Page 149 of Running
She stops and considers the question. Slowly, a smile creeps up on her face.
“I want to try. Is that crazy?”
“Not crazy at all.”
“I don’t want to have any more regrets or missed chances, Johnson. What’s the worst thing that could happen? If I find I don’t enjoy it, I can always stop and focus on what I’m doing with Milo only.”
“Sounds right to me.”
“Before I chicken out, I’m writing Shelley.”
And then I watch my girl start her next adventure.
CHAPTER 47
Grace
The next Monday, I get a text from my brother bright and early. The Waves had won another close one last night, so I’m a little surprised he isn’t still asleep.
LANDON: Rori’s just got back in town from a commercial shoot. Dinner at my house tonight?
I’m hoping this is intended as an olive branch toward Johnson, after the big confrontation. Also, I can’t wait to tell him my plan about running.
GRACE: Okay!
Except then he disappoints me.
LANDON: Don’t bring him. Please.
After I talk to Johnson, and see whether he wants me to push back, he encourages me to go without him.
“It’s okay, Goldie,” Johnson says, a sadness in his eyes. “I believe he’s goingto come around.”
I can’t stand it. I plan to talk to Landon tonight. He needs to get over this.
But later on, while I’m at Landon’s house, he finds a way to skirt around the discussion every time I bring it up. When I start to direct our conversation to the topic of Johnson, he remembers he needs to call Aiden, he has to check on the food in the kitchen, etc.
At least when we’re eating, he can’t avoid me, right?
Only when I say, “Landon, I do want to talk about John—” during dinner, he stands up and walks toward his back door.
“Grover needs a walk now. I’ll be a minute.”
I look at Rori with exasperation as he steps outside with Grover.
“This is ridiculous.” I put my fork down. “I completely understand why Landon is hurt. But Johnson is my boyfriend, and I’m so happy with him. My brother has to give us a chance to work through this.”
“Landon—he’s definitely still upset that Johnson lied to him, but I can see the cracks in his anger.” Her voice drops lower. “I even overheard him ask Aiden how Johnson’s recovery was going earlier today.”
Well, that’s something. “It sounds like Johnson made it clear we’re serious when he finally was able to talk to Landon. But here we are, and he’s still uninvited tonight…” My voice trails off.
“Yeah, well, you know your brother. He can take a minute to forgive when someone hurts him.”
She’s right, as I think about it. I know he ignored her first apology text after she regretted their breakup. His reaction is probably rooted in how our parents’ never took accountability for all the damage they did to us kids, period. So his default coping mechanism is shutting down the entire line of communication.
Rori sighs. “I do think he believes you two are real now. When he vents to me, it’s more about how he can’t believe Johnson started dating his sister behind his back. He’s dropped any mentions of ‘hooking up’ or ‘he’s not good enough.’”
My hope ticks up. “That does make me feel better.”
