Page 103 of See You at the Finish Line

Mateo throws his hands in the air. “Did you not learn your lesson? You’re an idiot! You have to actually talk to her about this.”

“I was thinking of making a big romantic gesture.” The idea—showing up at Leah’s house with my stuff packed in Paige’s Jeep, and Q jumping out to greet her—starts to look less and less appealing the more I talk to Mateo.

“You’re an idiot, Adam.”

I know what he means. I feel like an idiot. I whip my phone out to text Paige. Back in Utah, while she was in the shower, I took her phone and plugged in her password. Like a proper stalker, I put her number in my phone and updated my contact with my real number in hers.

“What are you doing?” Mateo asks, mouth full of pizza that’s long cold now.

“I’m texting her.”

He grabs my phone before I can stop him. “You’re such a lightweight, you’re too buzzed to text her properly.”

I scoff. But I also can’t argue because my head is spinning. Mateo and I talk deep into the night and then he helps me into bed. It’s too big. All I want is that crappy hotel room with the tiny bed. All I want is Paige draped over me.

In the morning, Ihave no idea what to do about my job. I’m on contract, so it’ll be a little harder than just picking up and leaving. I hate that Mateo is right. There’s one thing I can do, though.

I text Paige, the name I gave her in my phone pulling at my heartstrings.

Future Wife

Tuesday 7:42 a.m.

hey, just checking in, how are you?

I send it without overthinking and then stare at my phone, watching the minutes go by as I wait for her response. The image of her texting me after the ultra and waiting just like this, anticipation roaring in her ears, turns my stomach sour.

She must have been glued to her phone if she felt half of what I’m feeling right now.

I don’t have to wait long before three dots appear and my heart leaps. The dots disappear and reappear over and over again. I smile. She’s overthinking her response.

I can see that you’re typing

(Middle finger emoji)

How did you get the passwordto my phone?

She must have seen the name change.

you should really be more careful. I don’t want other stalkers to be able to lean over your shoulder as you type your passcode

I watched you do it like a million times during the race

Asshole

rude

are you okay? How’s Leah?

Leah’s good. She’s home now and being an absolute pain in my ass

Home.

I’m glad she’s doing okay

She wants me to tell youthank you for your help

it was my pleasure

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