Page 72 of Finish Line

On the first curve, I let Shelby take the lead, not ready to push it yet. Dom comes up behind me and tries to pit me, bumping into the rear end of my cart, trying to make it lose traction before going to zip around me.

Instead, I slam on my brakes, and he wipes out.

“Nice try, brother!” I laugh as I push my cart to go faster.

When Cin bumps Nick, he fishtails, and I have to slow down or risk hitting him. In front of me, Shelby and Paige gang up on Sam. We fool around for the first couple of laps, then Shelby puts on her game face, and we get serious.

With three laps to go, Dom takes the lead, followed by Shelby and me. I refuse to lose this race; I know the perfect place to pass Shelby. I’ve watched her go around this wicked curve, and if I take a risk and go outside, I can pass her.

We come up to the curve, and Shelby moves over and slows down a bit. I make my move, hoping I don’t wreck, and floor it.

White-knuckling the steering wheel, I continue around the curve and shoot past her.

“Yes!” Now, I need to speed past my brother. “I’m coming for you, bro!”

“You can try, but victory is mine!” he yells over his shoulder.

With one lap to go, Dom leads, followed by me, Shelby, and Cam left on the track. The others stop, pulling their carts off the track to watch the fun.

I’m not sure why Cam stayed on. He’s almost a half lap behind us and loses more ground as we go. He has no chance of winning.

Dom laps Cam, then Cam pits him, causing Dom to spin out into the grass.

Holy shit! I zoom past Dom.

“You cheated!” Dom yells.

“No, I didn’t.” I point to Cam. “He did.”

Cam shrugs. “All’s fair in love and war.”

Shelby laughs. “Go, Mav!”

I cross the finish line, and everyone cheers.

Shelby comes over and wraps her arms around my waist. “That was so much fun. Thanks, Mav.”

“I’m glad you’re having fun, princess.” I kiss the top of her head.

Next, we play laser tag and break into two teams. Nick, Cin, Sam, Paige, and Dom are on one team, and Luke, Cam, Shelby, and I are on the other.

As the lights go down, we split up. I’m up against two walls with a round pillar in front of me. Cam and Shelby sneak by. I tap Cam on the shoulder, causing him to stop his forward momentum and look up at me.

He mouths, “What the hell are you doing?”

I don’t find anyone when I scan the area. I pull him up by his collar and kiss him.

“Damn, that’s hot,” Shelby whispers from somewhere nearby.

I let go of Cam, and he melts to the floor. I rearranged myself. “Damn, now I have to play with a boner.”

Shelby chuckles as I slink off.

We lose the game.

“It’s your fault,” I tell Cam. “I couldn’t concentrate after that kiss.”

“You didn’t have to kiss me,” he reminds me.

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