Chapter 43

Caroline

*****

As it turned out, there was only so much studying a girl could do for a high school badminton final.

I read over the rules and playing etiquette until they were burned into my brain. I even rehearsed the basic swings until my shoulder was sore.

I knew one thing: I was going to crush Marshall's sexy bravado ego.

He could beat me in literally everything else. But badminton? This was my time to shine. I was smaller and more agile. He had strength and reach on his side. While I couldn't do anything about the length of his freaking gorilla arms, I could play for strategy and shoot low and fast.

After a few hours, I was practically jittering from all the coffee I'd been slurping on. I slept fine—great, actually, since Marshall and I ended the day on a good note. When I woke up this morning, far earlier than usual, our hands were still laced together.

I was so frustrated with him yesterday and so tired of feeling like I was second place to his job and extracurriculars. Especia