Faster (The University of Gatica #2) by Lexy Timms

arrived with Jani at the cross country course where they would be doing the fundraiser run. One look at Tyler from across the field and she knew she still liked him. No amount of trying to convince herself was going to change that. She was physically attracted to him, but it was more than that. She just couldn’t pinpoint what exactly. She pretended not to watch him as she sat stretching and warming up.
    Tyler seemed to be looking everywhere except at her. Is he purposely avoiding me? It drove Aileen crazy. She couldn’t tear her gaze away from him even if she tried. He stood with his hands stuffed casually in the back pockets of his jeans. The cobalt of his shirt reflected off his eyes, making them appear bluer than their usual green-gray color.  Even from their distance apart she could see the dark reflection of his tanned skin. If only she were closer… close enough to run her fingers over his chest, or down his stomach.
    Stop it!
    How come every time they were within a fifty-yard radius of each other she could sense him? It was like her hormones took over her brain. It’s because you always want what you can’t have.
    Tyler obviously didn’t have the same problem.
    Aileen blew her hair away from her face. She knew it was mandatory for all the track athletes to participate in the two-point-five mile fun run as it raised money for the track team, but she had assumed Tyler wouldn’t be here. Hadn’t Coach Anderson said footballers weren’t around until indoor season after football season ended? Well, here Tyler stood, in the gorgeous flesh! He apparently wasn’t running, the jeans covering those sexy muscular legs of his were the proof. Either he had come to support the team or Coach Anderson asked him to come; to make the alumni and supporters happy. NCAA champion and football extraordinaire, he would be silly not to make Tyler the main attraction.
    She straightened from stretching out her right hamstring and switched legs. Her left needed some attention now. As she moved, Tyler’s eyes shifted and focussed on her. She quickly looked down at the grass so he wouldn’t catch her staring.
    Someone dropped down beside her, and she knew instantly it was Jani without having to look up.
    “Tyler’s here,” she whispered.
    “Is he?” Aileen pretended she hadn’t noticed. She stared at a faint scar on her quad that remained after hitting a hurdle the wrong way in the rain back in high school.
    “He’s not running.” Jani leaned closer to her. “Are you going to try and avoid him? It won’t fix anything,” she whispered.
    Aileen picked at the grass, pulling gently at a wishing dandelion. “I’m not going to hide from him. I just don’t want to rush up and try to be friends after the way things ended the other night.” She dropped her head to her knee to stretch her hamstring.
    Jani tapped Aileen’s shoulder lightly and then franticly. “Head’s up, gorgeous. He’s coming this way.” She shifted away and began waving. “Hey stranger,” Jani called out. “I’ve barely seen you this year except on the field. Football keeping you busy?” She gave Tyler a hug. Jani had the unique ability to hide anyone’s anxiety and make everything appear entirely normal. It was a gift.
    Aileen decided to mimic her, trying hard to look uninterested… completely neutral was a better word. She stretched both her legs before giving them a shake and standing up. She begged her racing heart to slow its pace. “Hey, Tyler.” She smiled and did her best to avoid looking in his eyes. She lasted about five seconds before she gave in and checked to see why he hadn’t replied to her.
    Big mistake.
    The moment their eyes met everything at once seemed to melt away. There was only him. The brown flecks in his eyes moved as his pupils darted back and forth across hers. His eyebrows rose and pressed slightly together. Something flashed behind his eyes. She wanted so badly to ask what it was.
    A gasp escaped her lips. She had