Faster (The University of Gatica #2) Read Free Page B

one.” Brad pointed at Aileen with his thumb.
    Aileen pulled her phone out and started texting. “I’m asking Becky right now so she doesn’t plan any gigs for that weekend. It’ll be fun.” She hoped her parents wouldn’t mind she wasn’t coming home. “Maybe we should ask Mom and Dad to come, too.”
    The lack of response from Brad or Jani made Aileen look up. “Bad idea?”
    Brad coughed. “I was thinking—”
    “Party!” Jani finished for him.
    “We can still have a party on the weekend. Maybe just plan Thanksgiving Day with them.”
    Brad put his arm around his sister after he pulled the truck into a parking spot on the road in front of the track. He looked out the window and admired the view before turning his attention back to Aileen. “You think you want them to visit now, but come November you are going to regret it. Don’t say anything to them yet. See what you think in a couple of months. Remember I didn’t come home my first Thanksgiving? Your university years are your selfish years, don’t waste them on thinking about other people.”
    Jani snorted but didn’t say anything.
    Brad shot her a warning glance. “You’ll be home three weeks later for Christmas holidays.”
    Jani tapped a rhythm on her knee with a finger. “He’s got a point. Not exactly sure he delivered it the correct way, but it is a valid point. They are more than invited. I don’t even know them, and I think it would be cool to meet them. They had you, so they did something right.”
    “They also had him.” Aileen nodded at her brother.
    “Sometimes you need a rough draft.”
    “I’m right here!” Brad said. “I can hear you guys.”
    Jani clapped her hands. “See?”
    Aileen and she burst out laughing. Finally, catching her breath and calming the mini hysterics, Aileen said, “I’m glad I came here and I’m doubly happy that you're my roommate.”
    “Me, too.”
    Brad cleared his throat again. “How ‘bout we finish this campus tour before I run out of gas?” He put on his blinker and pulled away from the curb. “Nice track, by the way.”
    “I can’t wait to start training,” Aileen commented.
    “Me, either.” Jani bounced her feet. “I love this time of year! The air, the smell, the change in the weather, the back to school feeling… all of it gets me gunning to start the season’s base training.”
    “Now who’s the crazy one?” Brad joked. “Let’s go see the football stadium. We are so tailgating in November. There’ll be a home game that weekend, right?”
    “Every year I’ve been here, there has been.”
    Brad fist pumped. “Yes!”
    “We have to score you tickets though.” Jani pointed to the stop sign up ahead. “Turn left. About a half a mile up the road is the entrance to the weight room. Just passed that is a light. Turn left there, and we’ll drive right by the stadium. That side has an impressive view of the stadium.”
    “Can we go onto the field?” Brad followed her directions and turned left at the stop sign.
    “Probably not. Nobody’s allowed on the field except football. Holy ground, you know. Shame though because you don’t truly understand the beauty of the stadium until you are looking up from that field when the seats are full.”
    “You’ve been on the field?” Brad asked.
    “During a conference home game. Made All-American, and they honored a bunch of athletes during half time.”
    “’Leenie, you’d better make All-American and get yourself on that field.” Brad used the nickname he used to call Aileen when they were little.
    Jani giggled. “I’m sure she has other ways to get on the field, as well.”
    Aileen stared at Jani with wide eyes. Did Jani know what had happened between Tyler and her? What if he had blabbed it to the entire track team, letting everyone know he did his part to get her on the team? She hoped the thought was only theory.
    “What do you mean?” Thank goodness Brad asked the question Aileen was thinking, but couldn’t