Page 112 of Free to Run
I pick up my pace and my heart monitor starts beeping. Jared yells, “Slow the hell down, Alison!”
“Talk about sounding like Keene,” Cassidy murmurs.
“He’s been in my office enough the last two months. I may have picked up a few traits,” Jared says.
“And there goes the firm,” Ryan drawls.
Everyone starts laughing again, except me. I hear the clatter of the phone as it’s taken off the speaker. “He loves you, Ali. Still. Always. Time, distance, it doesn’t change that kind of love.” Caleb’s voice is soothing.
How will he react to me keeping his child from him? My heart monitor starts going off again.
“What’s that noise?” Caleb asks.
“Nothing.” I press Mute on my wrist.
“Jared! What’s the beeping on Ali’s side?” Caleb yells to his brother-in-law.
“It’s her heart monitor. If she’s setting it off, tell her to slow the hell down or stop stressing out. We need her back in one piece.” Jared’s voice can be heard in the distance.
Caleb’s voice is amused as he says, “You heard your boss.”
“Caleb, about that…” I hesitate. It’s been months. What if they don’t need me? “I have an idea for Cassidy’s leave.”
“Good. Get home and tell us.” Caleb hangs up the phone.
I switch to walking. A princess and her prince run by, giggling as they chase each other through the forest. It’s so cute, I almost want to throw up. Then again, maybe my little avocado is trying to tell me he or she is hungry.
“Sorry, angel. I’ve been talking to your crazy aunts and uncles. And they’ve made Mama so incredibly happy.” Unbuttoning my vest pocket, I undo the Ziploc filled with jelly beans. Grabbing a small handful, I munch on them. Slugging back some water, I can see the twelve-mile marker a few hundred yards ahead.
Just another mile plus to go, then I can go home.
“Let’s go, angel.” I rub my hand over my stomach before slowly starting to run again.
* * *
Nine minutes later,the noise around me is intense. I just passed mile marker thirteen. I have one-tenth of a mile to finish. Hootie is blowing out of the speakers, telling me I’m going to rise above when my phone rings.
Blocked number.
I almost don’t answer. The screaming cacophony of the after-party is underway, and you can barely hear above the celebration. I hit Answer anyway. Today’s the day for good surprises.
“Alison Freeman,” I pant. Just a few more steps, Ali. Then you’re done.
“That’s some costume you have on, baby. Personally, if it were up to me, I’d give you best dressed. But I think it’s going to go to those assclowns who wore a zebra suit,” Keene yells through the line.
“Keene?” My head swivels, looking through the swarms of spectators on the left and the right, trying to find him.
“Don’t worry about trying to find me, love. Just keep running. For once, you’re running in the right direction. Toward me.” Keene’s voice is all I can hear. The surrounding noise is washed away.
I cross under the finish line and start walking past the race monitors. “Where are you?”
“You’ll see me soon enough. I’ve got my eye on you.” He pauses. “It’s like every fantasy I’ve ever had. Naughty schoolgirl meets Sherlock Holmes with those damn socks.”
I start to cry as I search for him. “Keene, I need to get my medal. Where can I meet you?”
Suddenly, I’m jostled to the right, in front of one of the medal presenters. They hand me my medal, which is a child’s drawing of a pumpkin. I look down at it and grin. It’s fantastic.
Then I feel my earbud being removed from my ear. “Aren’t the medals great?” Keene murmurs. My whole body trembles and I swallow convulsively. “I don’t think they’re quite as nice as the one you deserve.”
