Page 18 of Get Me to the Starting Line

Kicking my shoes off with more force than necessary, I focus my mind on settling back into our morning routine. While Levi eats, I google average times for half marathons.

The average woman runs a half marathon in two hours and eleven minutes. Beginner halves usually take two and a half hours.

Pinching my lips together, I stop myself from swearing again, as I don’t want Levi’s third word to be “fuck.”

I couldn’t even last a minute running. Even if I walk the damn thing, it’ll take me more than four hours. I’ll hold everyone up.

Then again, I’ve waited around at finish lines for Paige to run countless marathons and supported her through many ultras. I know she won’t be upset at having to wait for me to finish, but I don’t want to wreck her celebration weekend. And I do not want to come in last.

Isabeltossesmeabell pepper, nearly hitting me in the head.

“Oops, sorry, Lee!”

“You shouldn’t throw things at people if they aren’t watching,” I tease, taking the pepper and beginning to slice it.

“You were in your own head, I called your name twice,” she shoots back.

“Really? I’m sorry, I must’ve zoned out.” I had been thinking about that morning run. I inwardly snort. I can hardly call it a run. A few feeble attempts at shuffling my feet before giving up. Someone call the Olympics!

I’ve been sore all day. My coworkers kept looking at me funny as I tried to hide my gait from them while limping around the lab. Luckily my job is mostly research, so I can sit on my butt all day, but we’re working on some newer technology that had me out of my seat more than usual.

By the time I had to teach, I was dreading those two hours standing in my classroom. It was the first time I’ve ever considered cancelling a lecture.

“You okay?” she asks. When I glance over, she’s staring at me with concern. Her long blond hair is clipped in a pile on top of her head, her blue eyes wide and sincere. Damn, the genetics in this family.

“I’m fine.”

“Is it Julien?”

I almost spit out the bite of fajita I was taste testing.

“What?”

“Yesterday’s Google Doc war, while entertaining, didn’t end your way.” Howis she so damn perceptive?

“It’s fine.” It most certainly is not fine. My blood boils just thinking about the freaking giant and his stupid muscular legs, which could probably run as fast as a damn cheetah without him getting winded.

“Mm-hmm, fine. You may want to tell your face that.” She smirks, gesturing to my face, which has heated, and not from the steam of the chicken sizzling in the pan.

“Resting bitch face. I can’t help it,” I say with a shrug, hoping my attempt at nonchalance is believable. Because it most certainly is not fine.

She laughs and, thankfully, drops the subject. We continue to work side by side. My concentration keeps slipping back to Levi, who’s cheerfully playing with Q and Penny, Adam and Paige’s giant Newfoundlander dogs, in the living room.

Isabel called me earlier to tell me about an impromptu family dinner night at my sister’s house. Right after I picked Levi up from daycare, I grabbed a few ingredients at the store and came over, picking Maggie and Isabel up on the way. Maggie took my car to grab a few more things since Paige and Adam aren’t home yet. Isabel let us right in—I’m not sure if they know she has a key to their house.

I love their house. It’s not something I’d ever choose for myself as I prefer being in the city. But coming out here is such a beautiful escape. The big wall of windows opens up the space, and I can see out into the bay.

Sometimes we even get to see whales. And I know Levi loves being able to run around in the backyard with Adam’s family.

Ninety-five percent happy for my sister.

Isabel is about to ask me something when the door flies open and Paige and Adam come stumbling in, tangled up in each other. Adam is holding Paige up, her legs wrapped around his waist, her hands running through his hair as they kiss so passionately I have to look away.

They don’t seem to hear as Isabel snorts, locked in their embrace. But what they can’t ignore is the toddler that comes barrelling into Adam’s legs.

“Ahhh!” Their eyes fly open as Paige shrieks and Adam drops her. She manages to catch herself from falling on her ass.

Her hand flies to her chest and both Isabel and I burst out laughing from the kitchen. Since it’s an open-concept house, we can see the door from the island where we’re working.

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