Page 27 of See You at the Finish Line

“Okay then,” I sputter, unable to form a coherent sentence.

Damn, my future husband has moves. I probably shouldn’t even be thinking along those lines. Knowing me, it’ll spill right out of my mouth.

We run through the night, both of us jumping at any sound the desert makes, then dissolving into laughter. My heart races every time I catch him looking at me and smiling, which happens just as many times as he catches me looking at him.

It’s a good thing it’s pitch-black out here because if it was daylight, I’d be missing the stunning scenery, too busy thinking about the ceiling in his hotel room. If I’m being honest with myself, a rock digging into my back wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. Besides, he could always be the one with rocks digging intohisback.

I shake my head, trying to clear the images. For the millionth time, I remind myself I’ve only known this man for a couple of days and he could very well be a serial killer in disguise. Not that I’ve met any serial killers in my life, but he doesn’t seem like a serial killer. That would be a plot twist.

We make it through the night without further incident, and thankfully no more wildlife encounters. Between the mountain lion and the rockslide after the storm, what else could go wrong?

Night barely gives way to the light of the rising sun, reluctant to surrender its reign. The black sky is now a deep navy blue. We still need our headlamps. When we catch sight of the Indian Creek aid station, there seems to be a lot of commotion. Adam and I trade curious glances and pick up the pace, feeling tension permeate the air.

Did someone get hurt?

Though I don’t have anyone else doing the race with me, Adam has his two friends. From what he’s told me, I already care about them, though Caleb seems like a douchebag.

Adam runs faster and I let him go ahead, dread pooling in my stomach. Instinctively, I slow down, not wanting to face whatever’s happening. The feeling of dread from the mountain lion returns in full force as panic weighs down my chest.

Flashing lights sear my vision, and all I can see is my dad’s motorcycle swerving to avoid an animal before careening off the road. The single headlight flashes in my eyes as we approach from the opposite direction.

Mom was driving Leah and me home from science camp. I wanted to do a sports camp, but because Leah is older, my mom put us in the camp she wanted to do. I was in the back seat, still sulking about it even though I’d had so much more fun than I thought I would. Even at that age, I was too stubborn to admit it. Leah was talking animatedly in the front seat, and Mom was trying to listen while also paying attention to the road.

It happened so fast.

One minute the approaching light was coming at us and the next, it was swerving into the ditch, the rider being tossed through the air and slamming down on the concrete.

“Stay in the car,” Mom told us, her voice unlike I had ever heard before. Even Leah didn’t protest.

Mom got out and ran to the body, her scream shattering the silence of the night. I still hear it in my nightmares. It was so dark and I couldn’t see anything. I could only hear the sound of my mom’s heart breaking.

Lights were flashing, red and blue ones. At first, I was confused because the motorcycle only had one headlight. But then Leah was there, putting her arm around me and taking me out of the car. The rider on the side of the road was wearing the same jacket Dad always wore.

The lights at the aid station flare, headlamps moving around as people scurry back and forth. I don’t realize I’ve started walking until I stumble, a rock in my path jarring me back to the present. I walk into the aid station to stand beside Adam, resisting the urge to leaninto him for comfort. His face is set in confusion, but I don’t hear what the check-in volunteer is saying.

Everything is muffled and in slow motion around me. A flash of light in a dark night. My father’s dead body on the side of the road. My mom’s scream.

“Paige?” Adam’s voice cuts through the fog in my head.

“Yeah?”

“You have to check in.” His face is serious and concerned.

“Right, Paige, 145, checking in.”

“Thank you, Paige. The race director will want to speak with you as well if both of you will follow Lucy.” The volunteer points to where Lucy stands, her face cast downwards.

Adam and I walk to Lucy, and I wonder if his stomach is sinking like mine is. Almost like getting sent to the principal’s office when you don’t know what you did wrong.

“Paige?” Leah’s voice cuts through the darkness, and she stops dead in her tracks when she sees my face. “What’s wrong?” she asks. I can only shake my head. I can see she wants to come with me, but even I don’t know what’s going on.

“Follow me,” Lucy says when she notices I’ve slowed.

“What’s this about?” Adam asks.

But Lucy shakes her head. “I’m sorry.” She opens up one of the aid tents and the race director is there, standing with two officials.

And Caleb.

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