Free Cherry Pop (Mercury Rising Book 3) by Samantha Kane Page B

famous charm. “I already paid your entrance fee.”
    Ben groaned. “Seriously? Why would you do that? Now I have to pay you back. How much?”
    “Just do the race with us,” Tripp cajoled. “That’s all you gotta do. Come on, you know you want to. Mud pits, obstacles, ropes, fire pits. I hear they’ve got a barbed wire crawl on the course. Don’t you want to show up those rangers from Fort Bragg?” He could almost feel Ben’s indecision through the phone. “If you don’t want to train with me, just do the race,” Tripp said. “You’re already in shape, right?”
    “Not really,” Ben said. “I haven’t done a race this difficult before, so I’m not sure what to expect.”
    “Well…” Tripp dragged the word out. “Seems to me like we ought to do a little training then, just to be on the safe side. I’ll keep it on the up and up,” he promised, secretly rejoicing inside. “I swear. No touching. Just training, and I won’t try to kiss you.”
    “You’re over that?” Ben said skeptically. “That fast, huh?” Maybe that wasn’t skepticism. Maybe it was hurt.
    “I’m trying,” Tripp said. “What you said to me last night made sense. I mean, after all, I’ve never been attracted to guys before. I guess I was just overwhelmed by you, is all.”
    “By me?” Ben sounded dubious. “I’m as ordinary as vanilla. There’s not much to be overwhelmed by.”
    “That’s not true, and you know it,” Tripp said, getting a little mad at the way Ben always put himself down. “If you were, you wouldn’t be one of the only people in Mercury who can do this race with me.”
    “Good point.” Ben sounded like he was seriously considering it now. “How long will it take?”
    “Training? Or the race?” Tripp asked, the thrill of victory rushing through him.
    “Both.” Ben’s voice had gone firm again, as if he’d made a decision.
    “Well, we should probably run a little every day, maybe through the woods, some fields, that sort of thing. There’s a place in Fayetteville with a small obstacle course, if you want to try that. The race itself should take a few hours.” He held his breath, waiting on Ben’s answer.
    “Okay,” Ben said. “We can go for a run and try the obstacle course. But no funny business. I’ll meet you here in the parking lot after work.”
    “Sure thing,” Tripp said lightly. “See you later.” He hung up before he gave himself away and blew it.
    Spending time with Ben like this was a good thing for him in more ways than one. It would give him a chance to see if these feelings were going to last. This was a big step, and he didn’t want to jump into it. But mostly it meant he’d get to see Ben everyday.
    He did a silent little victory dance in the office.

Eight
    B en crossed his ankles and did a forward bend, stretching out his hamstrings and hips. The race was packed with entrants and spectators. Mrs. Lanier had come with them, and Brian and Evan were somewhere too, with John and Conn. After what Carver had told him about hitting on Evan and feeling uncomfortable around him, Ben could understand why they hadn’t asked Evan to do the race, even though he was definitely fit enough. But next year maybe Carver would be over that and Evan could do it with them.
    Well, not with Ben, because he wouldn’t be here, most likely. He felt a little twinge of disappointment and just as quickly dismissed it. They had these races all over the country. He could do it on his own next year somewhere else.
    The atmosphere was insane. They had a nine a.m. start time. Waves of 250 runners had been released every fifteen minutes since eight o’clock. It was loud and chaotic and felt more like a music festival than a race. Next to him Tripp ran lightly in place, warming up. Luke and Carver had gone to use the bathroom before they began.
    Tripp had been as good as his word all week, nothing but business and getting ready for this race. Half the time Carver, Luke, or both were with them.