Page 32 of Fake Dates and Home Plates
I give everything I have left.
And when I cross the line, I know I’m first.
I stride out, making sure I clear the path for all the other runners before stopping. My hands land on my knees as I try to catch my breath with my chest on fire.
It’s not my best time, and I’m sure I could have fixed my form, but I don’t really care.
As I stand, I hear it.
A voice that’s loud and familiar.
“THAT’S MY GIRL! HENLEY HARKIN, YOU’RE MY HERO!”
Lifting my head, I find Theo. Despite still recovering my breath, I huff out a laugh as he sprints toward me.
He doesn’t just stop in front of me.
Nope. Theo still has his sign, though it’s folded up in one hand, as he lifts me with the other. He picks me up like I weigh nothing as my legs settle on his hips.
He finally drops the handmade sign to steady me with his other arm. I’m sure we look insane right now, but I don’t care. He doesn’t seem to mind I’m dripping in sweat and smell terrible.
And right now, I don’t care about anything except doing what I’ve wanted since he ended our last kiss.
Like he can read my mind, he turns his hat around so I see his entire face.
“I think I’ve earned a kiss, Baseball Boy,” I tell him with hope in my voice.
He smiles. “Fuck yeah, you did, Getaway Girl.”
My hands cup his cheeks as our lips meet, and I hold back a moan.
“Hey, so I hate to interrupt this movie-worthy moment, but Coach wants us back at the tent before medals.” Lily’s voice ruins the moment like she’s splashed cold water on my head.
I let my forehead fall against Theo’s chest with a groan. “Damn it.”
Theo laughs before setting me down and pressing an unexpected, quick kiss to the top of my head. “Go. I’ll wait for you.”
Forehead kisses. Okay, that might be a turn on I wouldn’t have guessed for myself.
“If you want to meet us back at Shoreline, some of the team and whoever they invite are going out for lunch together.” I invite him even though I’m hesitant he’ll say no.
Or maybe worse—he’ll say yes just for appearances.
“Sure. I can meet you back at the school so you can ride with me, or are you riding with your parents?” he asks.
Since we take a bus to our meets as a team, we’ll all have to head back to the athletic building to grab our things and shower first. Normally, I’d ride with Lily, but she’s giving me a nod of encouragement to accept his offer.
“I’ll ride with you if you don’t mind waiting for me to rinse off,” I tell him.
He grabs his sign from where he dropped it on the ground. Then, he winks at me. “See you soon, Getaway Girl.”
I don’t bother to disguise my appreciation of his backside as he walks away. His basketball shorts sit perfectly on his hips, and his shirt clings to his back.
Sighing, I turn to walk with Lily back to the team tent but realize our audience has two very excited members watching.
My parents.
Who look absolutely delighted with what they’ve just witnessed.
