It’s North, standing in his running clothes with crossed arms and a decidedly grumpy expression.
Why is he grumpy? He just scared the shit out of me, not the other way around.
Crossing my arms instinctively over my chest, I stop in front of him. “What are you doing here?” I ask, my voice tinged with caution.
He answers with a simple statement, “We’re going on a run.”
We are?
I can’t help but laugh bitterly. “I’mgoing on a run. You can do whatever.”
North’s response catches me off guard. “Andwhateveris going on a run with you.”
I furrow my brow. “Why?” I ask, genuinely puzzled.
“Because I want you to be and feel safe,” he replies.
A shiver runs down my spine as I think about what happened that made him believe I might feel unsafe in the first place. “You guys can’t use what Adam did as an excuse to hang around all the time,” I protest.
Maybe that’s what Nash is doing. They see an opening because I’m scared.
North is resolute. “It’s not an excuse. We want to… no,needto make sure you’re safe, and honestly, I want you to be carefree again and not look over your shoulder and jump at everything like you just did. That’s not who you are.”
I make a grunting sound, embarrassed he had seen me so jumpy. “I don’t need your pity. I’m fine.”
“Do you feel safe?” he asks, his tone gentler now, but he clearly wants an honest answer because his gaze bores into mine.
I hesitate, unable to lie and tell him yes but unsure how to answer otherwise.
North continues, “As long as the answer to this question isn’t an enthusiastic yes, I’m going to be your shadow on your runs so you can feel safe. I don’t think Adam would dare try anything again. He’s a fucking coward, and Nash got him pretty good, but we all understand if you’re jumpy for a few more days. Do you want to report him?”
I shudder. “I don’t think I can do that, although I guess I should, so he won’t do it to anyone else.”
“It’s okay, I’m gonna handle it for you. You don’t have to think about him anymore.”
I mumble defensively, “I’m not a scared little girl.”
Although Iamscared for sure.
Who wouldn’t be after that fuckup?
North takes a step forward, pushing a strand of hair that had fallen into my eyes back behind my ear. “No, you’re not. You’re a badass. But even badasses can use some backup from time to time. Ask Spider-Man. He would be lost without MJ.”
I can’t help but smirk. “So, in this scenario, I’m Spider-Man, and you’re MJ?”
He nods, a slight smirk forming on his lips too. “Sorry, Lio made us watchSpider-Manfor the hundredth time.” He steps back and gestures toward the path. “Come on, let’s go. I won’t say a word and will give you enough space to just run and not think about anything. Do your thing.”
Did he really listen when I told him that? That I run to empty my head?
I nod, realizing it can’t hurt to have someone looking out for me. North is already here, and both of us would be going for a run anyway. So I start my jog with him trailing behind me at a respectful distance.
Running my usual track at my normal pace, I can almost forget that Satan is dogging my every step. But I don’t because knowing he has my back allows me to relax, making it easy to focus on my breathing and steps.
Soon, we’re back at the van again. Placing my hands on my knees, I take deep breaths, feeling my pulse in my throat. When I straighten, I turn to look at North, but he’s already walking to his BMW parked at the end of the lot. I only notice it now because the sun has finally risen, casting its light across the town. Without a word, he gets in and drives off.
Okay, then.
I wonder if Nash is still here, but I want to freshen up before I check. Feeling hot and sweaty, I walk back to the restaurant andenter the restroom to wash myself at the sink, changing into the black tights and gray sweater I had brought earlier. When I’m finally done, I head back to the van, only to find it empty.
