Page 24 of The Promise

A smirk takes over my face and I spin around to face Kyle. “God, it’s like you’re obsessed with me.”

With a quick head tilt he whispers, “Well I guess I am…so, upstairs?” “Can’t, sorry.” My hands land on his shoulders and confusion pulls at his frown. “It’s like a bloodbath down there.”

“What?”

“My period Davis,” I watch the realisation smack him right in the mouth. “You know, the thing that women get every month that makes them want to crawl into a hole and die?”

He scratches the nape of his neck, his blue eyes leaving mine. “Oh,” “Yeah, oh…”

Then his eyes flash up again. “Ok, so…you’re bleeding?”

I rub a tired hand down my face, why are men so annoying? “Yes, Kyle, I'm bleeding.”

“Ok, so?”

“So?” My eyes are wide now, does he not know what a period is? He doesn’t want to go in there and come out looking like Carry on prom night right?

Kyle shrugs and drops a light kiss to my lips. “I still want you, period or not.”

Oh god, ok.

“You really are just so dreamy aren’t you?” I smile and he nods, sealing our lips together again.

“Yeah, I guess I am. Now, get upstairs.”

Chapter 18

Molly

Just breathe and fucking sprint like your life depends on it Molly, come on. I bend my knee, ready to fly through the air and hopefully earn a pat on the back from Mike for making my best time again. I haven’t been able to make it all week and it’s stressing me the fuck out. I can’t relax when I'm at home, I can’t relax when I'm here, I can’t even relax when Kyle has his tongue in places it has every business being in. This regional qualification shit is turning my brain into mush and when I cross the finish line, 0.8 seconds too slow again, I want to shrivel up under the morning sun and evaporate.

Harvey jogs past, landing a pat on my shoulder. “Not bad Mol, I mean with the extra weight you’re doing well to stay on form.”

Sorry, what the fuck did this weasel just say?

“Excuse me?” Is literally all I can force up my throat and out of my mouth right now.

Harvey shrugs like it’s nothing. “You know, the extra weight you’ve put on recently, it will be making it harder for you to run.”

Ok, he really did just go there.

“Hey Harv,” I say sweetly, my fist already clenching beside me. And when he turns to face me, his arrogant smile twisting his mouth, I land my palm against his cheek with a loud slap.

His hand flies to his face, the redness lighting up his cheek like a beacon. “What the fuck Molly?” He yells, steam practically puffing out of his ears. “Don’t you ever speak to me like that again or I’ll set my guard dog on you,” Harvey’s icy orbs widen as he rubs his sore cheek. “His name is Kyle Davis, you know six-foot-two hockey goalie? He’ll put you through the fucking floor next time you speak to me like that.”

I stomp away, my brain a mist of red fog as I head for my car, yanking my phone out and dialling the only person I want to see right now. He can make me feel better, make me forget all of this shit. The stress of qualifying for regionals, my arsehole teammates and my coach who expects me to behave like a machine, pushing out results on a conveyor belt. Well, I can’t do it, I'm human and even though I didn’t think I had gained weight, maybe I have and what’s so wrong with that? Or…maybe there is something wrong with that and I'm being too naive. I know I have to stay in shape to be a good sprinter, I'm not totally blind to that fact. But I don't think I'm any bigger than I was six months ago, am I?

I put my phone away, feeling self consumed by the thought of having gotten fat over the last few months and now just wanting to curl up under my duvet. I’ve never been a self conscious person, not outwardly anyway, but I am a woman and I know it’s not unusual to struggle with your self worth at times.

I walk through the door of my dorm at 5pm and the hunger pangs that were driving me insane all afternoon have suddenly disappeared, along with my security. Callie is at the kitchen island when I throw my bag down on the floor and huff.

She peers up at me from her laptop. “You ok?”

“No,” I squeak, a few tears suddenly pooling in my eyes. “Had a shit day.” Callie’s eyes ping up and she shuts her laptop. “Mol, why are you getting upset?”

She ensnares me in a warm hug, her familiar scent washing over me and a smidge of peace finally seeps into my pours as she holds me. I break the hug and fan my damp cheeks. “Sorry, don’t know what’s gotten into me today.”

“What happened?” She says, eyes concerned and heavy from lack of sleep. “Harvey made a shitty comment about my weight and about me not being able to make regionals.”

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