Page 33 of No Way Home
Hi, it’s Maggie. We should probably come up with some kind of schedule. I’m working at Dr. Torres’s office in Honeyville all summer. I probably can’t train before work. I have to be there at 7:30 am and it’s a commute, as you know. But I get off at four most days.
My molars ground together. Just great. She had my number now. The last thing I needed was for her to start texting me all the time. So I didn’t respond.
(555) 016-8472
I know you read my message. You have your read receipts on.
I swore, swiped to my settings, and let my finger hover over the toggle switch. But if I turned them off now, she’d know.
(555) 016-8472
I know you can’t stand me…
“False.”
(555) 016-8472
And I’d say we could just train separately and show up on race day to run together…
“Terrible idea.”
(555) 016-8472
But I doubt we’d make a great team if we did that, and I’d really like to win. I could use that cash to help with med school tuition, and I know your parents actually make you work for your money. So I’m sure you could use it too.
“Facts.”
While she typed her next message, I added her to my contacts.
Griffin’s Magnolia
I’ve never done a Spartan Race before, and I could really use some pointers. I have no idea how to throw a spear or swing across the rings. I’m a decent runner though. I ran cross country in high school, and I still run three times a week.
I closed my eyes, testing myself. I pictured us running together, hoping for once not to feel the stupid swoopy attraction I always felt when I talked to her, saw her, thought of her. But that feeling was right there, like always, taunting me.
Griffin’s Magnolia
If you don’t want to train together often, I can train with Griffin. He says we can lift weights at your parents’ gym, so I can get more upper-body strength.
“Gosh dang it.” I had no choice but to respond now.
How did you get my number?
Griffin’s Magnolia
He’s alive!
I glared at her message.
Griffin’s Magnolia
Charlie.
That meant she’d been too afraid to ask Griffin, and sheprobably didn’t want him to know she was texting me. Which also told me she must really want to win the race.
Meet me at the obstacle course at Dupree Ranch tomorrow at 7 pm. DON’T train with Griffin. He’s sloppy and lazy, and he’ll teach you bad habits. He might be your boyfriend, but if you want to win this race, you need to treat him like competition. Which means you can’t take pointers from him, okay?
Griffin’s Magnolia
