Page 138 of I Blame the Rival

Vector’s confident tone cuts straight through my nervous energy. Wringing my hands together, I can’t tear my eyes away from the group of men rounding the corner for the last lap of the race.

“Come on, Skylar!”

It’s the first track and field meet of the spring season and it’s Skylar’s first track and field meet since high school. I’ve been sweating since I woke up this morning, the stress soaking through my sweater even though I’m not the one competing today.

“Run, Skylar!”

The flash of white hair makes it easy to spot him in the sea of orange and black. He’s running in third place right now, but with the last corner coming up, all the guys are breaking into a sprint.

Screaming at the top of my lungs, I jump up and down, watching Skylar sneak his way to the front. Amber claps her hands over her eyes, only to peek between her fingers as the Saber disguised as a Tiger goes charging through the finish line.

“OH MY GOD! HE DID IT!”

I’m losing my shit, cheering and celebrating with Amber while Vector crosses his arms, looking smug beside me.

“I told you he would make it.”

All the athletes who crossed the finish line have either collapsed on the field or wandered off to stretch, but not Skylar. He doesn’t slow down as he goes running for the bleachers, and pretty soon I’m running too.

We collide on the platform between two levels, the stability of the bleachers just enough to keep me from falling over. Skylar wraps his arms around me, crushing me to his chest as he picks me up.

“You did it, Skylar! You did it!”

I’m screaming and he’s laughing, both of us a sweaty mess. Those beautiful eyes are alight with endorphins and victory when he puts me back down.

I reach out and feel the elation radiating from that smile.

“I’m soproud of you.”

He presses a kiss against my fingers, “Were you nervous?”

I smile sheepishly, raising my arms to show him my pit stains, “There were a few moments of stress.”

“I’ll run faster next time so you don’t have to worry as much.”

“Good. My stamina can’t take the pressure.”

Skylar shakes his head solemnly, “I wouldn’t want that asthma to flare up again.”

I burst out laughing, wrapping my arms around his neck and pressing a kiss to that deadpan face. He kisses me back, the laughter flowing through his body reminding me of just how far we’ve come since that first night at the football stadium.

“I guess this means you’re a varsity athlete now."

He shrugs, “Not really. There was only one thing I was thinking about the whole time I was running out there.”

“Bringing home the W?”

“Running home to you.”

I start blinking rapidly, feeling the tears well up in my eyes. Skylar shakes his head, pressing his lips against mine one more time.

“Let’s go home, Flower.”

Shepherd’s Pie has been confirmed as Skylar’s favourite meal.

“Oh honey, you looked so fast out there!” Amber passes the dish to her youngest son, “I couldn’t believe how easily you overtook those other boys.”

“Mom. I was losing up until the last 100m.”

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