They’re both probably busy dealing with the new charter in Meadow Falls. Sure, I get it. Still, I’m missing the club members.
How long do I have to wait to avoid Leah getting upset to return to the clubhouse? Someone must’ve gotten my bike from the other town, I hope.
I want to ride. Surely, I’m in good enough shape to do something as simple as that.
As we start our way down the sidewalk, Leah doesn’t hold my hand like I want her to. So, I capture her palm, needing the contact.
“Just in case I can’t keep up with you.” Squeezing her fingers, I’m relieved when she curls her fingers.
As a paramedic, I’m sure she’s accustomed to speedwalking and rushing around all the time. While I don’t want to hold her back, I know if we’re going to have to go at my pace, that’s exactly what’s going to happen.
She doesn’t seem to mind, steadily keeping at my pace.
Other townspeople are out and about, walking by with shopping bags in their hands, or accompanied by others just hanging out and enjoying the nice weather.
Not too hot, thanks to the few clouds drifting up in the sky. They’re white and full, shaped funny.
This is… nice.
It is, until my stomach aches. Knowing what’ll happen if I ignore the ache, I lead us over to our first bench to take a small break. Leah doesn’t shower me with concern, but I feel the shift of her gaze filled with concern.
“Why haven’t we done this before?” Leaning back against the bench, the warm metal sears my back and feels incredible. “We don’t go out like this.”
Going out would make this feel more like a date than some friendly outing. How would that make her feel? I’m too afraid to say the words, not wanting to scare her off.
She drinks in the lively space, her mouth pinching as she searches for an answer. “I’m normally tired, I think. The long shifts really get me. When I’m not working, and I’m not being dragged over to the clubhouse, I’m usually sleeping.”
Between the cracks of her schedule, she fits me inside. I don’t even mind that she’s using me as a way to unwind from the stresses of her life.
Now that I’m crashing at her place, those slim cracks feel more like gaping holes. These two weeks, she hasn’t been crashing inbetween shifts. She’s given me most of her time.Not because she’s poking and prodding at my injuries all the time, but because we’re casually hanging out. Watching movies, playing games, or just enjoying the other’s presence.
It’s not just the stroll that’s nice, but it’s everything that comes with taking a bullet to the stomach.
It’s making me wonder what it would be like if we were… something. If I got to enjoy this every day, I would’ve taken a hit ages ago.
“We should do this more.” Closing my eyes and breathing in deep, the summer air fills my lungs. “Once I’m better, I mean.”
Leah doesn’t agree, but she doesn’t disagree, either. When I open my eyes again, I realize she’s got her knees tucked to her chin. Her face is pinched, and it’s impossible to tell what’s going on in her head.
“What are you thinking about?” Wishing I could see what thoughts are drowning her mind, I’m left in the dark when she sends a small smile in my direction.
“Thinking about how broke I’ll be if I let you drag me around.” Moving to stand, she looks around. “How about I go snag us some drinks? They’ve got smoothies right two shops down. Stay here.”
When she insists, I realize I’ve overstepped. Damn.
With her demand not to move, I watch with a frown as she runs away.
5
Leah
Heading to Sugar Pine Scoops feels a little silly now that we’re cradling smoothies.
At least Warden is a bottomless pit. He’s about finished with his by the time we reach the small ice cream shack. That, or he’s decided sucking his drink down is better than breaking the silence that formed between us.
He doesn’t bring up my small panic purchase, but the dread in his eyes when I made the offer is enough to tell me that he already knows why I did what I did. Why I needed an escape.
We’ve known each other for four years now, and over that time we’ve grown close. Closer than someone would call a pair of friends. Anyone could look at us now and assume we’re together because of how perfectly we match up so perfectly.
