It’s been a few hours since class. The sky is overcast and the air is only a little above freezing today, but my skin is hot and my thighs burn in the best possible way as my running shoes hit the pavement. I keep my breathing even as my lungs expand, and I turn back toward Niko.
“You’re slower than me, and my legs didn’t even work a month ago,” I say.
Niko gives me the finger and starts trying to catch up.
My phone buzzes from where I have it tucked in the pocket of my running shorts. I pull it out and I’m disappointed that it isn’t Weston replying to one of my messages from last night.
Kieran: You went to dinner with Onyx guys last night?
I did.
AND??? Did you find anything out?
How many pills does it take before you start typing every word in caps?
You know why it matters to me.
I didn’t find anything out, because there’s probably nothing to find out. See you later, Kier.
Right as I’m about to slide my phone away, the screen lights up again and this time, it’s at least a call from a person I don’t mind speaking to.
“Hey, Mom,” I say.
“Hi, Angie,” Niko says loud enough that she’ll hear.
“How’s it going, boys?” she asks.
“Niko and I are on a run,” I tell her. “You doing okay, Mom?”
“My water heater is out. But Sheri’s coming over to help me out with it.”
“Mom, you’ve got to check if the pilot light is on at the bottom. Make sure no gas is spilling out into the house, okay?”
She laughs. “That was the first thing Sheri told me to do, too. Pilot light is fine, sweetie.”
“Good. Andyou’refine?”
Her sigh alone is enough to make my chest tighten. “I’ll be okay, Sevvie. I just… well, you already know. I wish I had a partner at times like these.”
“Sheri knows how to fix things even better than I do. She’ll help you more than anyone could.”
She chats with me a little more about my plans to drive back home for one night sometime in the near future, and I’m relieved when I hear that she’s been seeing Sheri and a few other friends more.
“I’ll let you go. Enjoy the rest of your run,” she says.
“Bye, Mom. Remember, you’restrong. And I’d say you’re better off alone, but I know you don’t agree.”
She laughs. “Talk to you later.”
Niko slaps me on the arm as I shove my phone back into my pocket.
“What?” I protest.
“You don’t have to try to sell everyone else on being a lone wolf just because you are.”
I roll my eyes. “Just because you’re in a happy couple doesn’t mean I want to be.”
“Someday, some lucky woman will be the one to change your mind.”