Page 91 of We Shouldn't Be Together
I groan and hand over my backpack. “Fine. Here you go.”
Wearing both backpacks, Kai jogs beside my less than graceful form.
“You got it,” Kai coaches.
I could live without the running commentary, but the encouragement is super sweet.
He continues to cheer me on until we reach the top of the hill. My palms rest on my knees as I bend over panting.
“Told ya you had it,” Kai cheers.
I stand tall and fan my face. “The peppermint mocha may not be the best choice before a run.”
Kai winces, tilting his head at me. “Are you feeling okay?”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m good. Just rethinking a few things.”
“Next time we’ll hydrate first.”
“There will be a next time?”
“I offered to be your running buddy, and I mean my promises.”
Like the promise to protect me. “Maybe next time we can find a flatter surface? And never let me run in this uniform again.”
He nods. “Deal.”
“Here, give me my bag.” I reach for my backpack, but he steps backward.
“No, I got it. Catch your breath.”
I fan the heat from my face. “Since when are you such a gentleman?”
Kai continues to walk backwards ahead of me. “I’m just being a good running buddy.”
“I’ve run with my backpack before,” I say, reaching for it again. “I’ve had to chase Camila’s car when she didn’t wait for me to catch up.”
Kai reefs the backpack away, retching. “Ugh. I am not letting you compare me to Camila.”
I step back, deflated by his disgust. “I’m not, I just…”
The air knocks out of me when the back of my shoe wobbles against unlevel ground. My stomach flips as I stumble backwards off the curb. With a yelp, I fall backward and my foot crunches against the cement curb.
“Tabby!” Kai calls out, and my backpack hits the ground.
Lunging forward, he grabs onto my forearm and hoists me up. In one solid movement, my chest smacks against his front, and his other arm anchors behind my back.
“You okay?” he whispers, holding me against him.
I pant against him, surprised I can feel his heartbeat racing against mine. “Yeah, thanks.”
I lower my heels onto the ground, and in an instant, I groan into a scream.
“Tabitha?” his voice rises with panic. “What is it?”
“My foot,” I whimper, clawing my fingers into his hoodie. “Oh my gosh, I thought I heard something crack.”
Kai keeps hold of me, shifting to view my feet. “Crack as in break?”
