I woke up Saturday morning with far more excitement than I'd felt in weeks. I'd been pushing myself harder than ever before. Middle-of-the-pack Cavanaugh was ready to move up a place or two. It felt good to know I had a shot of doing exactly that. It was a four-school track meet and I wanted to know if my preparations would pay off.

The starting pistol sounded and the 10,000-meter race began. Within twenty steps I picked an inside line and held my ground. I established my place in the pack and stuck to it. My leg muscles were loose with my fingers lightly touching my palms. I looked ahead, focusing on my goal. I sank into my rhythm quicker than I'd ever done before and let the outside world drift away.

At the halfway point, there were two distinct groups. I stayed slightly to the rear of the front one. More runners fell back as the race continued. Eventually, I felt the strain in my legs, but also their power. When the flag signaling the final four laps went up, I usually felt the wear and tear on my body, but not this time. I moved up a few runners and quickly counted six in front of me. I held my ground as the pace picked up slightly. Three laps, two laps, I was now in fourth position. I rounded the turn to begin my last lap. My legs, with a will of their own, kicked it into high gear. My fucking long legs, that I always hated, ate up the synthetic rubber track beneath my shoes. I made the last curve and gave an additional burst of speed.

I, Rebecca Lesley Cavanaugh, won my first college race.

The closest runner finished four seconds behind me. I accepted congratulations from other runners as we walked our cool down. I waved into the stands. My parents waited at the field exit and hugged my tall, sweaty body before I headed into the locker room.

"We're so proud of you," my father said.

I gave them both a kiss and turned to find Amanda literally jumping up and down with excitement. Lyle stood beside her with a huge smile plastered on his face. I hugged them both and looked up and past them to a semi-crowd about forty yards away.

It was Killian surrounded by college fans. I don't think he saw me as he extricated himself from admirers and walked the opposite direction from where I stood.

"I need to get showered and then let's celebrate." My voice somehow remained steady.

Amanda and Lyle agreed, but my parents begged off. Lyle and Amanda said they'd wait for me. I stood under the spray of the shower and fought tears.

Why the hell did Killian come to my meet? I'd shed so many tears for him, but this was my day, my win, my success. I didn't want him anywhere near me. I needed to move on with my life and find happiness without him.

At that moment, I wanted to fucking wring Killian MacGregor's neck.

***

The bar was packed with college students, mostly athletes. I usually stayed away from the after-meet hangout, but Lyle and Amanda wanted me to have the full benefit of my win. I also decided to cheat this one night on my season anti-inebriety rule. Rebecca, the boring sister, tied one on.

"I think you've had your fair share of alcohol and we need to be leaving," Lyle said.

"Yep, come on. Let's get you tucked into bed, Rebecca," Amanda added.

"Nope, you guys go on without me. I'm having fun."

I'd danced with a tall, medium-distance runner, and was now sweaty and waiting for another drink to cool me off. My head spun, but I felt wonderful. I briefly wondered what I would do if a guy's dick slipped into my face tonight. I stumbled slightly and Lyle steadied me.

"We aren't going anywhere without you, Rebecca. You're stuck with us."

I giggled and threw my arms around him.

"You're my bestest boyfriend." I pulled Amanda into my hug, too. "And you're my bestest girlfriend."

Amanda hugged me back and said, "You are going to pay for this tomorrow."

"Killian came to my meet today. Why do you think he did that?"

"Oh, honey." Amanda sighed.

"Don't. I'm not crying over that football turd again. He-he needs to just leave me alone."

"Come on."

Lyle pulled slightly on my arm, but I jerked away.

"No, I'm going to look for a dick for my face. You two go home."

The room continued spinning, but I didn't care. I saw my dancing partner and made my way to him.

"Wanna dance?" I asked.

This was the new me. Rebecca Cavanaugh, the winner.

"I got a better idea. Let's get out of here."

"I wanna dance first," I pouted.

"Whatever the lady wants, but then I know a nice place you can relax and we can get to know each other a little better."

"You're on Mr. Tall Runner. I like a man I can look up to."

He took me to the dance floor and spun me around, making my head whirl even more. The music changed and he brought me in close; his hand went to my ass and I imagined it was Killian's. In my drunkenness, I also imagined his voice.

"That's enough. Get your hands off her."

My tall runner stopped dancing. I turned slightly and saw Killian. He didn't look happy. I take that back. He looked furious.

The hands holding me disappeared and so did my dance partner.

"Why the hell did you do that?" I yelled above the music.

"Because your friend called and told me to come and fix my problem."

"What problem?" I stumbled and Killian grabbed my arms.

"You, Rebecca. You're my problem."

I wrenched away. "I wanna dance and not with you. Go home with my friends. I'm gonna find someone taller than you to dance with."

"Let's go." Killian grabbed my hand and started toward the door.

"No," I shouted and pulled away.

The dancing stopped and people stared, but I didn't care. How dare Killian rain on my happy parade?

I looked around for help. Before I knew what happened, Killian swung me up and over his shoulder.

"Put me down," I screamed, but all I heard was laughter. I stopped thinking about everything else because all of a sudden I knew I was going to hurl all over Killian's backside.

"I'm getting sick."

I didn't realize we were even outside when Killian sat me quickly on my feet. I turned away and vomited. He tried to pull my hair from my face, but even as sick as I was, I didn't want him touching me.

"Go away," I said between heaves while pushing his hands.

"I'm not going anywhere until you're home and tucked into bed, Rebecca. Stop fighting me."

"No."

My liquor and bar food spewed to the ground. When my stomach finished heaving, I stood and tried to walk back into the bar. Killian grabbed my hand tightly, pulling me around to the other side of his car.

I went into petulant mode and crossed my arms as he tried to get the chest strap across my body. Killian jerked my arms down and buckled me in.

"If you remove the seat belt I will spank your ass."

"I hate you," I mumbled in absolute misery. My poor head wouldn't stop spinning.

Halfway to my apartment, Killian needed to pull over again. He didn't try to touch me this time, just waited patiently, buckled me back inside, and finished the drive to my apartment. I came to briefly when Killian carried me inside.

I don't remember much after that.