Free Best Enemies (Canterwood Crest) by Jessica Burkhart Page A

head toward us. “The cheering section is also invited.”
    We started laughing. “As if we’d miss cake,” Ben called down to Mr. Conner.
    Mr. Conner laughed and shook Eric’s hand, then Jasmine’s. “Congratulations.”
    Mr. Conner started toward the exit. He wasn’t even three steps away from Eric and Jasmine when I was outof my seat and hurrying toward the arena. I ran across the dirt floor and grabbed Eric in a hug.
    “Omigod!” I said. “Who was right?”
    Eric stepped back, putting his hands on my waist. His warm brown eyes had their special Eric sparkle. “Hmm. I don’t know… you, maybe?”
    “Um, yeah,” I teased. “I was totally right. I
knew
you’d make it!”
    “Ewww,” Jasmine said, shaking her head. I’d been so excited that I’d forgotten she was still there.
    I pointed to the exit. “The door’s that way,” I said.
    Jasmine crossed her arms. “Please. You are the ones who can take your disgusting ‘Omigod!-You’re-so-amazing,-Sasha!-No,-Eric,-you-are!’ display elsewhere.”
    “Fine,” I said lightly. I slipped my fingers through Eric’s. “We will.”
    And without another word to Jasmine, my advanced team boyfriend and I left the arena hand in hand.

15
HOPE WE’RE NOT TEAMMATES FOR LONG
    FOR THE FIRST PART OF THE AFTERNOON, Paige and I studied in the Winchester common room. I’d claimed the recliner and a pillow for my lap. Paige sat cross-legged in the window seat. She was writing an essay for English, I was doing math homework, and we’d already quizzed each other for our science classes.
    “I’ve got to leave in a few minutes,” I said to Paige. “Cake at two.”
    Paige closed her history textbook. “I’m so happy that Eric made it. He deserved it.”
    “I know. And he’s so excited. You sure you can’t come and celebrate with us?”
    “I would,” Paige said. “But I already told Geena that I’d test recipes with her for cooking class.”
    “Okay.” I gathered my books, highlighters, and pens to take back to my room. “See you later.”
    At the Sweet Shoppe, I spotted Andy, Troy, Ben, and Nicole at a table near the back. We chatted for a few minutes before Eric arrived.
    “Ohhh, I see how it is,” Nicole teased Eric. “You’re a superstar rider now, so you can keep the rest of us waiting.”
    We all laughed.
    “You got me,” Eric said. “I knew you wouldn’t eat the cake without me.”
    I dropped my jaw in mock-shock. “Puh-lease. I was about to go get it five seconds ago, but Troy stopped me.”
    Eric pretend-narrowed his eyes at me, but he couldn’t stop his smile.
    Andy checked the screen on his phone. “It’s two ten,” he said. “Jasmine still isn’t here, so should we wait?”
    “Yeah,” Nicole said. “Like, ten more minutes. Then we eat.”
    “Let’s get drinks,” I said. Everyone agreed and soon, we were sipping our beverages of choice. I’d picked toasted almond–flavored iced coffee.
    The guys had been talking about their last lesson.
    “Did you have trouble with transitions?” Eric asked Troy and Ben.
    Ben nodded and the guys kept talking.
    Nicole scooted her chair closer to me. “I’m so happy that you and Eric are together,” she said quietly. “You’re great for each other.”
    “Thanks. I really,
really
like him.”
    “He’s so into you,” Nicole said. “It’s obvious.”
    I played with my bracelet, touching the charm from Eric. “It’ll be great to have him on my team too.”
    Nicole nodded, brushing back her curls. “For a while, anyway. You know you’ll make the YENT, Sash.”
    “Ugh. Don’t remind me about that. I can’t even think about it now without hyperventilating.”
    “Don’t.” Nicole shook her head. “Or I’ll send Rachel and her friends over to cheer for you when you ride.”
    That made me grin. “Exactly what I wanted.”
    We chatted for a few more minutes before Troy stood. “I’m going for the cake,” he said. “We’ll save Jas a couple of pieces.”
    Troy returned with