Page 110 of In the Long Run
‘I’m going to miss this,’ Knox says, his free hand sweeping out across the sand and waves, the path we’ve spent hours on.
‘I don’t think I know how to run by myself anymore,’ I whisper.‘How am I supposed to do Brigitte’s Run without you?’
‘You don’t need me.You’re so strong, and you’ve done all the work.You’ll be fine.’
I don’twantto be fine.I want to do this together and let it be a shared memory, something that tethers us together forever.I wanted so much more than this.
‘Do you still like me?’he asks quietly, and there’s so much vulnerability wrapped up in his question that it steals my breath.
‘Of course.’
I think I love you.
But Knox has always put himself last, and if this job is what he wants, then I’m not going to stop him.
‘Can I?’He gestures towards me, stepping closer.
‘Please.’I don’twanthim close, Ineedit.
Knox’s kiss is soft, nothing more than a gentle sweep of his mouth against mine.It’s so different to the long, exploratory kisses that have filled our afternoons and evenings when it’s just the two of us, tangled up in each other.And it’s only once we’re running again that I realise why it felt so different.Instead of leading to more kisses and more of everything that’s become so essential to me, it signalled the start of something else.
That this really is the beginning of our goodbye.
Disregarding my training plan so close to race day is a bad idea, but I can’t face the gym this morning.Instead, I slink past Eugene’s courtyard.Knox should’ve already left for the strength class he started going to a while back, but I’m not taking any chances.Saying goodbye tomorrow is going to be brutal.
I don’t track my kilometres or my pace, I just run.Along the Esplanade and into Pinnacle Park.I shift to the edge of thepavement when a shadow crosses in front of me, giving the other runner plenty of room to pass.
The shadow draws closer and closer.I keep my eyes forward, hoping it’s not someone from Croissants and Kilometres.I can’t people right now.
As the runner passes me, their hand darts out.Grabs my wrist, yanks me sideways, off the path.I stumble but keep my feet.Just.The hand doesn’t let go.It grips tighter andoh, God.
It’s Brand.
‘Stop it.I just want to talk to you,’ he hisses as I thrash, trying to shake him off, my hands clawing at where he’s holding my arm, but it doesn’t work.As I attempt to wrench away from him the sleeve of my top tears.He grabs my other arm and pulls me towards the bushes.
He’s so scarily strong.
‘Genny.Stop.I need to make you see sense.It’s been so hard to get you on your own.’
I blink furiously.Tears cling to my lashes.Open my mouth and—
‘No one will hear you.It’s just us.’Brand drags me further into the bushes.Their branches scratch at my face, my arms.The smell of damp earth surrounds us and dizziness overwhelms me.Little spots dance in front of my eyes.
Just breathe.
My movements slow and Brand smiles.
‘Good girl.’Brand moves one hand away from my arm, smoothing a sweaty palm across my forehead, tucking loose strands of hair behind my ears.Bile rises in my throat.
I’m going to be sick.
‘You almost ruined everything, Genny.I had a plan, you know.’
The man’s deranged.
‘But it’s okay because we’re going to do great things together.I’m the future of Bolton Realty, and you’re my future.’
Maybe if I play along, I can get away.
