Page 10 of Go Deep

Sweat drizzles into my eyes. I squeeze them shut to alleviate the burning, but not before I see Zack take a large swig of water from his bottle.

Damn him. The man is Satan.

Water…oh God…I need water. Every time my feet land on the hard ground, my legs quake. Ten more…five more…

I drop into my final burpee and collapse face-first intothe grass. Screw it. An hour of torture is enough for one day. He’ll get me back tomorrow, no doubt.

Zack snickers. “Pussy.”

“Doesn’t your ridiculous fee include some form of hydration? Or are we still in the torture chamber?”

If Lucifer were a gym rat, he’d be Zack. Pure fucking evil.

“Right here.” Zack patted his pocket. “But you know what you have to do first.”

Christ, do I ever. Thank God there’s a little bit of a breeze. Okay, maybe that’s overstating. It barely moves the leaves on the trees lining the running path, but at least the air isn’t completely still. I may finish this round after all. And dammit, I want that water before I keel over and meet my maker.

In true Flash-form, Zack peels past me in a blur. I start with a brisk jog, and the sensation sets in after a few short steps. A slow burn. That’s the best way to describe it. Starts in the balls of my feet and then creeps into my calves, singeing a path to my knees until my legs erupt into flames spreading with the voracity of a California forest fire.

I know when I’m done.

Unfortunately, I didn’t realize it when it mattered most years ago. I spent way too much time ignoring the pain that would ultimately shatter my career and my life like a pane of glass.

I was young, stupid, and cocky, thinking I was invincible. Injuries were just part of the game, right?

I always pushed too hard. Still do.

I never learn. I’m always on a quest for control…for freedom.

And as it happens, ironically, I have neither.

A couple of more deep breaths and my feet pound the pavement, far enough behind Zack not to hear him taunting me.

Little prick. He can outrun me, but I can pummel him in a blink.

Maybe it’ll take a little bit more than a blink. I’m kind of delirious right now and can’t think straight. Sue me.

My laces flap against the ground, calves scorching as if they’re being engulfed by flames, but I refuse to stop. A few more feet, and hydration will become my salvation.

Zack dangles a Gatorade in front of me, a toothy grin on his smug ass face. “Only a little farther, Vinnie. You can do it.”

I grab the bottle and collapse onto the grassy knoll. The cool liquid hits my dry lips, and I almost tear up, it’s so good. Electrolytes, please revitalize me now.

The blue one is my favorite flavor, and I can feel the energy course through my veins. Every day around this time, I wonder why I put up with Zack’s bullshit.

Then I remember.

Stronger, faster, better,stronger.

I’m always trying to prove something to someone.

Including myself.

My phone vibrates against my arm. It’s early for a work call. Who could be trying to get to me at this ungodly hour?

I rip off the band and see my answer on the screen staring back at me. I stab the Accept button.

“Hey, Dad, what’s?—?”

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