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

you!”
    “Well, you still were sucking.”
    They stood there, glaring at each other—her in the pool, him on the deck, a classic case of tough-ass coach and insolent swimmer. They were a perfect match of hardheaded stubbornness. Their stand-off looked to have indefinite staying power until Sawyer suddenly appeared from behind Dalton’s imposing form.
    “It’s like watching dogs fight,” he mused lightly. “As much as I enjoy it—and make no mistake, this is really funny to watch—could you two fight somewhere else?”
    “Shut up, Sawyer,” Dalton said, keeping his glare fixed on Jessi.
    “You know,” Sawyer replied offhandedly, “she’s never going to listen to you unless you prove to her that she’s wrong.” He glanced at his watch. “You’ve got at least an hour’s worth of footage detailing just how crappy her stroke is. Why don’t you go show her how right you are?”
    “I’m right here, you know,” Jessi snapped. She broke the glare first to refocus her efforts on Sawyer.
    “Yeah, but I’m on his side. You suck right now.”
    “I cannot believe this,” Jessi seethed. “It’s like the two of you lose brain cells when you’re in each other’s vicinity.”
    Sawyer looked down at her. “Hello Kettle, I’m Pot. Have we met?”
    “Shut up.” Jessi splashed water in Sawyer’s direction.
    “You let her get away with that, man?” Dalton shook his head at Sawyer. “That shit would never fly back in our day.”
    “You’re right. I’ve let way too much insubordination go on here. McKinney, take her to the film room and make her watch her crappy stroke over and over until she finally decides to listen to you.” Sawyer walked away.
    “Why do I get the feeling he just pawned me off on you?” Jessi glanced at Sawyer’s retreating back.
    Dalton looked down at her with pursed lips. “Because you are finally realizing just how much of a pain in the ass you are. Here.” He reached a hand down to help her out of the pool. “Let’s go do what he says before he brings his annoying ass back here with more sage advice.”
    Jessi grunted. “That’s the best idea you’ve had all day, Coach.” She took his hand, ignoring how the muscles in his biceps bulged or how little work she had to do when he helped to pull her out of the water.
    They walked to the viewing room in silence, but Jessi couldn’t stand the tension for long. Her mind was a whirlwind of frustration and worry. “Is my stroke really that bad?”
    “Well...” He drew the word out. “Yeah.”
    “Crap.”
    “Yep.”
    “But you really think you can fix it?”
    “If you’ll let me. Of course, that means you have to listen to me, take my advice, and quit yelling at me when you should be swimming.”
    Jessi hung her head. “Yeah, sorry. It’s just that I kind of hate you, you know? It’s hard to admit you might be right.”
    He chuckled. “Thanks. That means a lot.”
    She shook her head. “You’re such an idiot.”
    “See, that’s a good start.” He pushed her playfully as they entered the room. “Sometimes I think Sawyer is playing the asshole just to get us to work together.”
    “You mean if we’re mad at him, we aren’t mad at each other?”
    Dalton shrugged his shoulders. “If there is anything you and I hate more than each other, it’s being told what to do by someone else.”
    “Do you really hate me?” For some reason, that thought bothered Jessi.
    “Nah. You bug the shit out of me though.” He smiled down at her and winked.
    Unsure what to think about all this camaraderie, Jessi left a seat between her and what was supposed to be Dalton’s chair. He ruined her plan by sitting down next to her and promptly pushing play on the remote. Leaning back in his chair, he crossed his arms and legs as if they were watching a movie together rather than footage of her in the pool.
    The visual brought back memories of them doing just that eight years ago. They had often spent evenings on a lobby couch watching