“Yes, your painfully light academic schedule isn’t within my control, sadly, but the rest of your life is, so get up.”
She rubbed her eyes and focused on me. “Did you bang your head this morning? You’re the Five a.m. Club enthusiast. Not me. I like sleep. It’s my hobby. The best part of my day.”
“Take a nap if you need one later.”
“Brody!” Her eyes were finally clear, and she glared at me.
“Selena.” I stood over her with folded arms, channeling my best Coach Williams impression.
“What are you doing?”
“Going running,” I told her, apparently taking her by surprise, as she had no response to that. “And you’re coming with me.”
She scoffed. “I am not.”
“Yes, you are… Every day that you do, I’ll give you an item of your clothes back.”
She opened her mouth to protest but then shut it again. She considered me and then finally, she spoke.
“Two things.”
I grinned at her. “Deal.”
Fifteen minutes later, we stood on the street outside the gates of the property. Selena was wearing my oversized hoodie, a T-shirt of mine, and borrowed sweats. She had her arms folded over her chest and an expression like she was picturing my brutal murder.
“Why are you doing this to me?” she complained.
I turned in a direction and started to jog.
“Come on! I can’t hear you!” I jogged on but slowed my pace so she could catch up.
Then, she was there, running beside me.
She grimaced as though in pain. “This fucking sucks,” she muttered.
“Keep up and stop complaining.”
“You keep up—and stop talking.”
“You first, little heathen.”
She rolled her eyes at me but had to drop the dramatics when we took a hill. The neighborhood was the best in Hade Harbor, and the weather was pleasant, if cool and dim.
It had been a while since I’d run outside, instead of on a treadmill while listening to the financial news. There was something downright wholesome about running while birds sang around you.
I glanced over to see how Selena was enjoying the exercise.
She was red, her forehead sweaty. She looked a second away from giving up.
“What?”
“Nothing. I just thought you were fitter than this,” I teased. “I heard you used to be a cheerleader. I guess it’s just all about being hot and nothing to do with athletics at all,” I mocked, knowing it would distract her and get a reaction.
She snorted. “You couldn’t do half the moves cheerleaders can. You’d probably pop your ball sack just trying.”
I laughed at that, the sound escaping me without thought. Fuck, this girl was funny when she wanted to be.
“That sounds like a challenge,” I put to her.
