216 The Challenge That Flows from Love

"Alston? I don't want to race him, I want to race you!" Steve looked funny, at this point resembling a child who had decided he was going to sulk. Martin, however, felt no amusement. He knew how serious the situation was.

"I know," Martin relied, "but I want the three of us to go."

"But he pisses me off..."

"Me too" Martin agreed. "That's exactly why I want to go with him. I want to take my sports anger out on him. Maybe this will be the last opportunity for me. Transfer season is coming up and we probably won't get together."

"How about we take Jack instead of Alston?" Steve made another attempt to convince his partner, but his voice lacked conviction.

"Are you kidding? Jack is like a good brother to me. I have no incentive to want to kick his ass. But I'd like to crush Don on the track, it's just that I haven't had the opportunity to do it..."

"You did great in practice," Steve praised him stroking his head.