Page 81 of Running
Instead, I let Grover outside, and head to the kitchen to make coffee. With the pup taken care of, I map out my run and get changed into workout gear.
Once I get going on the run, I revisit Coach Shelley’s request. Johnson’s phrase—“nothing to lose”—sticks with me. Really, what negative consequences could come about? At this point, it feels like none. The impact of the NCAA championships from eighteen months ago fades with every step I take forward to reclaim my love of running.
When I get back to the house, it’s a little after ten and a text is waiting for me from Jessica.
JESSICA: Hey girl! Want to come watch Rori’s match at our place?
Rori’s U.S. Open final match starts at four, and I’m definitely tuning in, but doing it with Jessica and Carter sounds more fun.
GRACE: Absolutely, send me your address? I’m at Landon’s.
JESSICA: Perfect. We’re six minutes away from him.
Oh, they’re so close, even better. I spend an hour reading on the enclosed deck, Grover settled at my feet. He’s a total rascal if let out free, so the gate down to the yard is firmly closed. I walk him around eleven to stretch both of our legs.
When I settle back down to resume reading, my phone dings again.
JOHNSON: Hey, good morning.
JOHNSON: How’s your day going so far?
GRACE: Honestly? Awesome. I had a killer run earlier.
JOHNSON: Nice.
GRACE: Thanks again for yesterday. All of it…
JOHNSON: I’m pretty sure I’m the one who should be doing the thank yous
JOHNSON: What are you doing for Rori’s match? Do you want to come over?
GRACE: Actually, Jessica texted me, inviting me to watch it with her and Carter at their house. Do you want to join? Obviously we’ll have to be discreet.
JOHNSON: Sure, I’ll text him to confirm. I won’t mention you told me, I can invite myself over.
GRACE: And then maybe we can have some time after the match?
JOHNSON: Absolutely, Goldie.
I take a deep breath, trying to contain my excitement. More time with Johnson, like I wanted.
A few hours later, I pull into Jessica and Carter’s driveway. As I’m getting out of the car, Johnson also arrives. I stand and wait for him to get out.
“You look amazing,” Johnson whispers to me as he approaches my car. He looks around and decides it’s safe to lean in for a kiss on my cheek. “You smell so good too,” he whispers in my ear before taking a quick nibble of it.
I hit him on his shoulder, while I also involuntarily shudder from his bite. “Johnson, don’t get us in trouble.”
We’re both trying to keep from laughing as we approach Carter’s door. Johnson rings the doorbell, and the man himself opens the door.
Carter looks at us both, pivoting his head back and forth, his brow crinkled. “You guys came together?”
I go bright red from his question.Stay cool, Grace. It’s not like you did come here together, even if you may be guilty of…other things.
“No,” Johnson replies calmly. Thank goodness he’s better at staying composed. “We just both got here at the same time.”
“Well, come on in,” Jessica says from behind Carter. “Rori’s already out on the court warming up.”
We walk into their living room, which has a big screen TV displaying the match. The room is more “modest” than Landon and Johnson’s living areas, but that just means it feels like it’s normal sized. Carter doesn’t get the same level of endorsements asa lineman, so he probably wisely chose to avoid overspending on his house.
