Page 55 of Free to Run
“Jesus Christ, Cass. What the hell was that for?” I yell.
“For being such a horse’s ass. Who the hell was it that looked for me for close to twenty years?” Before I can open my mouth, she answers her own question. “You. Who walked into gunfire and took a bullet for his best friend? You. Who got my name tattooed on his leg? You. So now you’re trying to tell me that part of your problem with Ali is that you don’t want to be our father? Keene, honey, you never could be our father.” She shakes her head. “That’s ridiculous for you to think that’s possible. From what I understand, he only looked out for himself. You look out for everyone but you. So cut the crap, admit you have feelings for my sister, and stop jerking her around or you will lose her. Of that I’m sure.” Cassidy takes a deep breath. “I should know. I’m flailing alongside you with no oars, trying to get back to shore to fight for her.”
Caleb brushes his lips across Cassidy’s temple. “You’ll find a way to get through to her, my love. I know you will.”
I watch them stand together and grapple with the emotions battering me from every side. Pleasure and pain equally battle for space before they splinter in two, leaving me with something completely unforeseen. Envy. It pours through me. I can’t escape it.
It took my sister and my best friend to show me I carelessly threw that chance away for no good reason. I need to get away to think.
Clearing my throat, I ask, “Is there a place around here I can work out? I need to do something. Clear my head.” Normally, I’d hit the gym at Hudson, but since Caleb and I won’t be back there for the foreseeable future, I’d better get the lay of the land in Collyer.
“There’s the workout room at the farm,” Caleb comments. “It’s not bad for weights and universal. I hate running in that room though. I feel like I’m going to fall through the damned floor. That treadmill was obviously not purchased for someone our size,” he says wryly.
Knowing the powerhouse equipment we have back at Hudson, I mentally groan. That means I’ll be running in this blasted humidity.
I wonder if I should shower off Corinna’s “gift” before I work out?
“I’m going for a run.” No need for them to worry when they don’t find me back at their house for a few hours. I need to find some place I can think without prying eyes.
“You should drop by Tabor’s Sporting Goods in town,” Caleb says. “They know the best trails around Collyer. Some might give you more of a challenge than others.”
I nod. Good idea. I don’t need to be lost in the wilderness when I can use a trusted trail the locals know about.
“Leave your GPS on,” Caleb warns, reminding me of the inherent danger we brought to Collyer.
“Copy that.” Squeezing my sister’s arm and tossing a two-finger salute to Caleb, I jog to my car and roar out of the parking lot.
Soon enough, I’m out of Tabor’s with a decent trail that will keep me busy for the next hour, with a promise of a vista overlooking the town that should be perfect to clear my crowded head. After changing into running gear, I leave my car at Cassidy and Caleb’s and take off.
Finding a comfortable pace, I think about everything Caleb told me about Melody. Fury drives my legs faster. Everything in my place destroyed. I make a mental note to get my super a bonus and to have my place gutted. I also note I should beef up security around my storage unit here in Connecticut.
Not surprisingly, my thoughts move to Alison and everything Cassidy said before.
Do I have that in me? That same ability to fight past the legacy of our father when I see his face in the mirror every single day? Is it possible for one woman to go to war against my demons, give me hope, and bring out the feelings I’ve suppressed for so long?
Turning toward the tree line, I pull out the directions Tabor’s gave me. I begin the incline to the summit after giving Caleb a ping to let him know I’m safe.
24
Alison
There’s something magical about the time right before dusk. The honeysuckle bushes I brush up against have had all day to warm in the sun, and the scent they release almost drowns me. Deer come out to graze in the open fields, easily leaping over the white post and rail fences lining the horse farms around the edges of Collyer. I hear laughter, smell barbecues and charred meat, and one thought passes through my mind. I hate how at odds I am with my family.
I’ve just reached the stone steps and head for the summit. This run was needed, and seeing Collyer from this view gives me time to just breathe.
I climb up to the ledge, just like I did a few days ago. It seems so far away. How did my life and my heart become such a mess in such a short amount of time?
I curl my knees to my chest and sit in the shadows of the darkening sun, trying to figure out when we all stopped trying when I hear the snap of a branch. My head whips up to search my surrounds, looking for an animal. It’s not unheard of to see a fox in these hills.
But then I hear his voice, and anger takes over my sadness.
Is no place sacred anymore?
“I swear, Caleb, you have to see this vista to believe it. I can’t believe you haven’t run this. The sunset from up here is amazing. No, I’m just going to sit down for a while and think about everything that’s happening.” Keene’s voice goes quiet as he listens to my brother-in-law. “No, I wasn’t followed. I can’t imagine how I would have been followed unless she went into the store to get the trail map, but my GPS is on just in case.” He pauses. “Right. Later.”
Long minutes pass where I stay in the shadows, and Keene stares out over Collyer, looking like a king staring down over his fiefdom. As I watch from my perch above him, emotions play over his face. It’s like watching a film noir. He’s the weary warrior, racked with guilt and overthinking.
Keene moves near the edge. “Jesus, this is breathtaking.” His whisper carries over the distance between us. “Alison would love this.” I watch him raise his camera and snap a picture before ducking his dark head.
