As we make our way around the track we chat more about classes, books, music, and my love for British television. He is easy to talk to. It doesn’t feel like we’ve just met. I don’t know if it’s him trying to be likable or if we actually have a lotin common.
“Should we call it?” he asks, watching all the other runners finishing their five miles and gathering for some sort of post run debrief.
“Probably.” I massage my thighs that are currently throbbing with every step. It seems a little cruel that my muscles are aching from a forty five minute stroll.
A group of runners a few feet away shout at Joe to let him know they’re ready to leave. He holds up a finger signaling them to give him a minute.
“What are the chances you’re free for dinner later?” he asks. “I want to know more about the fae underworld you were telling me about. You can’t leave me hanging like that.”
“I’m sorry to disappoint you but you’ll have to wait until another day to satisfy your curiosity or read the book for yourself. I have to work tonight.”
“Another time then?” The hope in his voice is endearing.
“Definitely. Do you have your phone?” I ask. He hands it over before I even finish my question, making me laugh. “Text me.”
“I will. And I’m going to look into that book forum you told me about too. Maybe I’ll see you online.”
“Maybe.” I rake my teeth over my bottom lip.
“It was nice to meet you, Sydney Pierce,” he says, walking backwards toward his friends.
“Nice to meet you, too, Joe…”
“Clark,” he says, answering my unasked question.
I wait until he is a speck in the distance before I hunt down Charlie. I find her laid out in the grassy field still catching her breath.
“Am I dead?” she asks between staggered breaths.
I lay down beside her. It feels good to be off my feet. “I’m not going to be able to get up,” I tell her.
“I can’t feel my legs. It’s fine. Did you give him your number?”
“I did. How did it go with Trevor?” I lay my forearm over my eyes to block out the sun.
“Not good. Connor on the other hand has potential. Are you going to go out with Joe?”
I lift a shoulder even though she can’t see me. “Maybe.”
“You should. He’s cute.”
“He looks like the sixth member of a boyband,” I joke.
“I see no problem with that. Give him a chance.”
I’ve been giving other guys a chance for the last four years. I don’t know what would make Joe any different than the others. Which is exactly why I should stay focused on myself.
“He has my number. We’ll see what happens,” I say, standing up. “I need to get ready for work.” By get ready I mean, spend the next few hours doing nothing while I mentally prepare myself to be around people again.
“Help me,” she says, holding up her arms. “Is he going to show up again ya think?” Charlie stumbles a little as she finds her legs.
“I would be less surprised if he wasn’t thereat this point.”
I always wonder if Koa showing up at the bar where I work is another errand Nash has sent him on or if he is choosing to do it on his own. And why does it make a difference to me?
He’s been popping up at most of my shifts since the day I started working at Ray’s. He never says hello. He barely acknowledges me. He sits in the back of the bar like a ghost haunting me. I’m not allowed to touch him. Sometimes I can’t even see him. I can only feel him. And I feel him everywhere.
2
