Page 5 of Offsides Attraction
“We can all fit in mine,” Cal argued, opening a back door, and resting his foot on the running board. He looked so proud of his baby, but in typical, oblivious Cal-fashion, he hadn’t picked up on his sisters’ distress. Maggie didn’t want to be near Lucas, and Penny didn’t want to be trapped in a truck with a book-hating monster.
“Last one there buys desserts,” Maggie said over her shoulder as she sprinted toward Penny’s car with Penny close on her heels. Maggie yelped when the back of her thighs hit the hot seat. Penny tossed her cross-body bag onto the back seat—she hated driving with it strapped to her chest—and carefully slid behind the wheel. The men scrambled into the truck as she carefully backed out. Cascade City’s tourist season was in full-swing and Penny didn’t want to get hit by someone looking at Tumble Falls instead of where they were going.
“Do you want to tell me what that was about?” Penny asked as she pulled into traffic.
“Why aren’t you breathing hard?”
“Because running away from men isn’t the only running I do,” Penny said, hoping Maggie would finally take the hint and join her on her morning runs. Maggie always complained that morning came too early and there wasn’t a bra built to secure her girls. Penny agreed with her on the first complaint. Morning did come too early, but running had too many benefits for her and it kept her powers strong. And after much trial and error, and a small fortune, Penny had found a bra that worked for her. Maggie could, too, if she wanted. But she didn’t. So, Maggie stayed cuddled up in bed in the morning while Penny hit the streets.
“They’re gaining on us, and with your slow-poke speed, Cal will easily overtake us.”
“Feel free to buy your own getaway car.” Penny changed lanes and saw the flash of guilt on Maggie’s face. Maggie didn’t have a car. When hers died, the sisters fell into the habit of sharing Penny’s little hybrid.
“What are you doing?” Maggie screeched as Penny slowly approached the intersection. They were next to an immaculate older sedan in front of Cal, with a minivan behind them.
“Wait…for…it.” Penny turned her head, checking traffic. The cars on the cross street were still stopped. The light turned yellow and, just as she hoped, the sedan braked, and Cal didn’t have room to change lanes. Penny punched the accelerator, and they raced through the intersection just as the light turned red.
Maggie clapped her hands and squealed. “That was the best! You should have seen Cal’s face. Oh my gosh, Penny. You’re my shero,” Maggie said between laughs.
“That’s the longest light in town, and with this heavy traffic, he won’t catch up,” Penny said, pleased that her plan had worked. She’d seen it in a movie and had always wanted to try it. “Now, will you tell me what that was about?”
“What what was all about?” Maggie asked.
“The fact that you couldn’t get away from Cal’s roommates fast enough.”
“You heard Bash say the movie’s always better. For his own safety, I needed to get you away from him.”
“I’m ignoring his boorish comment, but I was referring to your insta-hate of Lucas. What was that all about?”
Maggie shrugged. “We were at Valley Community together. I just don’t like him.”
“That’s not like you. You like everyone. Did something happen?”
“No. But he was like my own personal dementor sucking the joy out of my life until he transferred to State.”
“Dementors were the worst creatures in Harry Potter. I’m sorry you had to go through that.” Penny gave her a sympathetic smile.
Maggie shrugged. “What doesn’t kill ya’ makes ya’ stronger and all that crap.”
“You haven’t seen him in what, seven years? You’ve changed. Maybe he has, too?” Penny pulled into the crowded lot and parked in the last shaded space. “I want you to be happy and I want Cal to be happy, but he won’t be happy if he knows you’re unhappy and uncomfortable. This is important to him.”
“You want me to be nice to the person who made my life miserable?”
“For Cal. Yes. And for you.” Penny was about to offer more sage sisterly advice when Lucas opened Maggie’s door, and from the look on his face, Penny knew Maggie had it all wrong. He didn’t want to suck the joy from her life; he wanted to be a source of it.
Bash opened her car door. “Nice trick.” He sounded impressed.
“No trick. All skill,” Penny said, unbuckling her seat belt. It surprised her that Mr. The-Movie’s-Always-Better hadn’t already seen it in one of the gazillion car chases he’d probably watched. Ugh. This hike won’t end soon enough, Penny thought, regretting her play nice lecture to Maggie. She’d have to follow it, too.
“Let’s go,” Cal said, heading for the trailhead. Penny grabbed her bag from the backseat and cracked the windows before sliding out and locking the doors. Maggie trotted after Cal with Lucas glued to her side. Penny was stuck with Bash. Bash? What kind of stupid name is that? It’s like he was destined to play football.
They followed in silence, and Penny felt the energy radiating off him. Even after a full day of practice, he had energy to spare. If she was an athlete and had already put in a full day of work on the field or in the weight room or whatever else they did, hiking was the last thing she’d want to do. She’d be on her couch with a book in hand.
Lucas’ voice floated back to them, mixed with one-word answers from Maggie. Penny couldn’t make out the words, but she knew Maggie wasn’t trying. You’re not either.
“Hows’ the house working out? Is Cal doing his share?” Penny asked.
“It’s good. Lots of room and it’s close to the stadium, which is nice.”