Page 3 of Running
Suddenly, the door to the suite swings open. “Hey, how’s everyone doing?”
Landon. Back from his study group. He throws his book bag against the wall near his bedroom door and comes over to the couch.
“You two stay out of trouble while I was gone?”
His roommate’s eyes go big a moment before he smooths out his expression.
I need to get out of here. Think. Process. “It was fine. I’m going to go to your room and crash, if that’s okay?”
Landon nods. “That’s cool. It’s already eleven-fifteen.” My brother knows well that I’m useless after midnight, and they’re an hour behind here from Princeton time. “We’ll have a nice long breakfast before you leave tomorrow, kay Gracie?”
“Sounds good.” I shoot a quick glance at his roommate, who studies me with a heavy expression, clearly wanting to say something yet unable to in Landon’s presence.
Whatever. He’s probably a complete player—Landon and most of his football friends I’ve met over the years certainly are—but it doesn’t matter.Tonight was still what I wanted from this trip, I tell myself.
As I get ready for bed, that thought is reinforced by the pleasurable ache between my legs, still lingering.
Once I’m changed into sleepwear, I crawl onto the spare futon in Landon’s room. Feeling my mind start to spin about his roommate's reaction to the fact that I’m a virgin, I return to my internal pep talk.
Don’t overthink it,I say to myself as my eyes get heavy.
And who cares anyway...because you’ll never see Johnson Samuels again.
August, 10 Months Ago, End of Last Year’s Orlando Waves Training Camp
5:34PM, Voice Memo Transcription, Landon Battle to Johnson Samuels
Hey J. You’re probably driving back to your house from camp. It was so much better than rookie year, right? We were truly lost puppies last year. Thank god we had each other. Fucking forever grateful the Waves drafted us together.
Look, sorry for leaving this on a voice memo, but I’m picking up Grace at the airport and getting her situated. She starts her first semester at business school here in two weeks, and I realized something I didn’t want to say in front of her.
Can you keep an eye on her? Make sure no one is trying to fuck around with her behind my back? In a shitty way, I mean.
You’ve met her. Grace’s a serious person. She doesn’t do casual. I can see some of the guys trying to have a fun night hooking up and accidentally hurting her.
And then I’d have to do something about it, which wouldn’t be good for anyone involved.
Anyway, I appreciate it. Talk later.
11:15PM, Same Day
LANDON: Hey J, did you get my message from earlier?
JOHNSON: Yeah, sorry.
LANDON: No worries. You usually get back to me fast.
[3 minutes pass]
JOHNSON: I’ll do it. What you asked about Grace, I’ll do it. I wouldn’t want that either.
LANDON: Thanks J.
CHAPTER 1
Grace
END OF JUNE, PRESENT DAY
