Jude continues, “We’ll meet on the steps of the library at ten a.m. sharp to issue the next challenge. Our score is now one to one!” He rubs his mustache. “Anticipate more tomfoolery and a lot more ballyhoo.”

His speech over, the crowd slowly disperses, people heading inside or over to where the keg is set up. Some leave around the side of the house. Music kicks on and the party swings into gear.

I decide to check out my sofa slash bed for the night and get some stuff out of the room before Reese locks herself in there. I make it to the door right as she’s using the key to unlock it.

“I need to grab a couple things.”

She hesitates but then nods before opening the door and letting me enter first.

“Thanks.” I grab my clothes and backpack along with my track clothes and shoes.

She’s standing next to the door, arms crossed over her chest, looking everywhere but at me.

I clear my throat and she finally meets my eyes. “Nice work out there.”

She hesitates, as if waiting for me to say more, then mutters, “Thanks.”

I shift my shoes and clothes to my left hand and stick out my right in her direction, knowing I’ll probably be rebuffed but going for it anyway. “You’re a worthy opponent. I know we’re competing, but I still want you to know I admire your intelligence. How did you know all of those things?”

“I read a lot.” I don’t think she’s going to take my olive branch, but finally, she slips her hand in mine, small and soft, though her shake is firm. “I haven’t decided if you’re worthy yet or not.”

I chuckle. “Probably not.”

Her head cocks. “I’ll try to reserve any harsh judgment until it’s been warranted from this point out, if you’ll do the same.”

For some reason, her begrudging cease-fire feels like a win, even though I lost. I can’t stop the grin spreading across my face. “You’re on.”

7

There is no shortcut in life. You have to take it one step at a time and work hard. And you have to give back.

—Hank Aaron

Fitz

“You ready for Begonia Day?” Jude nudges me in the shoulder.

I grunt and shovel a spoon of Cap’n Crunch in my mouth.

I’m too tired to give full word responses.

Jude, however, is bouncing around next to me on the couch like a tween who’s won Fortnite.

He’s been like this for an hour. The man is a machine. He never seems to sleep and yet has endless energy.

I need to focus. I have to win the competition today. I have a major track meet tomorrow—and I’m dreading it. Not only will I probably run into Abby, my teammates are going to kill me if I slack during the relay. Not to mention, if I don’t place at least in the top three consistently, they probably won’t renew my scholarship.