Page 25 of Wylder and the Secret Rockstar
“It’s back near the hiking trails. I thought you knew everything about this campus.” Killian jogged in place.
“Hiking trails? I know all the best ways to leave campus and pilfer the things I need, and none of that involves hiking trails or laps around the lake.”
“Let’s go.” Devyn hopped in place for a moment before setting off toward the stables where she spent most of her time.
“Wait, why aren’t you making Diego run? How does he get out of this?”
“Diego isn’t a depressed layabout in a perpetual bad mood.” Killian stood with his hands on his hips. “He runs everywhere he goes, and he’s not afraid of a little exercise.”
“I’m not afraid.” Wylder reluctantly followed Devyn at a much slower pace, and Killian fell in step beside her, urging her on.
“Next time you two stage an intervention, bring movies and chocolate. At night.” Wylder was already wheezing by the time they ran past the stinky stables and up the hill along the path through the woods she typically avoided.
“Watch your breathing, Wylds. In and out.”
“I don’t do hills,” she panted.
“We’re almost to the top, and then it’s downhill all the way to the lake.” Killian jogged beside her, not even winded.
“I hate you a little bit.” She ran full out just to keep up with his steady jog.
As the incline leveled out, Wylder’s steps faltered, and she almost fell down. She imagined herself rolling down the hill if not for Killian reaching out to grab her and set her back on her feet.
“How are you so bad at this?” Killian laughed, and she reached to swat him.
“She’s a bit of a sloth.” Devyn turned to run backwards down the hill just to show off her superior coordination.
“Do I make any of you lay around, watch movies, and drink coffee?”
“Constantly,” Devyn and Killian replied.
“Well, that’s because my behaviors and habits are completely normal.”
“Come on, pick it up, slacker. The path around the lake is super easy and flat.” Killian drove her to run faster.
“How about speed-walking? Can we try that?” Wylder gasped as they made the first turn around the huge lake. There was no way she would make it all the way around without walking or collapsing. Already, she clutched a stitch in her side. “I’m too winded.”
“You know, if you’d focus on your breathing, you’d be fine. Right now, you’re actually closer to panicking.” Killian clapped her on the back.
“I am breathing.” Wylder gasped.
“You’re not doing it right.”
“How do you breathe wrong?”
“Look, it’s Mr. Cook!” Devyn waved at Sebastian running right toward them.
“Of course, he’s a runner,” Wylder muttered.
“Morning.” Sebastian waved and slowed to a walk.
“Oh, we get to walk now?” Wylder stumbled as they slowed their pace, grateful Killian grabbed the back of her shirt to keep her on her feet. Again.
“Miss Anderson.” Sebastian’s lips twitched. “You didn’t strike me as the early-morning-run type.”
“I’m not.” She gulped in air. “I was kidnapped. You’d better call my parents to come get me before these two kill me.” She bent over with her elbows on her knees.
“How long has she been running?” His voice took on a note of concern.
