding a white shop rag in the air like a raceway flag. “Get set…” Carter dropped the makeshift flag. “Go!”

The grates shook underneath Talia as the cart flew forward, Walker sprinting toward the first fluorescent orange cone. Talia focused on leaning when they came up on the cone so they wouldn’t tip at the high speed they were cruising at. Roscoe and Amala were neck and neck with them on the other side, flying through the turns with ease. She and Walker hadn’t yet made it to the part of the course that would hopefully put them in the lead, but Talia was ready. It was silly how determined she was to win, but she couldn’t help the feeling that if she did win, it would be proof that she and Walker could do anything if they were together.

“Okay!” Walker shouted as they came to the end of the lot. “Three… two… one!”

The back of the cart lifted off the ground, and Talia pushed off the sides, launching into the air. There was a moment of panic and flight before her feet hit the ground, but it vanished when she touched down safely. Quickly, she ran around to the back of the cart as Walker flung himself into the basket, and they were off again. Her shoes hit the pavement hard as she bolted toward the finish line with Walker in tow. She had no idea how close Roscoe and Amala were but feared that looking back would only hinder her capability to push forward. Zoning in on the bar vibrating in her hands and the sound of the cart shaking against the ground, Talia pushed herself harder.

“And time!” Piper announced when they crossed the chalk line on the ground. Both Talia and Walker jerked their heads around to find Roscoe and Amala flying into the finish line mere seconds behind them. “It’s a new record, beating Colin and Cooper’s previous time by two-point-six seconds!”

“You did it!” Walker heaved himself out of the cart and ran around the back, picking Talia up off the ground and hugging her torso tightly as he spun her around. It felt like flying. Her heart and her body felt lighter than air in his arms as he gently set her back on her feet.

“We did it!” Talia corrected when Walker pulled away slightly to look into her face. His smile spread even further, and he dipped his head down beside her ear, pulling her into his chest again.

“I’m going to get help, Tal. And when I do, you’re going to know exactly what you mean to me. I’ve never wanted anything more than I want you. I’m going to figure out how to have you and how to prove to you that you’re worth it.” The hot air of his breath tickled the shell of her ear, and a shiver ran down her spine as his voice grew raspier. “Then, if you’ll let me, I’m going to make sure you finish next time. I’ll watch you fall apart in my hands until you’re begging for it again, because the way you looked on top of me tonight was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. I won’t let clothes get in the way next time. There will be nothing separating you from me, and I’m going to have you moaning my name so loud you won’t be able to breathe. Until then, I’ll be thinking about that black set you were wearing on our date and how badly I want it to be on the floor of my bedroom.”

“Walker,” Talia felt her face flush, her breathing going shallow. Want. She was wanted. Walker wanted her.

“Shh, not yet. I’d rather hear you say my name when it’s time,” Walker murmured. “I promise you’re going to know when.” Then he let go, turning around to face the rest of the group, who were none the wiser to his arousing speech or the way her underwear felt suddenly slick with lust as he said, “Who’s ready for cupcakes?”

Chapter 33

Walker

Walker slumped into his usual seat on the couch at Roaster’s Republic and groaned. Talia looked up from her spot beside him and blissfully took another sip of her coffee. Her eyes met his with an air of confidence that made him desperate to kiss her again. The flirtation since their encounter was a never-ending stream of innuendos and charged brushing of fingertips. Two months was entirely too long to not have Talia splayed out on his bed, and the sexual frustration was actually starting to chafe, like maybe he was breaking out into hives from lack of touching her. Was that possible?

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