Page 96 of Running
“Awesome news. When does he get here?” I start calculating how much time we’re going to need to get him up to speed, and how I can help accelerate that.
“He’s on his way now. He won’t suit up this weekend, though.”
I turn to Bailey. “You want to see if he can come to my place tomorrow and we can have an informal practice session on my field? I know it’s technically a day off, but…”
“Yeah, sounds good.”
“I never heard any of that.” Marshall chuckles. “But I’ll send you his cell.”
Four wins, undefeated and now truly fit to run for the playoffs.
IfI can make it through the dinner with Landon, Rori, and Grace tomorrow, without screwing things up.
Grace and I have been working out how we’ll handle the dinner since Landon’s text came through. So when I wake up Tuesday, I at least have a plan to follow for tonight.
The first thing we decided was that it wasn’t time to tell Landon about us yet. Well, Grace decided, speaking up first on the topic—but I didn’t disagree with her. It’s been almost four weeks, but she hasn’t even spent the night yet.
Which, incidentally, might start tonight, based on her text this morning.
GRACE: I’m bringing all my stuff with me, in case we go back to your place tonight.
Rereading that text shoots a thrill through me. The thoughtof her sleeping next to me, getting to see her when I wake up—I’m hungry for that with her.
The other thing we decided was to try not to lie about anything else that may come up. Be vague, change topics, whatever it takes as the conversation bounces around subjects. Just don’t lie. Because the more lies that pile up, the harder it may be to come back when we do tell the truth with Landon.
A final pact I’ve made with myself is to keep myself physically separate from Grace. Because, as I showed at Carter’s house, I can’t help touching her if she’s nearby.
When I pull up to Landon’s a few minutes after five, I see Grace’s car is already here. After I knock on the door, it’s Rori that answers, though.
“Johnson, it’s awesome to see you again.” She smiles as the door swings open, Grover at her feet, tail wagging at the new guest.
“Hi, Rori.” I give her a quick and shallow hug. We don’t know each other well yet, having spent little time together because of her traveling on the tennis tour.
And then I nod at the beautiful blonde a few steps behind her. “Hi, Grace.”
Grace sends me a sly look. “Hi, Johnson.” I allow myself to take her in for the briefest of moments. She’s wearing a form-fitting pale blue polo and tan cotton shorts, along with strappy sandals. Her hair is down, straight this time. It’s a normal look for a school day, but I don’t want to turn away. She’s so pretty, and it’s been a week since we hung out.
I make myself snap out of it though, focusing my attention on Rori.
“Landon’s in the kitchen if you want to come back,” Rori says. Okay, here we go.
The three of us walk to the kitchen area, where Landon is tinkering with some knobs on the oven. He looks up and sees me. “Hey J. Thanks for coming today.”
Walking around the kitchen island, I square up once I’m onthe same side as him. “Happy to be here, man. What are you cooking?”
He leans against the countertop beside the oven, grinning. “Oh shit, you know me, I’m just reheating some pre-made meals I bought. But they’re really good.”
Rori hangs back on the other side of the island, but Grace swings around to our side, walking towards the fridge. “Do you want something to drink, Johnson?”
Our eyes lock, and I try not to give anything away in my bland reply. “Yeah, water is fine. Thank you.”
But when she lifts the drink towards me, I mess up. I grab it in a way that makes our fingers brush against each other during the hand off…and a jolt runs straight up my arm, just from that simple contact. Grace’s eyes widen slightly, like she’s reacting too, and I think she might have a flush on her face. I can’t totally see because she pulls her hand back and walks around to the other side of the island quickly.
Why am I so bad at this?
Luckily, it seems like the other two don’t notice.
“Here are some veggies and cheese, if you’re hungry now,” Rori offers, gesturing to a couple of plates on the countertop. “My skills only extend to putting together appetizer platters.”
