Page 96 of Walk With Me
Bending down, I survey her legs. “You’ve got a bloody knee.”
“It’s just a scrape. God, I can’t believe it,” she sniffs.
Standing back up, I take her head in my hands. “Hey. It’s okay.”
She shakes her head. “I can’t run the 5k, babe.”
Nibbling my lip, I weigh up our options. Obviously, the simple solution would be to end the day here and gether some medical attention. However, she’s worked so hard to get here, and I know it means so much to her, I can’t in good conscience suggest it. So, I take a step back and link the fingers of one hand with hers. Eden looks at me and wipes her face free of tears.
Wiggling our joined hand, I smile at her. “Walk with me.”
She furrows her eyebrows. “Sloane—”
“Eden, just walk with me. Like we did on our first day as gym buddies. Let’s finish this together.”
Another sniff and a quick scratch of her neck is all she needs before I get a lopsided grin and a small nod. Her first few steps are tentative, but after ten meters or so she’s able to put her full weight down on her foot.
It doesn’t matter how fast we go. Eden doing the 5k was never about breaking records. I know she would like to finish this by jogging across the line, but as far as I can see she’s more than lived up to her end of the bargain. Everyone, including Mr. Porter, is already blown away with the effort and commitment she’s shown these past few months. They will still feel that way even if she walks across the finish line.
We remain silent for the first five minutes. I’m just happy to be here, holding her hand. In fact, while no one is around, we might as well take advantage of it.
“Eden?”
Looking my way, she smiles. “You okay, babe?”
I shrug. “Do you maybe wanna…I don’t know, make out a little bit?”
She pulls me to a stop. The only people close by are a couple of spectators and even they are walking away, more than likely wanting to see what’s happening at the finish line.
“Sloane.”
“Eden.”
She snorts a laugh and pulls me into a fierce kiss. We hold each other as the kiss goes on. I’m not ashamed to say I get my tongue involved, and would quite happily abandon the 5k in favor of finding a bush or something to get naughty in.
When we’re totally breathless, she pulls back. “Thank you.”
“For kissing you?”
“No, you numpty. For coming back, and walking with me.”
I snake my hands down her back and cup her butt. “I like walking with you. It’s our thing.”
A whistle rips through the air. “Hey, stop smooching and get walking!” Pia yells at the top of her lungs. Todd, Bella, Becca, and Bryce are standing with her.
Chuckling, we break apart and start the slow journey towards them. Eden is limping hard, but her face is pure determination.
Pia closes the gap and throws her arms around Eden. “You alright?”
“I’m good. Just a little banged up.”
Taking a step back, Pia plants her feet and turns my way with a…scowl? What the hell?
“This was your buddy Kiera! Did you know that?” she barks at me.
“Pia, chill out,” Eden says, but it’s no use. Her best friend is pissed.
“I will not chill out. She could’ve mangled your leg.”
