Page 32 of Best Friends
He laughs. “What does she want?”
“I’ll check.” I open the message app to read her text.
Cheyenne: Where are you? The charity marathon starts in twenty minutes! Your car is out front so I know you’re home. Open the door, Carrick or we’re going to be late.
“Oh fuck,” I grate out, panic rolling through me. “It’s Cheyenne at the door.”
Malcolm widens his eyes. “Seriously?”
“Shit. I forgot. I… I agreed to run in a charity marathon for abused dogs. She asked me a month ago, and I completely spaced.” With trembling hands, I yank on my jeans and rush into the adjoining bathroom to brush my teeth and slap on deodorant. “God, she can’t find you here.”
He followed me into the bathroom, and in the mirror over the sink his face hardens. “Calm down. I took an Uber here, remember? My car isn’t out front so she doesn’t know I’m here.”
“Okay, yeah, that’s right.” I blow out a relieved breath.
“You know, I’ve spent the night before when I’ve had too much to drink.” His eyes are dark with annoyance. To make a point, he grabs the toothbrush he keeps here from the drawer.
“Yeah, I… I know. But this is different. After what we just did with each other all night and this morning—” I swallow roughly. “She’s going to see right through us if she sees us together, Malc. I… I just know she’ll take one look at us and she’ll know we’re sleeping together.”
“Would that really be so bad?”
I bug my eyes. “Yes. You know I’m not ready for that.”
“Well, what do you want me to do?” He throws up his hands. “Should I sneak out the back?”
“No, I’ll just go meet her out front.” As I speak, I shoot a quick text to Cheyenne, telling her I’ll be out in a minute. Then I glance up and meet his disappointed gaze. “I’m sorry. I’d rather spend the day with you.”
“Yeah right,” he says, starting to brush his teeth.
I frown. “I’m serious.”
He spits toothpaste in the sink, then rinses his mouth. Once he’s wiped his face dry, he grates, “Then just tell her you’re not feeling well and blow off the marathon.” He leaves the bathroom and sits on the edge of the bed, scowling.
“I can’t. It’s too late, and besides, that wouldn’t be nice,” I mumble as I go to dig my running shoes out of the closet. I sift through the pile until I finally find the pair I need.
He laughs. “It’s notnice?But kicking me out of your house is?”
“I’m not kicking you out.” I sit on the bed next to him, and put on my shoes. “Please try and understand, Malc. I…I can’t just blow her off. She’s my friend and I made a commitment. She’s my partner too. I don’t want her mad at me. Riding around all day with a partner who’s pissed off isn’t fun.”
“Neither is spending my day off alone,” he grumbles. “If you’d told me about this marathon I’d have joined you guys.”
“How could I tell you about it when I forgot?” Guilt nudges me, and I put my hand on his arm. “I’ll make it up to you. How about when I get back we watch a movie and order a pizza?”
His gaze softens slightly. “Yeah?”
“Absolutely. I really want to see you later. I’m disappointed too that our day was interrupted. I still can’t believe I forgot about the marathon.”
He sighs. “Okay, I guess that would work. I’ve really missed just hanging out with you.”
“I miss that too. I’m really sorry I ruined our day,” I say softly, leaning in to kiss him.
He responds to my kiss, but when the doorbell starts ringing again, I pull away and get off the bed. “Shit. I’ve gotta go.” I head to the bedroom door. “Look, stay as long as you like. Make yourself at home until I get back.”
“I’m not going to hang around in your house all day without you here.” He stands, his expression resigned. “I’ll probably shower, but then take off. I’ll just come by later and we can do the movie and pizza thing.”
I’m relieved he seems less resentful. “I’m really, really sorry, Malc.”
He shrugs. “This kind of shit is going to happen if we’re hiding. If people knew about us, I could have run with you guys. Instead I have to stay behind like some loser.”
