“No problem. We’re hoping to get some help this Friday and Saturday. Would you be available on one of those days?”
It’s only Tuesday, so my brain has to focus as I remember my upcoming shifts at the restaurant. “Yeah, I can do Saturday.” I might as well do some service since Connie did the hard part of arranging it. Although she could’ve told me she sent in the application.
“Perfect. We’ll have you meet at an address that I’ll send you when we hang up from this call. Be there by seven in the morning on Saturday, and you’ll head out from there.”
“What time willwe be done, and do I need to bring anything with me?”
“The bus usually comes back around six in the evening. If you have any work gloves, that would be ideal. Everything else will be provided.”
“What is it we’re scheduled to do?” I ask, trying to plan. “And am I allowed to recruit people to come with me?” It wouldn’t hurt my roommates to do a little service. But do I want them breathing down my neck if I meet someone at this cleanup?
Meet someone when I’m in dirty work clothes and smell like body odor from sweat? Connie’s messed with my brain too much this time for that to even be a possibility.
“I don’t have the project details here, sorry. And we usually have a full bus. If they’d like to come, have them meet us at the project, and I can send you the address, or apply for the next one.”
“Okay, thank you.”
I set the alarm already for Saturday morning on my phone. I’m going to have to be up early to get there on time.
I’m not sure what else to do. My body is tired, but my brain is still buzzing with everything that’s happened today.
I open the coupon booklet again and smile. I take a picture of the running buddy couponand text it to Laney.
I’m calling this one in for tomorrow. What time?
She doesn’t respond for a few minutes, but when the text comes through, I’m smiling.
How about 7:00 am?
Awesome. I’m working on hydrating now, coach
I take a sip from my steel water bottle and lean back. Maybe I’m just new at this, or I haven’t had the right woman to text, but this connection with Laney is something I haven’t experienced before. And while part of me is nervous about making anything too serious, I want to see where it leads.
Hopefully not to brokenheartsville.
CHAPTER 12
LANEY
I’ve never in my life been this excited to run.
I didn’t sleep. Well, I dozed off occasionally, but I think I slept better during that nap in Florida than for the eight hours I had to sleep at home. It’s a giddy feeling, like getting ready for Christmas morning.
Six thirty comes and I get out of bed and dress, wishing I’d told Burton an earlier time. Then again, I probably would’ve had the same issue.
I grab an apple from the basket on the counter and take a bite, trying to figure out what we’re going to do today. I’ve never had a desire to be a personal trainer, so this is unfamiliarterritory. But if I can make running fun for myself, and have an accountability partner, it will be worth it.
Glancing out the window at six forty-five, Burton is rubbing his eyes as he sits on the front step of the lacrosse house.
I put on my gloves and walk out the door. He doesn’t see me until I’m halfway across the street, when he stands and grins.
“You got out here early,” I say, laughing.
He shrugs. “Maybe I was a little excited about this. What are you doing out here earlier than your set time?”
“I’m just making sure I don’t have to haul your behind out of bed.”
We both laugh, and he claps his hands and then rubs them together. “It’s colder out here than I expected. I need to invest in some gloves like those.” He points to mine.
