Page 24 of Wylder and the Secret Rockstar
“We’re going for a run, Wylds. Get up.” Killian bounced on the bed beside her, tugging at the blankets she held in a death grip.
“You have met me, right?” she grumbled. “Wylder doesn’t run.”
“Well, we think Grumpy Wylder needs some exercise to help her feel better so she’ll stop being so mean to her friends.”
“I am not mean.”
“You remember last night at dinner when you told Will off for breathing too loud?”
“He sounded like a horse.”
“That’s not what a horse sounds like,” Devyn said. “Come out with us. It’ll be good for you.”
“Come back in an hour with a reasonable request to join you for breakfast, and I might think about it. I'm not running.”
“Yes, you are.” Killian managed to get her to sit up on the edge of her bed, still wrapped in her blanket. “Get dressed.”
She stared up at him, blinking. “If you insist on making me run, I’m bringing the blanket.”
“I would suggest leggings and a hoodie,” Devyn said. “It’s chilly out this morning.”
“Is it morning? It looks dark out still.”
“It’s six-thirty. We let you sleep in.”
“You’re both mean.” Wylder shook her head. “It’s the middle of the night.”
“It’s a perfectly respectable hour for an early run and a healthy breakfast after to improve your disposition so your friends don’t vote you out of the group.” Devyn pushed her to her feet.
“Vote me out?” Wylder scoffed. “I made this group.”
“And that is why we love you enough to take care of you.” Killian threw her shoes on the floor and turned around. “Now get dressed.”
“I’m dressed.” Wylder emerged from the cocoon of her blanket dressed in the leggings and sweatshirt she slept in.
“You can’t run in your pajamas.” Devyn’s eyebrows rose in surprise.
“Watch me not run in my pjs all the way to the dining hall.” She shoved her feet into her shoes.
“This is as good as we’re going to get.” Killian steered Wylder toward the door.
“What about coffee?” Wylder tried to turn back to their little corner kitchen.
“You don’t drink coffee before a run.” Killian shook his head.
“You might not, but I do.” She scowled at her friends as they frog-marched her through the door and down the hall to the stairs.
“You should stretch first.” Killian held the door open for her, and she cringed at the blast of cold morning air.
“Is this really happening? You’re going to make me run?”
“It’s that or professional counseling.” Devyn bent to stretch her legs, and Wylder tried to mimic her movements.
“I suppose a run won’t kill me.” Wylder pulled her knee up toward her chest and stretched. “Where are we running?”
“Down to the stables and one lap around the lake and back,” Killian said.
“We have a lake?”
