Page 49 of Run For Me
Me:May have to reschedule Saturday…
JT:Why?
I’m not surprised he answers me right away. The guy keeps a sleep schedule like me. It’s chaotic and unpredictable.
Me:Aunt Flo came to visit.
I laugh after I send the text, realizing how stupid it sounds, but it’s also kind of funny. It’s what my grandmother always called it, and I found it endearing. My grandmother was such a wholesome, pure-hearted human. My grandfather too. They were amazing.
JT:Prove it.
My eyes widen at his text. He can’t be serious. What does he want me to show him? A picture of my dirty pad?
Me:What? Why?
JT:Prove to me you aren’t canceling because you’re scared.
Me:I’m not.
JT:Prove. It.
Me:How?
JT:Show me the blood.
I scoff, getting up from my bed and going to the bathroom. I sit on the toilet and stare at the pad with a small amount of blood on it. Am I really going to do this? Did he seriously ask me to show him this, and I’m about to? This is a level I did not expect to be on. This is easily the strangest thing I’ve ever done. I snap a picture of it and send it, my cheeks warming after I do.
I hurry into the kitchen and grab some frozen waffles to put in the toaster as I await his response. When my phone dings, I pick it up, three rapid-fire messages coming in.
JT:Such a good girl you are.
JT:But I don’t care about your fucking period, Sailor.
JT:It’s just more lubricant for me to fuck you with.
My mouth drops open. I shouldn’t be shocked by his response, but I am. I sort through my thoughts and settle on one.
Me:Then why the hell did you want that picture? Why didn’t you just tell me you didn’t care?
JT:I wanted to see how well you’d listen.
JT:And you listen so well, baby.
I laugh, dropping my phone to the counter.
Games.
It’s all games with him. I’m not even mad about it. I like it, the way his mind works… it’s entertaining. It’s dark, but how dark? I hardly know anything about him. Maybe I should work on that.
Me:So we’re still on for Saturday?
JT:If you don’t show up at the park, I’ll show up at your house.
My stomach does a flip, and I chew on my lip as I think about what to say.
Me:I want to know you better.
JT:Ask me anything.
