Running From You

Chapter 47

NORA

"Drive your arms!" coach Wheeler yells at me as I reach the second bend of the track. "Push it! That's it!"

My legs are starting to tire but I clear the curve and drive my arms and legs harder as I accelerate. I'm full-out sprinting when I'm on the last straight, my eyes on the finish line where assistant coach Patterson is holding a timer.

"All out!" coach yells and I give it my all as I near the end and then lean across the line at full speed. "Yes, that's it!"

"54.12," coach Patterson announces with a large smile.

I nod, satisfied. Two tenths of a second slower than my time at regionals, but I do thrive in competition, so I'm sure I can shave off the time when the time comes.

"Good work" coach Wheeler smiles widely. "You have a good shot at medalling, a really good shot. All three of you do," he nods toward Evan and Tyler, who're doing repeats of fifty meter sprints from the blocks.

It's been a week since the regionals and we've been at the track every single day. Only six days left until the state meet next weekend, and I'm feeling really good about myself, really feeling all the practices lately.

The only dark cloud hanging over my head is the situation with Tyler, if you can even call it that.

He's been great, not bringing it up since the beach, but I feel awful about not being able to give him my full trust and basically keeping our relationship at an arm's length when he's ready to go all in. I've been venting about it to Olive almost daily, and she's been way more patient and understanding with me than I probably would be in her stead.

"Take a small break and then three hundred meters flat out and the last hundred jogging. Four times," coach snaps me out of it.

"Yes, coach," I nod and take a sip of my water bottle. It's only the beginning of May and already eighty degrees outside, the sun heating the track and making me sweaty and thirsty.

I shake out my longs limbs and walk to my starting block. I give it my all for the duration of the next hour and when coach Wheeler finally blows his whistle and announces the practice over, I collapse on the fake grass.

Evan and Tyler join me shortly, as do Jordyn and the junior, Ian McDonald, who also made it to states. We've been having extra practices all week, just the five of us.

"I'm so tired" Evan whines, stretching his arms and almost hitting me in the boob with his elbow in the process.

I scowl in irritation, which only makes him grin and drop his heavy arm on my face.

"Get your sweaty troll meat off me!" I turn my head to glare at him so he's no longer pushing down on my nose. I'm too tired to lift my own arms to take care of the problem.

That only makes him laugh harder. "Troll meat? Really?"

"Yes, really," I huff, not appreciating him laughing at my discomfort.

A strong arm reaches over me and slaps hard at the troll's hand, which earns a yelp and the pressure is lifted from me.

"Thank you," I roll my head in the other direction and smile sweetly at Tyler, who's looking quite amused. His fingers find mine and he intertwines them.

"Anything for you, baby," he replies smoothly, earning a long suffering groan from my other side.

"No. No, no and no. Nope." Evan suddenly rants loudly, covering his ears with his large hands.