Her nostrils flared. “Things are so messed up right now.”
“Basic training?” Tears stung, so I turned away. I couldn’t stand the pain I saw in her eyes. I was the cause of it. The cause of her not starting basic when she’d planned to. I hit her, and when I did, both of our lives were changed forever.
Well, her hand would eventually get better, my head not so much. A ping of anger clawed through my chest, and I coughed it away.
No. I would not be dictated by that anger. Not again.
“I’m really sorry, Grace.”
“Thank you.” She sniffled and nodded. “You know, you owe an apology to a few more people. I’m not the only one you hurt.”
“You’re right, I did act like an asshole to everyone.”
“Yeah, people were shocked.” She glanced at me. “I only knew you as a jerk, so I bet it was harder for them to see you go from sweet,Perfect Preachto asshole extraordinaire overnight.”
“Please, tell me how you really feel.” I grabbed my chest, mocking being stabbed, even though she was right on with what she’d said.
“Just sayin’.” She started walking up the track.
I caught up to her. “I liked the kiss, you know.”
She didn’t look at me.
“A lot.”
“Then you haven’t kissed many girls.”
I nudged her with my shoulder. “Could you tell?”
“Fishing for compliments?” A slight smile curved the corner of her mouth.
“No. Don’t be sorry it happened. I liked it. I—we—”
“Maybe you better stick to running instead of talking.”
Man, this girl was tough. But what did I expect? An overnight change in her attitude toward me? Hell, I wasn’t even sure what was going on. It hadn’t even been two weeks since the accident.
“It won’t happen again.” She jogged away and stopped at her triangle.
I’d felt something, though, in that kiss. And I think she had too. But, she still hated me. Or maybe it’d been downgraded to just disliking me. But for sure, there was anger there, too.
“Let’s try a few more hand-offs, then I need to get home.”
Okay then. I wasn’t sure what to do other than set up to run at her again. I’d be here for her to train. That was enough—for now.
“Hello?” Grace yelled from her spot.
I held up the baton. “Ready!”
We spent the next thirty minutes zeroing in on her footwork and timing. She nailed three more grabs before she decided it was time for her to bolt.
“I’ll run you home,” I said.
“No. I’m good.” She snatched up her running jacket from the ground. “Thanks, though.”
“I don’t mind, really. It’s sort of on the way.”
“Look, Preach. I’m good. I’m going to be doing some tempos and hill repeats, and I’d rather do them on my own.”