Page 61 of Going for Gold (Sweet Cravings 3)

"Just let me work my magic. Em's going to be okay." He slapped my shoulder reassuringly and went back to his computer.

Chapter 26

Thursday

Alina

This is it. I bounced the ball in front of me and took a deep breath. Just me and the ball. I tossed the ball up and made perfect contact with my hand. My serve sailed over the net.

The libero from Italy's team dove for the ball and hit it short to the setter. The setter ran toward it and bumped it toward the net.

I ran back onto the court, ready to dig the inside hitter's spike. But the hitter spiked it right into the net.

Oh my God.

"Ahhhh!" Kristen yelled and threw her arms around me. Soon my whole team surrounded me. The crowd chanted "USA, USA, USA!"

"We're going to the finals!" Coach Hammond yelled.

We had just secured at least a silver. We formed a circle around Coach Hammond, our arms interlaced. Half the girls were crying. I looked toward the stands. Bryce was folding up his sign. I just wanted to kiss him.

"Brazil plays the Dominican Republic in a few hours. So we'll know who we're up against by tonight. Tomorrow we'll watch all the footage of whoever wins that game. We're not taking any chances. We're going for gold here, ladies. No parties. No celebrating. Get a good night sleep tonight and drink a lot of water. Practice starts at 9 a.m. sharp tomorrow."

We all put our hands into the middle of the circle and yelled, "USA!"

As soon as we disbanded, I searched for where Bryce had gone. I found him standing by the exit with Tim. I ran over to him and threw my arms around his neck.

He laughed and lifted me off the ground, spinning me in the air before placing a kiss against my lips. Just when I was thinking how nice it would be if he pushed my back against the wall, he pulled back.

"Congratulations, Alina. You were amazing."

"One more game."

Bryce raised his eyebrow. "One more game till what? Gold?"

I bit my lip and shook my head back and forth. "I mean, yes, but..."

He tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "Of course I know what you're talking about. I actually can't stop thinking about it. One more game."

I was glad the same thing was on his mind.

"Okay, wrap it up," Tim said. "We have to get going. People will be arriving to the tryouts in half an hour."

"I can't wait. This is going to be so much fun," Kristen said.

"Congrats on the win, gorgeous." Tim kissed her cheek and put his arm around her shoulders.

Whoa, when did that happen?

"Maybe you're the ones that need to wrap it up," Bryce said.

Tim laughed. "Unlike you two, we're extremely good at multitasking. Isn't that right?" He winked at Kristen and she immediately blushed.

How did I not know what was going on right now?

"Chop, chop!" Tim said. "We need to go scrutinize some sexy male dancers."

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