Torin (Hope City #9) - Maryann Jordan Page 0,56
caught her attention, and she swung her head around to see Torin rip his long-sleeved running shirt over his head and toss it toward the side of the street. A grin of appreciation spread over her face as she stared at the short-sleeved shirt showing off his sleeve of tattoos and the tight muscles of his arms.
“I think I want a tattoo,” she blurted, almost laughing at how quickly he now jerked his head around to look at her.
“What on earth made you think of that now?”
She inclined her head toward his arm. “Seriously? Your tattoos are hot, and I now think that I want something to commemorate this day.”
A smile met hers. “The race?”
“The race. The sense of freedom. The endorphins. The camaraderie. Everything.” She glanced forward, careful of her running placement with the other runners around before she looked back up at him. “But especially running with you at my side.”
His smile dropped and he grumbled, “Damn, girl. I’ve got to concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other for the next three hours, and all I want to do is stop and kiss you.”
“Keep running,” she laughed. “Time for kissing at the finish line.”
Torin kept his focus on the race… well, almost all his focus. Okay, maybe only part of my focus. Running was rote, keeping a steady pace, correct breathing, and watching where he was going in relation to the other thousands of runners all moving in the same direction.
But he could not help but glance to the side at Erin constantly. At first, he told himself that it was because he wanted to make sure she was doing okay. After all, twenty-six miles of continuous running over about four hours was a toll on anyone’s body. But truthfully, he had to admit that he was drawn in by the expression of joy on her face.
It was as though she were awakening from a long sleep and discovering the delights of the day once again, and he was there to witness the transformation.
Christ, when did I turn into a poet? He knew the answer to that. It was when Erin opened up to him, allowing him to share in her life, giving him the freedom to allow her to share in his. Trying not to trip over his feet, he turned his attention back to the race.
“What stage are we at?”
He was surprised at her question considering the race map was on her smartwatch. “Just about the halfway point. Definitely entered the middle miles.”
“No, I mean emotionally.”
He grinned. They had been reading about the emotions of running a marathon as well as the physical demands. “We’ve made it through anticipation, euphoria, adrenaline, and fortitude. Are you into boredom yet?”
Erin barked out a strangled laugh. “With you? Boredom doesn’t even figure into the equation.”
“Good to know,” he chuckled. “Okay, then I’d say we’re about to enter doubt. Give it another mile or so and we’ll enter denial and anger and bargaining.”
“Oh, God, I’m not sure I can even make it to bargaining!”
“Then you’re definitely in the doubt stage.” He looked over toward the side. “Let’s move over there and get a banana.”
They had sipped on their water and had an energy gel after the first half-hour. Nutrient stations along the side of the racecourse held more energy gel packets, water, and bananas. Carefully making their way toward the sidewalk, they each grabbed an offered banana and quickly peeled it, tossing the peels toward the trash bin while still jogging in place. Re-entering the fray, they settled into their steady pace again, eating as they ran.
“Porta-potties coming up,” he noted, glancing at the race map on his smartwatch. “You need a break?”
“Nope. I can’t believe it, but I’m good,” she replied. “You?”
“I’m good, too.”
“Thank God, I can’t imagine stopping now even for a short break!”
He agreed but said nothing, trying to conserve energy. He was sure he’d entered the bargaining stage. Just let me make it, and I’ll do penance for a year!
Runners all around kept their own paces, some moving past them and others they passed. A few had the lean bodies of people who ran all the time and others jogged along, their faces showing that the early euphoria had waned and they now wondered what the hell they’d gotten themselves into. Glancing down at Erin, he noted her toned limbs and determined face. “That’s my girl.”
She looked up, a crinkle between her brows. “What?”
He blinked, not realizing he’d spoken out loud. “Sorry, just