Page 19 of Best Friends

Chapter Five

Monday evening…

Jesse headed into the gym again, ready to let out some frustration. He hadn’t spoken to Hayden since Saturday morning. Even when they were playing phone tag, they were checking in every day or so. With the drunk driving Friday night, Jesse was worried about his friend. The silence now felt heavier.

He’d seen Benji’s truck in the parking lot on his way in, which he was thankful for. Maybe Benji had heard something about Hayden. But as soon as he rounded into the weight room, he saw Benji and Mac working out together. Mac was acting as trainer and spotter—something Jesse had always done.

Jesse hadn’t spent much time getting to know Mac the other night, but the guy seemed alright. “Hey guys.”

Benji’s head turned, and an odd look crossed his face. “Hey.”

“Hello,” Mac added.

Jesse got the solid sensation that he wasn’t wanted around. He tilted his head. “I think I’m going for a run today.”

“Oh… okay,” Benji said, frowning. “Have fun.”

Jesse gave them a wave and headed for the treadmills. The giggling girls from the other day were nearby, once again on the ellipticals. He ignored them and their giggles when he climbed on. Off in the distance, he could still see Mac and Benji working together. Why he’d felt so out of place, he didn’t know, but he didn’t care for it.

Adam and Clay were falling apart.

Hayden was dealing with something.

Now Benji had a new friend he apparently wanted to spend time with instead of them.

Jesse felt alone for the first time since those first days in college.

And he didn’t like it.

Jesse put his earbuds in and tried to block everything out.

He pushed his body, focusing on the feeling of his feet hitting the treadmill. Jesse needed to let go what he was feeling. He couldn’t hold it all inside, like he usually did. Things were getting close to bursting. He could feel it.

Sweat coated him. Each punch of his foot to the treadmill made him feel just a little bit better…

Until Hayden showed up.

Without a word, Hayden took a treadmill a few down from his and began running. Jesse frowned down the row, trying to understand why Hayden had left so much space between them.

I don’t have time for this shit tonight.

He just kept running. Soon, Hayden’s pace was identical to Jesse’s. While he knew it was juvenile, Jesse felt the need to go faster. Pushing himself even more, he increased his pace. Hayden picked up his pace, too, soon matching Jesse’s. Jesse sped up… Hayden again matched him.

Jesse was running too hard but couldn’t stop himself. Hayden was bigger, stronger… and easily matched the tempo.

Finally, he jumped off the treadmill and headed for the showers. He wasn’t in the mood for whatever games Hayden had in mind.

He entered the locker room and stopped before the one he rented. Peeling his sweaty tee off, he then kicked off his running shoes.

“Gave up, hmm?”

Jesse turned to look at Hayden. “I’m tired.”

“You like to push us… but we can’t push back?”

“What is this?”

Hayden shook his head. “I don’t know.”

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