Page 51 of Running Into You
“I want you to.” I answer so quickly, I almost cut him off and he smiles, relieved.
“Good. As for…” He runs his hands through his hair and shrugs, “everything else, I think we should just be friends for now. You’re important to me, and I don’t want to lose you.” His voice is almost raw, and I can tell that this week has been hell for him, too. I know he’s right, but it still hurts. I can’t seem to find my voice, so I just nod and will myself not to start crying again. “I’ll see you Monday at five thirty?”
“If you can keep up with me.” I say, limping away. “Just kidding. I’m still slow.”
“Goodnight, Speedster.”
“Goodnight, Josh.”
Chapter 30
Josh
“You know, you could at least pretend to find this challenging, for my sake.” Betty huffs as she jogs beside me.
“I prefer to struggle internally. Underneath this calm exterior, there brews a tsunami of hardship.”
“How noble of you.” She pants as we turn onto a new street. This is our third run together since last week’s hiatus. She’s been doing so well that I decided we should aim for a longer run today, jumping from three point five miles to five miles. We’re in the home stretch now and she’s definitely feeling it.
“You’re doing great. It’s good to move out of your comfort zone every once in a while. The next time we run, we’ll move back to four miles. You’re almost there.” She doesn’t say anything, but she squares her shoulders and keeps going.That’s my girl, I think as I watch her proudly.
The weather has been mild for this time of year, but we’ve had to dress warmer all the same. Betty is wearing a new pink beanie, the color perfectly matching her cheeks. I keep this observation to myself. I really missed our runs last week. I tried to go on my own for one, but it wasn’t the same. Everything reminded me of her.
Things between us have felt easier every day. Yesterday we texted back and forth for most of the afternoon, and it felt like it did when I’d first moved into the building. It felt great. I’m not saying that I don’t miss the physical side of our relationship, because that would be a lie. Even now, I’d like nothing better than to finish this run and take her directly to bed. But until I figure out what she really wants, that will have to wait.
“Aaaaaand that’s five miles!” I tell her when we’re two blocks from home.
“Holy shit!” she screams as she slows to a walk. “I just ran five miles?!”
“You’re damn right you did, Speedster.” It’s impossible not to smile as she proceeds to poorly execute several dance moves. It’s her own personal touchdown celebration, and I let her have it. “Is that supposed to be the Charleston?”
“Wait until you see my cabbage patch.” She laughs but doesn’t continue dancing.
“I’m waiting.”
“You’re not ready for it.” She shakes her head.
“Come on. You can’t throw it out there and then not deliver.” I plant my feet and cross my arms in front of my chest.
“I’m doing this for your own good.” She plants her hands on her hips, facing me. “You can’t handle my cabbage patch. It’s my signature move.”
“I thought your signature move was the lean from the Smooth Criminal video,” I say and she doubles over laughing.
When we were kids, I convinced her and Rilla that the physics-defying lean move in Michael Jackson’s video for Smooth Criminal was actually possible and then sat back, watching them repeatedly fall on their faces for the better part of an afternoon. Betty was already out of breath when she started laughing, now she may as well be underwater. I grab her arms to steady her, and then because I can’t help myself sing, “Betty, are you okay? Betty, are you okay? Are you okay, Betty?” At this, she laughs so hard that she stops making noise altogether and just shakes all over. She leans into me, and I wrap my arms around her as we both try to stop our howls of laughter. It feels so good to hold her again. Too good. Finally, she pushes herself back and wipes the tears from her eyes.
“I can’t believe you remember that.” She grins, still breathless.
“Are you kidding me? You both fell down so many times. It’s one of my best memories.”
She shoves me at this, and we climb the stairs to our building.
“I have a stitch from laughing.” She groans, rubbing her side.
“Deep breaths, Speedster.” We climb the stairs in content silence, and I pause at her door. I’m not ready to say goodbye to her yet. “Congrats on another milestone. You’re doing so well.”
“Earning my stars one run at a time.” Her smile is so genuine, my heart threatens to explode in my chest. She’s using the calendar I got her. I swallow and put my hands in my pockets.
“Got any plans this weekend?” I ask as casually as I can. Her face falls.
