Chapter 7
September
Shane
As the last three-mile mark was displayed, adrenaline, serotonin, dopamine, and all that stuff that puts you in a state of supreme happiness shot through my body.
After running almost forty kilometers through Connecticut, the sign released an energy that two hours ago I was sure I would never find in my body.
The starting gun went off and the overzealous runners spread out across the picturesque town of Oakfalls.
It was some cozy corner of New England. A bit closed off from the rest of the world, the town had everything one could need.
A large historic sign was hanging outside the hardware store, same as on the bakery wall, which exuded inviting aromas. The place appeared contained. Homey.
The spectators on the side of the road enthusiastically cheered on the participants from all over the country.
A longer stretch through the fields and meadows outside the town lay ahead of me.
It turned out to be a real struggle not to lose my nerve on this last section of the route.
The only things you encountered were trees, bushes, the panting of other runners, and occasionally, a few passers-by who did everything they could to keep the mood up.
In the end, everyone was fighting for themselves.
When we finally ran back into the city center, everything became easier again.
Various bands fired up the atmosphere. People were dancing, and the rhythm carried us through the last section of the course.
I was delighted to see the entrance to the main road.
My body absorbed the energy of the spectators, and I could almost forget the pulling in my back, the aching feet, and the lead in my legs.
When I crossed the finish line with a small group of other runners somewhere in the middle of the field, it was like all Oakfalls’s 42,195 inhabitants were standing there cheering us on.
My head was spinning from the voices and the noise. A volunteer stepped in front of me, got on her toes, and awarded me a medal. A banana was pressed into my hand. I had won a banana. Yay!
Why had I thought it was a good idea to pick up the pace for the last bit of the race? I was only doing this for fun and didn’t gain anything from it. My stupid ambition would be the death of me one day.
Fuck—I wanted to collapse and roll on the ground. Just as I was about to go down on my knees, strong arms grabbed me and pulled me up.
“You need to keep walking and slow down first, then you can collapse.”
“Aiden, I don’t want to. I want to lie down here and wither into the ground!” I whined.
But my buddy just laughed. “Come on. There’s a bench over there you can lie down on.”
Panting, I dragged myself to the bench and glared at Aiden through narrowed eyes. “How long have you been finished?”
“Long enough, chicken.” He winked at me mockingly.
Another volunteer came up to us and handed us several energy drinks. “Congratulations and help yourselves.”
I shook my head while Aiden reached for the drinks.
My brother, his girlfriend, and one of their friends came waving toward us. My brother, Nash, patted me on the shoulder a little too enthusiastically. “Congratulations! I don’t know why you guys do this to yourselves every year, but well done. You have my eternal respect!”
“To be honest, I don’t know either!” I whined, which was highly amusing to those around us. Nash pressed my backpack into my hands.
“Here. Everything you need.”
I immediately rummaged around in there. Finally, I found my set of fresh clothes and a jacket, and then gave the bag to Aiden, who was also getting changed.
“I’ll help you stretch,” my brother offered, and I gladly accepted his offer.
While I lay on my bench, Nash pressed and stretched my legs. A few times I feared a cramp was about to break through, but I was lucky. Slowly, I managed to drink small sips.
Finally, the roaring in my head subsided, the adrenaline left my body, and the pain set in.
Why did I do this to myself again? Oh yes. Runner’s high. Tradition.
Slowly, I sat up next to Aiden.
Lorena, Nash’s girlfriend, tugged at his arm. “We want to explore the area. I saw a store selling maple syrup at the other end of the street and wanted to buy some for us. Can we leave you two here by yourself? We could meet up at the car if you don’t have anything else planned.”
I shook my head, and Aiden waved her off. “Go ahead. We’ll grab a bite to eat. Then we’ll be ready to go.” I nodded in agreement with Aiden. The town was nice, but I didn’t have the energy for a leisurely stroll or the after-party.
The two of them disappeared, and Aiden and I trudged over to the food stands.
“What are your plans for today? If you want to, you can come over to my place. We could relax. Netflix and chill?” Laughing, I turned to him, and he put his arm around me. He playfully pulled me to his side and licked my ear.
Years ago, I would have done a lot to end up in Aiden’s bed. Somehow, it had never happened. And now? Now I could feel every single bone aching in my body and hadn’t been able to focus for weeks. On sex, that is.
“I’m afraid I have to decline. Again.”
He shook his head in incomprehension, which made me laugh again.
“If you think playing hard to get makes you more desirable, I have to disappoint you. I’m not into having to work hard for sex.
” He grinned wolfishly. “At least not until we’re in bed.
” He tilted his head to one side and checked me over.
“Or is it still because of your crush?” His question dripped with pity, as if someone who had a crush was to be pitied. The laughter died in my throat.
Was that why I wasn’t searching for anybody new?
“No!” I shook my head vehemently. Because if I were still pining for Ruben, I was a lost cause. Nobody was doing it for me. And that surprised no one more than me. No matter what Aiden was trying to imply.
“If you say so.” Apparently, Aiden had had enough of me. “Let’s get some soup or stew from over there.”
“All right.” My gaze followed Aiden’s hand gesture toward the food stands, and I stopped in my tracks. Ruben’s truck was parked in front of us. And Ruben was staring at us from a distance.
“That’s . . . ”
Aiden didn’t notice my inner shock and kept walking. I quickly ran after him, trying not to run into anybody on my way. When I turned, all I saw was the back door of the truck closing. Was he coming out to meet me?
I walked purposefully toward the truck, which was indeed selling various soups and was the one Aiden was headed to. But no matter how close we got to the shop, Ruben did not reappear. Aiden got in line, and I stepped behind the vehicle. My cook was nowhere to be seen.
I was absolutely sure that I had seen him. I checked between the rows of the other vendors, but Ruben remained missing.
My aching limbs were forgotten as I stormed back to Aiden. Anger boiled hot inside me. Had I imagined it all? Was it not Ruben’s truck?
We got closer, and I checked the inside. The girl serving was the same one Ruben had had with him on the beach.
“Is Ruben here?” I blurted out.
Surprised, she tilted her head up and stared at me.
“Hmm. He’s on break right now.” Her gaze swept over all the people in front of her.
Yeah, you and me, girl. We were both unhappy about Ruben’s Houdini act.
I didn’t need to talk to her to agree with her completely. It was a terrible time to take a break.
Aiden looked back and forth between us. “Do we know each other?”
I shook my head and took my phone out of my backpack. Why did I still have Ruben’s number? He hadn’t been in touch for weeks. Admittedly, neither had I. But . . . I quickly called him, and his smartphone rang inside the truck.
Disappointment and frustration knotted chest into a tight ball. I instinctively rubbed it. That was a pretty damn clear answer. I had tried everything to get in touch but could hardly force him to talk to me.
Aiden ordered for both of us. Food in hand, we stepped out of the shadows into the autumn sun.
I stared at my chicken broth. Aiden tapped the lid with a wooden spoon.
“What now? Do you want to wait some more?”
I glanced around. Ruben still hadn’t shown up. The chokehold of finality took my breath away.
Shaking my head, I turned to Aiden. “No! It’s over. Nash is probably already waiting in the car.”
Slowly, we made our way to the parking lot. Nash and Lorena were indeed already there, rummaging through their shopping bags.
As Nash drove us south on the interstate, I thought about the look on Ruben’s face. Shocked. Incredulous. He couldn’t get the hell out of there fast enough. At least now I knew what his request to meet up had meant. Nothing. Absolutely nothing.