Page 13 of Catching the Captain

“How was your day?” I ask.

“It was good, thanks. I had a pile of laundry to catch up on and housework to take care of. I got all that done, and I even did some meal prepping for the week.”

“Sounds like you were busy. Did you take time to eat?”

She lets out a quick laugh. “I always find time for that, which is one of the reasons I’m a runner.”

My eyes briefly swing to her before returning to the road. “Did you run track in school?”

“In high school I did, but not in college. I love to run, but competing took the fun out of it for me.”

“I can understand that. I run a few times a week myself; it’s a great way to release stress.”

“Exactly. I like the repetitive nature of it and how it allows me to clear my head. I don’t get hung up on how fast or slow my time is. I run for my physical and mental health. It’s something that helps me keep a positive perspective with everyday situations.”

“It’s important to have something that lets off steam and gives you time to think. I feel that way about running and any time I’m in the gym alone. Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen at all during the hockey season. It’s damn near impossible to hit the Coyote’s gym without most of my team being there.”

“That sounds like fun. I bet it’s loud and sweaty.” She snickers.

“And smelly,” I add.

She laughs. “Sounds like most gyms, then. I don’t like working out around others. It’s too distracting. I can’t lose myself like I need to.”

I stop the truck at a red light. “Are you an introvert, Rori Russo?”

“Does that surprise you? Don’t you remember me with my head buried in a book when I was a kid?”

“Now that you mention it, I do. I remember you building things with Lego too, or am I wrong about that?”

“No, you’re right, I did. And, actually, I still do. I have a shelf in my room I keep my favorites on.”

“Do you still read as much?”

“I wish. Don’t get me wrong, living in the digital age makes it a lot easier to read whenever I can squeeze it in. I have the kindle app on my phone, so my entire library is available with a few swipes on the screen. But I don’t get the opportunity to sit and read uninterrupted for hours like I did as a kid.”

The light turns and I start driving once more. We fall into a comfortable silence until I pull into Donnelly’s, an Irish pub that’s become a favorite of mine.

“We’re not going in. I’m grabbing a takeout order I put in earlier,” I inform Rori. Picking up my phone, I text to let them know I’m here.

“Hmm, now I’m wondering where you’re taking me. Are you going to murder me in retribution for my sister being a jerk to you?”

I laugh. “Hardly. You’re not responsible for her actions. Besides, that’s ancient history at this point.”

One of the owner’s teenage grandchildren carries out a large white bag with handles. Opening the window, I take it from him. “Thanks, Joey.” I hand him a twenty and he grins.

“Thanks, Kaiden. Enjoy your dinner.” I see his eyes seeking out Rori and I cock an eyebrow at him. He shrugs as if to say “can you blame me for looking” before walking away.

Reaching back, I set the bag on the floor behind Rori’s seat.

“Whatever that is, it smells amazing,” she says.

“Have you ever eaten here?” I ask.

“I haven’t.”

“You’re in for a treat, then. I get takeout here whenever I can.”

“You don’t like to dine in?” she asks.

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