Free In the Fast Lane (Fast Series Book 1) by Evie Anderson Page A

wanted to go out with a bang. I was beat up, tired, and ready to be done racing. Then you kicked my ass and I thought to myself, ‘No way in hell I can let that asshat beat me in Brazil.’” Sawyer’s grin widened into a smile.
    Dalton grinned right back. “I really did kick your ass at trials, though, didn’t I? Good times.”
    “Yeah. They were. But you really need to know how important you are to my goal for Canada.” Sawyer furrowed his brow and looked like a man who was going to say something that he really didn’t want to.
    He cleared his throat. “So, um, I just want you to know that you’re the best coach I’ve got here and the only one I really trust. I handpicked you for a reason; the rest of the coaching staff was put together by the committee. I really appreciate being able to bounce ideas off you.” The words rushed out of his mouth. He took a deep breath before he looked up at Dalton.
    “Are you done being a chick?”
    “Yep.”
    “Good. I’m happy to be here too. Can we be done with this?”
    “Yep.”
    Both men took a step in the opposite directions. For a second there, Dalton had been afraid they were going to hug. All of a sudden, Dalton’s original question popped back into his head. While he didn’t question Sawyer’s sincerity with that little bonding moment, he had sneaking suspicions that the man had been trying to divert his attention.
    Well... Dalton felt righteously smug as he eyed Sawyer down. Sawyer had counted on Dalton’s knack for forgetting things and going on tangents. Sawyer’s fault for not realizing how much being near the water helped his attention span.
    “What?” Sawyer asked. “Why are you staring at me like that?”
    “How long?” Dalton replied.
    Sawyer threw his hands up. “What are you talking about now?”
    “You never answered me. How long will the interviews take?”
    Sawyer pursed his lips. “Remembered that, did you?”
    “I told you, the pool helps out with the ADHD. Sucks when I’m right, doesn’t it?”
    “Yeah,” Sawyer admitted. “All right, here’s the deal. The interviews will be over this afternoon. Except for Jessi’s. Lemaitre’s doing an exposé piece for one of the national news stations—”
    “I thought he worked for French media?”
    “He announces for French broadcasting. He does a bunch of freelance shit for all kinds of media, pretty much all over the world. Nice gig, actually.”
    “Hmm. So, what you’re telling me is this little douchebag is actually a rich little douchebag who wants to do unspeakable things to my best swimmer’s body.”
    “Pretty much.”
    Dalton didn’t like that at all. If he couldn’t do naughty things with Jessi, there was sure as shit no way anyone else would either. Just the thought made him unreasonably upset.
    “Okay, so again, why are we letting him interview her?”
    “Because if I saw one spark of interest in Jessi’s eyes, I would have pulled the plug. I didn’t. She couldn’t care less that he’s here or that he’s the one doing the exposé. She’s here to swim, and that’s all that is on her mind. She wants nothing to do with the prick.” Sawyer slapped Dalton on the back. “Better get to it, Coach.” He started walking down the hall to his office.
    “Wait a second, smartass!”
    Sawyer didn’t stop. “What do you want now, asshole?” he asked over his shoulder.
    “How many days will Lemaitre be working with my swimmer?”
    Sawyer stopped in front of his office door and stared at it.
    “A week. Make it work.” He stepped into his office and closed the door behind him.
    “Fuuuuck.” Dalton exhaled. He tilted back his head and put his hands on his hips. Might as well come to terms with it .
    Sawyer’s little bit of news had put the nail in his coffin. Yes, he was pissed that Lemaitre would be messing with his schedule. But mostly, he really hated the thought of Jessi spending an hour or two every night rehashing old stories and remembering good times with a