mine. Unzipping the side, I grab a small notepad and pen from the bottom. Scribbling a quick note.
Sulli abandons her backpack. Sidling next to me, she cranes her neck over my shoulder and reads the note.
I wrote: Morning run with Sulli. Be back soon. – 9
She motions for me to hand her the pen, and I give it to her. Below my words she draws three little waves.
With a smile, I whisper, “Who said this was a group note?”
“Hardy-har-har.” She leans down for another doodle.
I steal my pen back.
She pushes me lightly in the arm, smiling. Her smile expands my lungs. Lifts my chest. Makes me feel really good. I love when I’m in her good graces. Love when our playful dynamic is back in action. Hate when it’s all burned to shit in the land of awkward friendship.
Then don’t be friends, Nine.
The thought nearly steals my breath. I keep moving. Tip-toeing to the sleeping mats, I leave the note near Banks. Close to his hand.
He’ll notice it.
More silently, Sulli and I make our way outside. To the dewy, dark morning. We go behind the motel and into the wooded thicket. I see what she removed from her backpack. She tips a small travel-sized bottle of mouthwash to her lips and then swishes. It’s casual, but fuck it’s sexy.
I’ve seen her do that a thousand times before.
And each time rushes back to me in a heat wave.
Sulli hands me the bottle, and I take a swig. I watch as she spits on the ground. Would she spit out my cum or swallow it?
I think she’d try both.
Cold wind barely pricks my skin. I try to regain some focus by handing her the empty bottle back. I spit the mouthwash in the grass.
She free-throws the bottle into a dumpster we left back at the motel. A basketball court away, and the mini-bottle still lands perfectly in the trash.
I shake my head. “Foul ball.”
“Total swish.” She walks backwards into the woods, a playful smile on her lips. “Race you?”
“Only if you pretend to tie me,” I tell her seriously. “We’re shit-knows where. I can’t lose you out here.”
“Deal.” She holds out her hand for a handshake, but I know better.
I go for it, and before she can clasp her fingers with mine, I drop my hand and run past her.
“Cheater!” she calls out with a grin.
“I didn’t say I play fair!” I yell back.
Darkness is just receding. Light barely rising from the horizon. This has always been my favorite time to run with her. Early mornings with Sullivan Meadows—they’re a strong heartbeat to my life.
Can’t live without them.
Can’t live without her.
She takes what I said to heart and keeps my pace, which definitely isn’t the one she normally sets. She’d be at least a mile ahead of me by now.
We venture further into the woods, on a path that I scoped out last night during my call with Price. Just in case she’d want to do a morning workout.
When Sulli runs, she looks free. Like she’s letting go of every stressor. Every worry. She doesn’t clock her run times as often as her swims. Though, she’s made for the water. That’s undeniable. No asshole can say otherwise.
Not even me.
My soles pound the dirt much heavier than hers. She takes measured, controlled breaths, and each foot down is a stronger, lighter foot forward. She’s physically stronger than any woman I know. And while we run, I can’t stop looking at her.
I skim her up and down. Hot blood courses through my veins. My eyes land on her ass, her legs that flex, her green eyes that give me a you-keeping-up-Kits? competitive smirk.
No I haven’t kept up, Sulli.
I’ve fallen really far behind. It hurts to think that it’s taken me this long to see her. To really see her.
But I know it’s good I didn’t before.
It couldn’t be too early.
I just hope I’m not too late.
Reaching a cluster of trees with moss-covered bark, we both slow to a stop. Fog rolls in, morning light bathing us.
Her ponytail is loose. And she’s barely broken a sweat while my chest rises and falls trying to catch breath. But I can’t blame that completely on the run.
“Not too slow, Kits. You might be able to outpace me next time.” She slugs my arm.
I drink in her strong features.
Her breath hitches.
Inhaling, I say, “I’d only stand a chance if I tie your ankles together.” Brushing a hand through my thick, black hair, the strands just fall back into