Page 83 of Devoted Enough

“First up, the sack races,” Brock stated with what I could only describe as an evil smile.

“Gather around, ladies!” Rose called out.

Once in the circle, I noticed Sophia was on my left, Kipton was on my right, and Rose was in the middle.

“Okay, I’m pregnant and not so sure the race is something I should participate in. Anyone else preggers?”

Everyone glanced around the circle, and all eyes landed on me.

“Me?” I squeaked out. “Why are you all looking at me?”

A few of them shrugged as my mother’s eyes went as wide as saucers.

“Well, I can tell you, I’m not pregnant.”

“Anyone else?” Rose asked, slowly scanning the group. Once she was sure no one else was pregnant, she smiled. “Okay. I discovered they are drawing names on who is going up against whom. I want you to give it your all, ladies. We have a streak of winning anytime it is girls against guys.” Her eyes found me again. “Are you prepared to give it your all?”

Sophia cried out, “She is! She’s a fighter!”

Everyone clapped, including my mother.

“Mom? You’re doing the sack races?” I asked.

Giving me a look that said I had just asked a stupid question, my mother laughed. “Of course, I am.”

“But…you just said?”

Waving me off, my mother clapped her hands and cried out, “Let’s beat the guys!”

Rose pointed to my mother. “See, that’s what I’m talking about, people. Get your game faces on!”

They all put their hands in the middle, and I quickly joined.

“On the count of three, women rule. Got it?” Rose asked. “One. Two. Three!”

“Women rule!”

Everyone drew their hands back and clapped, then broke apart. It was then I noticed my mother running in place. My mouth fell open as I watched her start stretching.

“What is happening?” I felt like I was in the Twilight Zone.

Sophia leaned in. “I know. It’s like this weird power that comes over you when it’s game night. I had to play it cool my first time.”

I slowly turned and looked at her. “You had to play it cool?”

With a nod, Sophia said. “Well, yeah, you can’t let them know you’ve got it in you. I advise you to play it like you’re worried, then unleash the dogs when it’s your turn!”

“The dogs?”

“Don’t mind me. I just said the first thing that came to mind. Blame it on the adrenaline.”

“Did you eat or drink something I didn’t?” I asked, looking back at my mother, who was now doing bendovers and touching her toes. “I think my mother had the same thing as you.”

Then I saw Nate. He had his ankle in his hand and was stretching his quads. “Oh my God. They’ve all gone crazy.”

When Rose blew a whistle, I jumped. Since Rose was sitting out the race, she had declared herself the person to announce the teams.

“First up is Lily and Tanner.”

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