Page 1 of My Secret Santa Clayton

ONE

Clay

“Someone's following me.” She was out of breath, gasping, terrified. Her fingers dug into my arm, her eyes wild and darting. “Please, help me, please…”

I’d been pounding the trail with Bear, my breath and his misting in the chill. It was just another run, except the air had teeth today, biting into my lungs.

Then, she burst onto the path—a woman sprinting full tilt.

“Watch out!” I shouted as she hit a slick patch. She slid, arms flailing, and it was pure reflex that had me reaching out to catch her. My hands gripped her arms.

And I realized I knew this girl.

Holy shit.

“Grace?”

“Clay?” Her voice was a rough whisper, eyes wide with shock—or fear?

“Damn,” I muttered under my breath. Of all the people to run into, literally, it had to be her.

The girl who broke my heart.

“Grace, what the hell are you doing here?” I demanded, but she wasn't paying attention to my questions. Her gaze waslocked over my shoulder, scanning the forest like a cornered animal.

“Please,” she pleaded again. “They're after me.”

“Who's after you?”

She didn't answer—just clung to me tighter.

“Okay, okay,” I said. “Stay behind me.”

I moved Grace behind me, stepping forward to face whatever—or whoever—might come barreling down the path next. My hand instinctively went to my side, searching for a weapon I hadn't brought along. Damn, just a morning jog with Bear, no need for anything more than my phone and house keys.

The woods had gone silent around us, too silent. Even the winter wind seemed to hold its breath. I scanned the fog, every shadow and shape, for signs of movement.

“Clay,” Grace whispered, her fingers digging into my jacket.

“Shh,” I hushed her, straining my ears. There was a noise alright, something moving through the underbrush. Twigs snapped. Leaves crunched. Heart pounding, I braced myself for the attack.

“Come out!” I snarled.

Then my Rhodesian Ridgeback, Bear, popped out of the tree line, wagging his tail.

I blew out a breath of relief, shaking my head and laughing softly. “Jesus…scared the hell out of us,” I said, bending to scratch him behind the ears. “Good boy.”

“It was…okay, fuck, it was your dog,” Grace muttered, a flush creeping up her neck. Her eyes darted from Bear to me; they were wide and scared but also pissed off. “I thought—I don't know what I thought.”

“Hey,” I started, then stopped.

What do you say to a ghost from your past?

My fingers twitched at my side, almost reaching for her, but I shoved them into my pockets instead. We locked eyes, and I swear, time just stopped.

“You been okay?” I managed to ask.

Wow, Clay. Smooth.

---