Page 32 of Double Fault

As if to prove her point, I blurt, “Put your seat belt on.”

She sticks her tongue against the inside of her cheek, just like she did last night, and slides the belt across her chest. Once it’s latched, she peers over at me. “Happy now, old man?”

I close my eyes. She’s never going to drop the old man thing now.

“Immensely.”

We’re quiet the rest of the way to the park, where there are very few other people out this early. With any luck, we’ll make it back to the room before Maddie is up. I’d hate to be gone when she wakes up after I let her down so spectacularly last night. But the thought of Sabrina running alone made me want to throw up.

Sure, maybe I’m overprotective, but violence against women is a problem all over the world. Sheshouldbe able to run in peace—either at the gym or in public—but the reality isn’t always so simple. My sister was attacked once on a run. By some miracle, a passerby saw and she wasn’t hurt—not physically, anyway—but the trauma of that event has haunted her ever since. So, no, I can’t stomach the thought of Sabrina running alone. I could tell herwhy, but I guess I don’t really care if she thinks I’m just an overbearing asshole.

“How many miles do you usually run?”

She shrugs, tying her hair back. “It depends.”

I turn my baseball cap backward. There’s not enough light out yet to worry about shielding my eyes. “On what?”

“How many I need.” She looks away when she says it, leaving me with the impression that this might be a vulnerable admission for her.

Sabrina Howard is trying to outrun something, but what?

CHAPTER 10

SABRINA

The long,low sigh that escapes me as I sink into the warm, bubbly water would be embarrassing if I weren’t alone.

I didn’t think I liked baths, but I know now the issue wasn’t the event itself but the shitty tubs and cheap supplies I’d only ever had access to. The hotel bathroom came fully stocked with lavender-scented bath bubbles and salts, and after our five-mile run, I need the pampering, so I’m using it all to my full advantage while Noah takes Maddie out for breakfast.

We didn’t talk during the run, and we didn’t speak after.

Surprisingly, the silence wasn’t the least bit strained.

It’s as if he understood that, for me, running is a solitary activity. That I use the time to force the rest of the world to fade away. My worries. My hurts. All of it ceases to exist when I run.

Hands cupped, I scoop the bubbles up so they’re covering my chest, even though I’m completely alone.

Noah has practice again today, and his first match is tomorrow. We’ll cheer him on if that’s what Maddie wants. I’d be lying if I said I’m not eager to watch him play. I looked up footage of his matches online, and, holy hell, was I impressed with what I saw. Though these days, he’s clearly still in his head.Taking so much time off has to be just as difficult on an athlete’s mental game as it is on the physical aspect.

It wasn’t until after I watched the videos that I realized it was a mistake. Because now I can’t help but be even more attracted to him.

But he’s my boss, and I can’t go there, even if he is insanely hot.

My phone buzzes beside me, and when I sit up, the water sloshes, uncovering my breasts.

Lucy: Good night! Well, good morning to you. But good night for us!

I smile at her silly message and dry my hands on the towel hanging over my head.

Me: Sleep well. You have to get enough rest for my future niece or nephew.

Lucy: So you and Alyssa keep telling me. How’s it going down under?

Me: It’s going.

Lucy: That sounds bad.

Me: It’s fine, really. Just adjusting, that’s all.

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