In the Fast Lane (Fast Series Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

subsided, all that remained was a certain numbness that followed her through her first year of college.
    “Sorry, I must have missed those.”
    “Well, I was too young to be put on beer cans, so I can see how you might have overlooked them.”
    “I preferred whiskey back then, but well played, Pruitt. I see time hasn’t made you bitter or anything.” The last part was said lightly with a little wink at the end.
    She could tell he was trying to ease the situation with his innate charm. It was a strategy she remembered well. He liked to couple his inner jerk with a sexy smile that eased some of the sting his words left behind. In his defense, it usually worked. The man shouldn’t be allowed to flash that thing.
    The fact that Jessi found herself even slightly attracted to this ass—ever—made her even more upset about their current situation. “Are you done having fun? Like I said, I have to get back to work.”
    Dalton let the charm slip and put on a serious face. “Jessi, we’ve got to figure out a way to work together. You know it as well as I do.”
    “Yes. I’m aware,” she snapped. She didn’t like him telling her what to do. Attempting to take back the upper hand, she leveled a direct look at him. “I have some conditions.”
    “Okay.” Dalton sounded wary, and that was a good thing. He needed to be.
    She braced her arms on the edge of the pool and pushed herself up so she could glare straight into his eyes. “First, don’t get the idea that this is eight years ago and I’m all in love with you. That crap is done with. Second, we aren’t doing a damn thing together. I will take your advice, and I won’t start anything, but this is my deal here, and I will take care of it. You’re here, and I can’t—or at least won’t—do anything about that. But I will be damned if you are a part of my life in any way, shape, or form. You’re my coach in name only. Got it?”
    She was playing tough. She needed him to think she was made of steel. Jessi was running out of time and couldn’t afford to show weakness.
    Unfortunately, Dalton didn’t buy the act.
    “Nope. And apparently neither do you,” he replied, standing up. He looked over his shoulder as he walked away. “I’ll meet you halfway though. I agree. You do not have a thing for me. I’m happy you got the chance to vent. I’ll see you after breakfast.”
    Oh, the ass was just trying to piss her off!
    He also strategically ignored the wet mass that hit him square between the shoulder blades. Jessi Pruitt, grown woman and team captain of the United States Olympic Swim Team, had just thrown her swim cap at him. He stopped short, cocked his head to the side, but never turned around. Instead, he continued straight to the pool’s exit.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 4
     
     
    “You threw your swim cap at him? Why? What did he say?”
    Jessi was eating breakfast with Amelia Robertson, the youngest member of the U.S. Swim Team. The girl had come out of nowhere at trials. Given their similar backgrounds, Jessi felt compelled to take Amelia under her wing.
    “Unfortunately, nothing,” Jessi muttered. “It would have been so much more satisfying if he had.” She let out a frustrated sigh. “But he just kept walking. Which is probably best.” Jessi supposed she’d better play the adult here.
    That did not, however, mean she was going to review tape with Dalton. There was no way she was caving to that man’s demands. Her happy little butt would be on its way to physical therapy right after she worked up the gumption to eat the crappy breakfast lying in front of her.
    “I would love to tell my coaches off like that. The breaststroking staff are complete douches.”
    Jessi smiled. She remembered that feeling well. “It’s tough being the youngest person on the team. You’re being held to standards most adults would squirm under. Still, you have to play along. Coaches tend to be douches. It’s part of the job description. Sadly, so is being