Page 78 of Protecting Christina

Those were the only words spoken before we both set out jogging next to one another.

The sun had risen, but it wasn’t too warm out yet. The cool breeze over my face and legs felt good. The boys and I kept in shape with regular exercise, so this morning’s jog wasn’t something out of the norm. And still…

“So, what’s going on?” Christian asked.

“Nothing much,” I said, hoping this was just a general inquiry into my life.

Christian didn’t reply. He simply pumped his arms beside me, our bodies moving in sync. He was a much bigger guy than I was, but I could always hold my own with him. It was one of the reasons we became close in the army. I was the only one willing to stand up and spar with him in the ring. Funny enough, I pictured my father’s face every time I got inside of a ring. My father was bigger than I was as a child, of course, so Christian’s size was therapeutic in a way. Every time I hit him, I envisioned hitting my father.

“What’s going on with you?”

“Nothing.”

And this was why I’d chosen Christian today.

I smiled as we entered Central Park and took one of the trails. I inhaled deeply and let out as much frustration as I could. I didn’t want to think about Christina leaving last night. I didn’t want to think about how it felt that she didn’t want to take things to the next level. She held me at arm’s length and wouldn’t let me in. I needed to tear down her wall, but I had no idea how.

“I know I don’t say much, but I can’t be this fucking annoying, can I?”

I nearly stumbled over a pebble. “What?”

He shook his head. “I’ve been out of it lately, but you’ve never been this quiet on a run before. Is it something at work?”

“No,” I said. “Yes. Well, sort of.”

“Yeah. That answer is about as fucked up as I thought it would be. What’s going on, Will?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Well, if nothing is eating you up, then I’ll let it go.”

I was relieved that Christian wasn’t pushing. Except, when five more minutes passed, and the words clawed their way up my throat, I couldn’t hold them back any longer. “I just don’t understand women.”

He stopped running and put his hands on his hips. “Shit. I was hoping it wasn’t that.”

“Why?”

“Because neither do I, brother.”

I smiled and wiped the sweat forming on my forehead. “I just don’t get what she wants from me.”

“What do you mean?”

“I planned this perfect date. I hired Haruto to cook us dinner at my place. I bought her a fancy purse and an expensive piece of jewelry, and when I asked her to stay the night, she picked up her clothes and left. What did I do wrong?”

Christian crossed his arms and sighed. “Damn, Will. You sound like buying her those things would buy her love or something.”

I shook my head. “No. I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Well, then how did you mean it?”

I inhaled and thought about my words. “I guess I wanted to show her how much I cared about her. That I wanted to give her everything she could ever want.”

“But maybe that’s not her love language.”

“Her what?”

He rolled his eyes. “Her love language. Maybe she’s not into gifts, maybe she wants to be shown love in other ways.”

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