Secret Catch Read Online Free PDF Page B

good.”
    I lean back as far as I can and then bring myself up. Stretching my body, I exaggerate my movements to get the best momentum out of every pump. Tyler’s doing the same. I’m tall, but he’s taller than me, so it works better for him.
    The wind kicks my ponytail backward and then forward into my face, a red screen so I can’t see very well. I’m getting pretty high, but he’s still higher. I pump my legs faster and harder.
    The chain begins to jump, no longer a smooth arc then my head is almost even to the bar.
    Tyler’s head goes above it. “I win!”
    “Only ’cause you’re taller.” I try not to smile as I slow my legs and tilt my head back, watching the clouds.
    “Fair and square.” There’s a laugh in his voice.
    We don’t say anything for a minute, slowing down. It’s a weird, comfortable silence. There’s an ease I’ve never known with anyone. I don’t have to say anything. I can just be quiet.
    I smile at him. “Wanna jump?”
    “I don’t know. I’m always afraid I’m going to break a leg.”
    “We’ll do it together.”
    “Okay…” he says, like he’s not sure that’ll help.
    He reaches over and grabs my hand. I let go briefly so I can move my arm in front of the chain and then his fingers return to mine.
    “On three,” I say, and he nods. “One. Two. Three.”
    We keep with the forward momentum and propel ourselves from the swings, our hands pulling us together. We fly through the air for a few seconds, weightless and free. Then my feet sting with the impact, and he tucks me in his arms, and we roll in the wood chips.
    When we stop, I laugh and say, “I didn’t say you could use me as a landing mat!”
    “Well, uh, the force just took me, and I didn’t want you to get hurt.”
    “My hero,” I joke with dramatic flair.
    “Yeah. You should thank me.”
    “I should.” I murmur, and once again I find myself inching closer to his mouth. My stomach lurches, and my heart rate pounds in my chest. His breath is warm on my face and smells like grape sports drink. My arms go around his neck of their own accord, and I’m ready to yank his lips to mine and—
    “Sammy!” Josh yells. “We’re all done. Are you ready?”
    Tyler pulls away with a laugh. “He has impeccable timing.”
    “That he does.” Damn it.
    Tyler helps me up as Josh runs toward us.
    When he reaches us, Tyler says to him, “Hey bud, will you run over to the monkey bars and grab my sweatshirt and water bottle?”
    “Sure.” Josh smiles and runs off.
    Tyler looks at me. “So, you owe me a date?”
    “Yeah, I think I do.”
    “Can I get your number?”
    “You have your phone?”
    He shakes his head. “No, but I’ll remember it.”
    I tell him my number right as Josh runs back with his stuff.
    “Dude,” he says, poking his finger into Tyler’s chest. “You never said you were a Trojan.”

 
     
     

    I rub my chest where Josh poked me. He sticks my hoodie out as if it’s covered in loogies.
    Honestly, I’ve never been into the rivalry. I have my team’s back when we pull pranks, and hell yeah I’m gonna defend my brothers when it comes to the field. But the entire schools’ back and forth doesn’t make sense to me, and I’m willing to break “the rules” for a chance with Sam.
    Crouching down, I take my hoodie and tuck it under my arm. Josh sets his hands on his hips.
    “What’s wrong with being a Trojan?” I ask.
    He “pfft”s. “What’s not wrong with a Trojan? Can you even call yourselves football players?”
    “Ouch.” I grin and glance at Sam behind me who shrugs with apologetic eyes. It’s all right. I hear the same crap on my side of town. I turn to Josh and nod to the field behind him. “I did pretty well out there don’t you think? We won.”
    He presses his lips together and furrows his brow. “I guess…after a couple rounds you sort of got the hang of it.”
    I love this kid. I smirk and stretch up on my legs. “Maybe I need more training?”
    His pursed