She chuckles shyly. “What?”
“They stalked you and said, and I quote,there’s no way you’re just friends with a girl like that.”
She blinks, pausing. “Oh.”
Shit, this is what she is always talking about. “But don’t worry, I shut it down, and said you’re really cool, and they said theycan’t fucking wait to see our friendship this weekend. They promised not to be fangirls.”
Fuck, am I lying now?I need to tell these assholes to back off.
She smiles, leaning against the weight rack. “Dylan.” She shakes her head. “I don’t want to be the center of attention at the party.”
I shrug, raising my hands. “I think anywhere you go, you’ll always be the center of attention. You have that special thing, Ce.” I approach her. “But I won’t leave your side at the party, okay? I’ll make sure they don’t worship the ground you walk on.”
She smirks, almost sadly, and I fucking hate that she feels this way. “Okay,” she says. She holds up her pinky. “You can’t ditch me to hook up with anyone.”
I take her pinky with my own and say, “Promise.”
Marina pops up out of nowhere and says, “You two look like you’re having fun.”
We drop our pinkies as she walks in between us to grab dumbbells.
“Hey, Marina,” Cecily smiles at her. “How are you?”
Marina nods. “I’m good. Yeah. How are you?”
She shrugs. “So, so. Having an off day.”
I look at Cecily and see it in her eyes. I walk back to the bench and start my next set.
Cecily is silent for the rest of the workout, so when we hit the treadmills, I say, “Did I do something to upset you?”
She shakes her head. “It’s not you. I just wish… I wish I were normal.”
“So, was it something I said?” I ask.
“You’re not saying anything that’s not true, so it’s fine.”
I stop my treadmill. “I’m sorry I mentioned your mom.”
She looks at me, and her eyes really do speak for her. “Don’t be sorry. I mentioned yours.”
“Yeah, but with good intent. I feel better.”
I reach over, pressing buttons and say, “Sprint.”
“What?” she gasps, keeping up with the pace.
“I said, sprint. Chase away the feeling, run from them. I don’t know. Just sprint like your life depends on it.”
Her legs run fast. Each time her foot connects with the belt, I can see the worry leaving her. Soon her face is burning red. When she comes down to a walk, she says, “Thank you.”
It feels like I have the shy version of Cecily, and I don’t like it. I need to get out of here.
“See you tomorrow?” I ask, wiping down my machine.
“Yeah. Later, alligator.”
I walk out of the gym and waste no time hopping in my truck and heading home.
