Fallen Crest Forever (Fallen Crest Series Book 7)(18)

I moved on the side until I neared the head of the pack. Some girls noticed, but I held back until we were at the half point of mile five. Then I surged ahead, still running on the side, but bridging the gap between the team and Faith and Raelynn. We were rounding the last quarter mile when they noticed me. I was right behind them, almost on their heels, and this time, I looked ahead.

If I were right, Coach Langdon would be there. And when we cleared a set of trees, I saw him waiting, consulting his stopwatch.

It was time.

I put my head down and moved around the last two girls.

They surged ahead, but I kept going.

I kicked it up to my normal pace, but Faith and Raelynn could handle their own, at least for this distance. They stuck next to me until we surged past the coach. Then they dropped to a walk, but I kept running in place. I wanted to do more.

He checked his watch as he walked over to me. “Well, you’re definitely on the team. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that everyone had faster times than usual.” He eyed me running in place. “You’re still hoping to run?”

I nodded. “I didn’t know the route.” I smirked. “I do now.”

He eyed me, cocking his head to the side. “Martin said you’d have good times. I expected that. I thought you’d keep with those two.” He gestured to Faith and Raelynn, who were stretching as the rest of the team trickled in. “Did you hold back?”

I wasn’t going to boast, so I shrugged. “Just let me do my thing. You won’t regret it.”

He seemed to mull it over before he nodded. “I’ll send the girls in and wait. You do another five. Blow me away with your times, Strattan.”

That was all I needed.

This time, I ran for myself.





The second run didn’t take as long.

I soared past Coach Langdon, and he showed me my time, shaking his head. “What year are you?”

“Junior.” I pulled my leg up behind me, stretching my quad.

Taylor waved from the curb. She’d showered and had two cups sitting next to her. I could smell the coffee from where I stood. Its aroma mingled with my sweat.

“Why are you joining this year? You wasted two years, Strattan.”

I gulped, lowering my leg. “There were reasons.”

He snorted, heading back to the building. “You’re on the team. Your friend too. We run in the mornings and at three every day. Meet here by seven thirty and meet at the running track at three. Our first meet is in two weeks, but I have no worries about your performance. Hydrate. I’ll have a meal plan for you later.”

He nodded as he passed Taylor, who stood and brought over the coffee. “I made the team. Did you hear?” She offered me a cup.

Hearing the excitement in her voice, I grinned. “Did you really think you wouldn’t make it?”

She lifted a shoulder, sipping from her cup. “I wasn’t sure what I was getting into. But I’m happy. Logan will flip for me.”

I laughed. “He’s going to buy some kind of ATV and follow us. You know that, right?”

Her lip tugged up. “You’re right. He’ll blast music, and he’ll have towels, water, and protein snacks for us.”

I nodded. I expected more than that. “Nate will be with him too.”

“And Jason.”

“We’re bringing our own fan club to the team. Now they’ll really love us.”

“Man.” Her eyes lit up. She glanced over my shoulder, and I turned. Some of the girls were coming out of the building. All were showered, and some held their own coffees as they laughed together. I waited, but neither Faith nor Raelynn came out behind them.

“If you’re looking for the two divas, you missed them,” Taylor said. “Not that they threw a big scene, but when you took off, no one said a word. It was complete silence. I think everyone was waiting for an explosion, but then those two just stormed off. They were the first to leave, and they were pissed.”

I wasn’t that surprised, but I didn’t get to say anything. Courtney, Grace, and Nettie were coming over. Courtney was grinning now, almost as wide as the other two.

Grace gushed first. “You’re a bitch. You let us think you were the bartending staff at that party.” She punched me lightly. “We had no idea you were Mason Kade’s girlfriend, and oh my God—Faith and Rae are livid. We’ve been hearing about you, but you never joined the team. They thought they were clear to take the top two spots. Now they gotta fight like the rest of us.”

Courtney touched my arm, jerking her head to the side.

I frowned, following her.

“Be careful,” she said once we were a few steps away.