Page 8 of Walk With Me
“I like it.”
Okay then.
We’ve come full circle, just in time for class to end and therefore the day. I thought I’d be in a rush to leave, but it’s been nice hanging out with Sloane. I had a feeling she’d be sweet, and I think I was right. It’s refreshing to have a cheer captain who isn’t the mean girl. That honour gets left to the captain of the soccer team.
We stop at the gym doors. “Well, thanks for the walk.”
She bites her lip, which I’m coming to see is Sloane’s version of my neck scratch. “I have a proposal.”
“I’m not going to like this, am I?”
It’s her turn to roll her eyes. “It’s a win-win.”
I gesture for her to continue with a roll of my wrist and hand. I’m definitely not going to like this.
“Porter wants you to pass gym. I want you to pass gym. But not barely, I want you to enjoy it. Erase the bad memories and end high school…well, on a high.”
“But—”
“There’s this thing called Couch to 5k.”
“Yeah, I know it.”
“I want us to do that.”
Cocking my head to one side, I try to figure out which part of this Sloane thinks I’m going to agree to. So far, none of it is remotely appealing. If I can walk around the school every gym class and pass, that’s what I’m going to do.
“I can see you’re not sold.” Understatement. “But just process it before you say no.”
“But, why?” I laugh. “You heard my story, right?”
She’s bobbing her head, but her eyes are way too excited. “Yeah, which is why I think you should do this with me as a fuck you to the douche canoe of a coach you had when you were little.”
Rubbing my temples, I sigh. “But I don’t give a shit about him anymore.”
Sloane’s arm shoots out and grabs my bicep. Or what constitutes a bicep on my body. “You do, otherwise Porter getting you to do more than stroll on a treadmill wouldn’t trigger you so bad.”
“That’s frustration, Sloane. He’s picking me out of the crowd. Pia and Todd barely do more than me, but Porter’s only on my ass about it.”
“Eden, they at least change into sports gear.”
I’m getting frustrated. “Fuck, why is everyone up my arse about this?”
“Because we care,” Sloane shoots back.
“You don’t know me.” I laugh.
“I’m getting to know you,” she replies.
What in the fuck is going on? “Sloane…”
“Please, Eden. Just give it a shot. No more Porter up your arse, as you put it. We get to hang out and have some fun, and you pass gym class. I promise you, I’ll make it worth your while.”
Her eyes are the size of saucers. She’s doing the human equivalent of the Puss in Boots face. Totally not fair.
“Fine, but I have a condition of my own.”
“Shoot.”
