Page 51 of In the Long Run
‘Got any upcoming trips?’Tony asks.I bet he’s thinking Gen could do so much better than me, Mr Monosyllabic.
And because I want to do better for her, I throw caution to the wind and say the next bit, despite the fact that it breaks my golden rule about being careful with my words, with what I share with other people.‘I might pick up another overseas job at the end of this posting cycle.It’s a sought-after posting.’
Gen’s brow furrows, so I rush to add, ‘But that’s not for another year and a bit.I’d have to pass PAC and get promoted first.’
‘I don’t think I could’ve ever done it, been in the Army,’ Tony says.‘Too much change all the time for me.’
‘There is a different kind of constancy to Army life,’ I say, trying to find a way to describe it properly and failing, because no one describes military life as stable.
The Hallidays all have the same quizzical expression on their faces: mouths pinched, eyes dark and confused.
I clear my throat.‘There’s a lot of change, but I like the routine.Postings change, but the rules don’t.It’s why I like running, too.’
Eva brightens immediately.‘Oh yes, I want to hear all about your run club fun!If we didn’t have a standing Sunday morning brunch, we’d join!’
Next to me, Gen chokes on a mouthful of wine.Instinctively, I reach for her, my palm settling against the back of her neck.‘You okay?’I murmur.
She coughs into her serviette before dabbing at her eyes.When she looks up, some of her mascara has smeared across the top of her cheekbones.
‘Oh, sweetie.’Eva gestures to her face.‘You’ve got a little something.Waterproof mascara is every woman’s best friend.’
Gen’s cheeks colour and she frowns down at her plate.She uses the corner of her serviette to try and clean herself up, but she misses it entirely.
‘Here,’ I say.‘Hold still.’I sweep my thumb across the crest of her cheekbone, collecting the black smear.Her pupils dilate and I silently curse her parents’ presence.I’m desperate to lean forward, to finally kiss her.I’d make a mess of the glossy stuff that covers her lips, then reassure her that she’s gorgeous.Like this and in all other ways.Tell her that her beauty and kindness always shine through.That I don’t want to worry about the future all the time.That when I’m with her, I just want to be present.
‘I’m so glad you’ve started running in a group, Gen,’ Eva continues.‘You know I worry about your safety.’
Gen sighs and the moment between us evaporates.‘It’s perfectly safe.’
‘That’s not what the news is saying.’
‘Well, I promiseI’mbeing safe.I don’t run with headphones.I carry my phone and personal alarm.’
‘A woman was attacked at Pinnacle Park yesterday.Up the far, far end.’
I need to start paying more attention to the news.It’s beenyears since my name was splashed across it, and avoiding it is just silly.So far no one’s connected my old surname with my new one, and there’s no reason to believe anyone will.
‘I don’t run down there—’
‘But it’s not far from here.’
‘—on my own.The only time I go into Pinnacle Park is with Croissants and Kilometres.’
‘Do you run in the mornings, Knox?’Tony asks, and Gen shoots her father a glare.
‘Sometimes,’ I reply.‘Mornings are busy at the moment.My godfather had an accident a while ago that’s affected his mobility.’
‘I don’t need a bodyguard,’ Gen huffs before adding, ‘No offence.I like running on my own.It’s my time alone with my thoughts.’
‘None taken.’That’s why I love running solo too.
‘Look who we have here,’ says a voice behind us and I stiffen.Brand drops into the spare seat next to Gen.He reaches across the table to shake Tony’s hand.I already liked Tony, but the dead fish handshake he offers Brand confirms it.‘I couldn’t leave without saying hello to my favourite people!’
The heavy fog we’re expecting in the morning arrives early, descending on the table like a blanket.Even the tealight in the clamshell-shaped holder extinguishes under the weight of the awkwardness Brand’s presence has unleashed.
Gen’s hand lands on my thigh and the heat of her body presses through my jeans.She twists towards me and I link our hands together, setting them on the table.
‘Yes, yes.We all get it,’ Brand jokes, but no one laughs.‘Biggest mistake of my life was letting this one go.And now it seems I’m too late.’
