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"I've just admired your skills on the ice for a long time, and was surprised that you could be so egotistical in thinking everyone has something they want signed."

Trey laughs. "That's all most people want me for anyway."

I'm surprised by the bitterness in his voice and try to come up with something to say before he starts jogging.

“How about we start over? Hi, I’m Trey and I don’t like mud.”

I tilt my head to the side, as if that will give me a better view of him. I’m right, it just sends my stomach doing flips at the sight of his strong jaw and attractive lips.

"We better hurry. There's no way I'm letting Jack win this thing,” I say, jogging toward the first obstacle. He joins right next to me and I say, “You don’t like mud and you still signed up to come?”

He shakes his head. “Spencer and Jack signed me up, at Dani’s request.”

I search the horizon for Dani and frown. “She’s going to hear about it.”

“What do you mean?” Trey asks, looking confused and a bit hurt. “You didn’t want me to come? Or the whole group?”

Blowing out a breath, I’ve managed to screw up a lot in the three hours I’ve been awake, but something about his expression has me wanting to throw my arms around him and pull him in for a hug. Must resist.

“I, uh, just didn’t expect all the guys to come.”

We move our feet through the tires, my shoes sinking deeper in mud with every step. At least I tied my shoes on tight enough that they aren’t sliding off completely.

“So, Kenzie, what do you like to do?” His breathing is barely more than a normal pace and I’m doing all I can to get air into my lungs as we run to the next section.

“Let’s catch up before we can’t make up the distance. Then we’ll chat.”

I lengthen my strides, trying to block out the strange sensation of the drying mud on my legs.

The sooner I get this over with, the higher the chances I’ll leave with my dignity intact. I don’t want to see his face when he finds out who I am.

5

TREY

Mud. This is a different kind of training for me, but so far, it's been kind of fun. Seeing Kenzie again has me distracted from the feel of the gritty substance that is already up my legs.

I know, hockey isn’t a clean sport, but at least I can get my gear washed every few weeks. I’m afraid I’ll be cleaning mud and sand out of my clothes and shoes for the next month.

Kenzie picks up the pace, pushing me to run faster. There’s one part of her banter with Jack that I’m curious about.

“Why were you so adamant about no dates with Jack?” I ask.

She laughs, shaking her head. “Dates and I aren’t a good combination. I’m cursed to be single forever.”

“Please,” I say, taking a couple breaths in between words. She’s pushing even faster and I’m motivated by the challenge of keeping up with her. “It’s all a matter of perspective.”

"Was it bad to make a bet with Jack?" Kenzie asks, changing the subject.

"He comes up with the worst punishments. He took inspiration from the How to Eat Fried Worms book and made Owen eat them for fourteen days a couple years ago."

Kenzie frowns. "Who's Owen?"

I'm breathing kind of heavily but manage to say, "He's one of our… friends from way back. He's been… on a few medical mission… trips lately."

We jump over a large pipe and into a bog covered in barbed wire.

Kenzie and I pass several of the team but I've still got my eyes focused ahead on Jack. The man can move about as well as the animals he takes care of on a daily basis.