Page 27 of Tortured Tones

“Too easy.” He fell in beside me.

We fell into sync. I let him set the speed. He ran a bit slower than I normally did. He didn’t have to go light on me. For five minutes, just the sounds of our breathing, the gravel and dirt crunching beneath our running shoes, and the random squawk of a bird flying overhead filled the air.

As the path disappeared behind us, Cole turned and ran backward. “So, do you come here often?”

I threw him a that’s pathetic glare.

“Come on, Ava. This is new to me.” He turned and ran forward. “I usually run by myself. I’m not exercising with you if we can’t talk. I’m not a diva.”

“Jury’s still out on that one.”

“Fair call. We didn’t get off to the best start. I’m sorry about that. I’ve had a fucked up couple weeks.” He skipped over a tree root protruding from the uneven track, not missing a beat in his stride. “Finding out I had a kid hasn’t been easy. The preparations for the tour are a whole new level of crazy. The hype we’re causing is fucking incredible. We’ve never needed full-time security before. This is a first for us.”

“That’s great, but remember why I’m here.” I pumped my arms in time with my gait. “I’m on duty to make sure someone doesn’t mug you, stab you, beat you up, or harm you in anyway.”

“I get that. But do you think you could lighten up a little?”

“I’m doing my job, Mr. Tanner.”

“Come on, Ava. I’m trying to be nice.”

“Fine,” I moaned, keeping in time with his long steps. “Have I been here before? Yes. I’ve run this track a few times over the years.”

“Do you live nearby?”

“Los Feliz, near Rowena Reservoir.”

“Is the reservoir where you normally exercise or are you a gym junkie, treadmiller?”

“Both, but I mainly run in Griffith Park.”

“I love running through the hills. It’s the only time I get to myself these days. The fresh air and listening to music help me deal with all the shit that’s going on.”

As I stole a glance at him, a flash of darkness shimmered across his eyes, but it was gone within a couple of strides.

“You okay?” I wasn’t totally unempathetic.

“Yep. Always.” He smiled thinly and waved me forward to head up a narrow section of trail through the trees ahead of him. He may have been a performer, but he was a horrid liar. Or maybe I just saw through his bullshit. I’d learned to do that thanks to my ex.

As I jogged in front, I felt him checking out my ass. He could look all he liked, but there was no way he was getting a piece of it.

He rejoined my side when the track widened. “Thanks for helping with Charlotte this morning. I’m still getting my head around having a kid, how to handle it, and what the fuck to do.”

“Understandable.” But to avoid going down an emotional path, I threw him some smack. “Are you sure you’ve only fathered one child? Going by your reputation, you might have more kids land on your doorstep.”

“Fuck! Don’t freak me out. One is more than enough.”

“Sorry. I shouldn’t tease.”

“I don’t mind that—just not the reality.”

“There’s only one way to stop the possibility of having more babies.”

“Yeah, well, I’m not about to give up fucking women.”

“So I’ve noticed.”

He chuckled. “I don’t know how you do your job.”

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