Chapter 9 – That Summer, Dupree Family Spartan Race Training—Pick Your Partner Day #2
“Oh, sick,” Blaze said, offering him a low five like Theo and I were interchangeable. We were not. He shrugged at me. “Sorry, bro.”
I groaned.
“That’s me, Bowen,” Magnolia said just loud enough for me to hear, sounding as excited as I felt.
That was the moment I knew: God played favorites and I was at the bottom of his list.
The dam of frustration burst open, and I growled like a pissed-off lion.
“You have got to be kidding me!” How was I supposed to stay away from this woman when she was constantly being shoved in my face?
I stormed over, being the douche I always was whenever she was involved.
“Let me see your card.” I ripped it out of her hand. And groaned again.
Six of freaking hearts.
My head fell back and I shook my fists at the sky.
Magnolia waved her hands dramatically. “Oh no! Not the sky fists. Anything but the sky fists.”
I shot her a look, silently demanding that she stop being such a menace to my peace of mind. And to my idiot heart, which still hadn’t gotten the memo that she was off-limits.
We’d gone on one stupid date two years ago. We hadn’t even kissed. And yet she’d lodged herself in my system like a splinter I couldn’t dig out.
She pursed her lips. “Relax, drama queen.” She tore her card from my hand. “It’s not like we’re getting married.”
“Dang right, you’re not,” Griffin threatened, teeth bared, like I was something she needed to be protected from.
I wanted to knock that look right off his face. Wanted to say I could’ve had her if I’d let myself go there. But I didn’t. I made myself chill. Because underneath all that bravado, Griffin was scared. He loved her and he was scared to death of losing her.
To me.
It was pathetic really. But it was real.
The truth was, every time I caught a glimpse of his doubt, it gutted me. Because I was the one who put it there. And I would not do anything to add to it.
So my jackass heart could get all excited every time Magnolia walked into a room, and my eyes could flick over without my permission, checking out her legs.
I could even have full-on make-out sessions with her in my dreams—and I had, many times.
But there was no way Magnolia and I would ever get together.
I’d promised myself that the minute I left her apartment during Sole Mates.
And, I reminded myself, Griffin didn’t know any of that.
So I didn’t punch him. But I did flick my card in his face.
It hit him in the nose. He sputtered and slapped it away, knocking it to the ground, nostrils flaring, fists balled.
“Oh geez,” Magnolia said, head in her hand.
I laughed and sauntered toward Cash and Charlie like it was no big thing.
But deep down, I knew the truth—I was at the top of a steep and dangerous slope.
All it would take was one soft laugh from her, one shared look, one Magnolia-scented breeze, and I’d be skidding down fast with no brakes—and I wasn’t sure I’d come out in one piece at the bottom.
That night, when I was lying in bed, trying to fall asleep, and a text from an unknown number popped up, the first light brush of air blew in.
(555) 016-8472
Hi, it’s Maggie. We should probably come up with some kind of schedule. I’m working at Dr. Torres’s office in Honeyville all summer. I probably can’t train before work. I have to be there at 7:30 am and it’s a commute, as you know. But I get off at four most days.
My molars ground together. Just great. She had my number now. The last thing I needed was for her to start texting me all the time. So I didn’t respond.
(555) 016-8472
I know you read my message. You have your read receipts on.
I swore, swiped to my settings, and let my finger hover over the toggle switch. But if I turned them off now, she’d know.
(555) 016-8472
I know you can’t stand me…
“False.”
(555) 016-8472
And I’d say we could just train separately and show up on race day to run together…
“Terrible idea.”
(555) 016-8472
But I doubt we’d make a great team if we did that, and I’d really like to win. I could use that cash to help with med school tuition, and I know your parents actually make you work for your money. So I’m sure you could use it too.
“Facts.”
While she typed her next message, I added her to my contacts.
Griffin’s Magnolia
I’ve never done a Spartan Race before, and I could really use some pointers. I have no idea how to throw a spear or swing across the rings. I’m a decent runner though. I ran cross country in high school, and I still run three times a week.
I closed my eyes, testing myself. I pictured us running together, hoping for once not to feel the stupid swoopy attraction I always felt when I talked to her, saw her, thought of her. But that feeling was right there, like always, taunting me.
Griffin’s Magnolia
If you don’t want to train together often, I can train with Griffin. He says we can lift weights at your parents’ gym, so I can get more upper-body strength.
“Gosh dang it.” I had no choice but to respond now.
How did you get my number?
Griffin’s Magnolia
He’s alive!
I glared at her message.
Griffin’s Magnolia
Charlie.
That meant she’d been too afraid to ask Griffin, and she probably didn’t want him to know she was texting me. Which also told me she must really want to win the race.
Meet me at the obstacle course at Dupree Ranch tomorrow at 7 pm. DON’T train with Griffin. He’s sloppy and lazy, and he’ll teach you bad habits. He might be your boyfriend, but if you want to win this race, you need to treat him like competition. Which means you can’t take pointers from him, okay?
Griffin’s Magnolia
Okay.
We can lift weights Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and do obstacles and running on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. We’ll take Sundays off so our bodies can rest.
Also, no sugar starting now. I’m talking soda, sweets, baked goods—all of it. You’ll train better. Griff might be able to burn through a bag of candy like it’s fuel, but he’s going to be sluggish come race day.
I thought she’d argue—I was being ridiculously bossy—but instead she sent me a saluting face emoji.
I laid the phone down and closed my eyes, trying to fall asleep. But it vibrated again.
Griffin’s Magnolia
Goodnight, Bowen.
I whispered into the dark, “Goodnight, Magnolia.”
Yes, I might be on the edge of a cliff, but I’d be okay.
Because Magnolia did not have feelings for me. Maybe she had at Sole Mates, but my jerk-wad behavior had overshadowed all of that. But if she ever showed a single hint that she felt for me what I felt for her, I’d tumble headfirst over the edge before I had time to catch myself.