Page 51 of Get Me to the Starting Line

I don’t pry though. It’s none of my business. Paige will talk about it if she wants to.

“So are you guys, like, dating?” she asks. Though Leah had already answered this unasked question this morning.

“No.”

I can’t see her face, unable to judge what she’s thinking.

“Julien, give me something,” she urges.

For the sake of my legs, I do. “I’m helping her learn how to run.” There, that wasn’t so hard.

“But why you? If she needs help, she should ask.”

Leah told me asking for help is hard for her. I’m sure Paige knows this, and that’s probably why she’s so upset.

“I think it’s easier to take h-help from someone you don’t like than someone you love.”

“She doesn’t like you?” she asks as if I made a joke.

“She’s always calling me a jackass.” Even I hear the frown in my voice.

Paige snorts.

It makes me turn to prop myself up on my elbows. Though her hands are still on my legs, I get a reprieve. I give her a questioninglook, and she shakes her head, pushing my shoulder in a silent command to lie back down.

When she begins again, she’s much gentler, her usual strong pressure back. Thank god. There’s silence as she works through the tightness in my muscles. My calves get a nicer treatment than my hamstrings, but it’s still a little harder than absolutely necessary.

“When do you run?” she asks quietly. I know better than to answer—it’s not my place.

“You’ll have to ask Leah.” That answer earns me a rough stroke of my calf. I have to take a deep breath in.

“I’m asking you.”

“Are you trying to torture me for information?” I say through my clenched jaw.

“Yes.”

At least she’s honest.

“T-Talk to Leah,” I say again.

“Oh, I will.”

And the torture continues.

Unknown

Paige is on the warpath, watch out

Who is this?

Julien

how did you get my number?

Adam

Of course. Did she talk to you today?

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