Page 82 of Finish Line

The next morning, I find us tangled in sheets and body parts. I glance around the bed, plotting my escape. I shift, pulling out an arm here, sliding out my leg there, trying to leave without waking them.

“Hmm, where are you going?” Mav mumbles.

“I have to pee,” I whisper, since Cam is still sleeping like the dead.

“Fine, you may go.” He waves his hand, dismissing me in a haughty manner that makes me chuckle and shake my head before he releases my last limb so I can crawl out of bed.

He cuddles with Cam. What a night they gave me.

After showering, Cam and Mav are still sound asleep.

“Come on, sleepy heads.” I shake Cam’s shoulder. “We have a lot to see today.”

“Hmm, no, you wore us out last night.” Cam whines.

“Are you complaining?” I raise an eyebrow, hands on my naked hips.

Mav pops one eye open. “Hell, no… Oh, hello.”

“Go get ready.” I smack Mav’s ass before I dance back out of the way and dart into the closet.

Right as the door latches, there’s a thud.

“Ouch,” Mav says.

I guess he tried to follow me in here. I chuckle to myself.

Grabbing some comfortable clothes, I dress for the day.

When I come back out, Cam and Mav are in the shower, groaning. I laugh as I walk down the hallway to the kitchen.

The rest of the crew is sitting around the counter.

“Morning,” I say happily.

“You look like you enjoyed your night?” Cin snickers.

I look down my nose at her. “As a matter of fact, I did. But I won’t ever tell you why.”

I grab a bowl, spoon, and cereal.

Cin’s eyes light up. “Don’t take this wrong, but you’re more like your old self.”

“I feel more like my old self,” I say. “Last night, I realized I was letting Roger and Evan take things from me by continuing to be scared. So, I decided it was time to claim some of myself back. I worked on getting healthy and regaining my strength. Since I’ve been here, I run most mornings. I’ve been gaining weight but want to work on my karate again.”

Cin tips her head to the side, her gaze taking all of me in. “Well, you have some of your color back and are regaining some weight. Whatever you’re doing is working.”

After Cam and Mav join us and grab their breakfast, I take a steady breath. “I’ve been thinking about coming home with you.” I glance up at everyone. “I think it’s time.”

“If that’s what you want, my dad will be happy to see you,” Nick encourages. “I’m sure your mom will as well.”

“Dad wants me to go back to staying at his house in town when I come home.” Cin frowns. “He doesn’t want me staying at Nick’s place for some reason.”

I snort. “That won’t last for long.” I turn to Luke. “I was hoping to work with you on my karate after school.”

“I’d love to,” Luke says.

Smiling my appreciation, I place my bowl in the sink. “We still have three days left here.”

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