Page 90 of We Shouldn't Be Together
“Only if you don't mind how many times you'll lap me.”
He smirks. “I’d take it easy on you.”
I nod. “I’ll think about it.”
“So, do you want me to walk you home?”
I bite my lip and relax into a smile. “Sure. Let’s call it a rehearsal of you not ditching me.”
“Why would I ditch you when I’m volunteering to walk the long way home?”
“I dunno, Kai. Why would you?”
He fidgets with the straps of his backpack. “I’m not planning on ditching you.”
“Okay,” I say, nodding as my face heats up. “Cool.”
19
KaiandIleaveMain Street and turn onto hilly Saber Street. As the incline of the hill increases, my wide steps are basically lunges. Okay, this is so not cute. Why would I accept his offer to walk me home when I’m gonna turn into a red, panting mess?
“How you doing, Jones?” Kai smirks. “You need a boost?”
“A boost?” I pant.
“Piggyback?” he jokes. “Cradle you in my arms?”
“Ah, no way. I got this.”
“It sure looks that way,” he snickers.
“Stop laughing at me,” I complain. “I need to conserve my energy.”
“We’re almost there,” Kai says, breaking into a jog beside me. “Why don’t you jog the rest of the way?”
“In a skirt and blazer? Are you crazy?”
“You’ll have them washed when you get home.”
“I’m not jogging.”
Kai runs backwards a few feet ahead of me. “Come on, it’ll be over before you know it.”
“Are you capable of letting anything go?”
He grins. “Not really. Now, come on, Tabitha. Knees up.”
“How can I run with this backpack?”
He reaches his arm out. “I’ll take it.”
“You’ll jog with two backpacks?”
“Sure. I’ll strap yours to my front. It’ll be like weight training. Come on, give it.”
“Seriously?”
He claps his fingers against his palm, not giving up.
