Page 164 of Of Pucking Course

“It worked.” I turn to the guys. “Seeing you guys in those shirts was the best surprise. Thanks for coming out here to support me.”

Del hugs me. “We were happy to.”

Xander looks around. “Where the hell is Connors?”

Blomdahl shrugs. “No idea. He said he’d be here.”

Just then, Sophie, Ingrid, Bella, Maya, and Abby run up to me. They’re all wearing Team Dakota shirts too.

I hug them. “Oh my gosh, you guys got shirts too?”

“Of course! We’re team Dakota all the way.” Sophie beams at me. “Did you see your final time?”

I shake my head. She shows me the photo she took of the race clock, which is set up to the side of the finish line.

“Two hours and eighteen minutes!” my best friend squeals.

My jaw drops. “No way. I thought it would take me, like, at least two and a half hours.”

I thought about tracking my pace while running, but I decided not to. I didn’t want to put pressure on myself on my first race to go at a certain pace. I told myself that I’d be happy just to finish the race, regardless of my time.

“You beat it!” Sophie hugs me.

When she lets me go, Del high-fives me.

“Nicely done,” he says.

Ingrid hugs me. “You’re amazing, Dakota!”

I hug her and Bella and Maya and Abby. All the guys tell me what a great job I did. My cheeks heat, heartened at how supportive my friends are.

Sam hands me a sports drink. “Drink up. Can’t have you dehydrated.”

I smile, giddy at how he’s so focused on taking care of me.

I’m guzzling my drink when Camden walks up to me. “Hey. Congrats on finishing your first half-marathon.”

“Thanks,” I say.

He pulls on the hem of the Team Dakota shirt he’s wearing. I notice his light brown hair is messy.

“Where were you?” Del asks him.

His cheeks flush. “I, uh, felt kinda sick.” He nods at the row of portapotties on the field next to the finish line. He turns to me. “Sorry I missed you crossing the finish line.”

“It’s okay,” I say. “Are you coming down with something?”

He shakes his head. “I don’t think so.”

A second later, a pretty blonde woman walks by Camden. She catches eyes with him and winks.

“Thanks again for helping me with my little wardrobe mishap in the bathroom,” she says.

A smug smile pulls at Camden’s lips as he watches her walk off. “My pleasure. Call me the next time you need help.”

Del rolls his eyes. “You were sick? Yeah, right.”

Camden shrugs and chuckles, like it’s no big deal that he just hooked up with some random woman in a porta potty.

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