Page 51 of Run To You
Liz reaches us first, drawing Jenna in for a hug before summoning the rest of us. She’s like a punky mother hen with all her chicks. She must have been at home relaxing if her attire is anything to go by. Both of them are in ripped jeans and band tees. They look so different from their everyday corporate selves, it still makes me laugh in wonder.
“What did we miss?” Rick asks.
“They have Pia in a room. Todd and Eden are with her,” I say.
Rick snorts. “Poor Eden.”
“Has anyone called her parents?” Liz asks. There is a notable silence because none of us want to tell her that Pia’s parents are selfish assholes.
In the end, we don’t have to. Liz shakes her head and looks at Rick. “Honey, will you go home and get the spare room set up? Pia is coming home with us. I’m not letting them out of my sight, not until she’s recovered and the baby is settled. Jesus, how could they not even call, let alone jump on a plane to see their daughter and granddaughter? It’s inexcusable.”
Leaning in, Rick kisses his wife, shoots the rest of us finger guns and leaves. I knew they’d be the people Pia needs.
“Right, I’m going to head back to the apartment and grab Eden some stuff,” Bella says. “Anybody got a preference for snacks?”
Becca goes to open her mouth, but Bella lays two fingers over her lips. “I have Doritos on the list, babe.”
“Whatever you guys want,” I say, my attention focused on the door leading to Pia’s room. I hope she’s okay. Same for Eden and Todd.
I settle in a waiting room chair with Liz on one side of me and Becca on the other. Jenna has sat herself opposite, and I can see it was strategic because she’s tapping away on her phone like a maniac and clearly doesn’t want anyone to see what she’s writing. Hmm, I think Eden is on to something. I think Jennaisseeing someone.
Considering we could be here for hours, I make it my mission to find out. “Hey, Jen. Wanna come and help with some crap coffee?”
“Oh, sure.”
The second we’re out of earshot, I pull her to a stop. “Okay, who is it? I told you the conversation wasn’t over, and now I’m here to collect.”
Jenna blushes furiously. “I thought Eden might have told you.”
“When did she find out?”
“Just before your date.”
“Well, we kind of got sidetracked.” I laugh, waving a hand around the hospital corridor. “Why do you look so nervous?”
“It’s Kiera,” she blurts.
Kiera. I wouldn’t have guessed that in a million years. The name is like a relic from another life. “The soccer captain, Kiera?” I clarify, even though I know exactly who she means.
Jenna grimaces, but then laughs, a relieved, self-deprecating little sound. “Yeah. She’s not as intimidating when she’s teaching eight-year-olds how to tie their cleats.” The words seem to soften her posture. “I know she was, um, kind of an arsehole to Eden in high school.”
“Kind of?” I raise an eyebrow.
She squeezes her coffee cup, fingertip denting the lid. “She’s different now. Honestly.” Her face goes earnest at once. “She apologized to Eden. For everything, even the 5K sabotage incident.”
My brain conjures the memory of Eden hobbling toward the finish with me, Bella, Becca, Pia, Todd, and Bryce walking by her side. She was so upset she hadn’t been able to run across the finish line. Pia had wanted to hunt Kiera down, but as usual, Eden was the better person. So much so that when Kiera turned up to Bryce’s party and got told by him to fuck off, it was Eden who stood up for Kiera. She accepted her apology with grace and moved on.
“That’s actually…good,” I say, and mean it. “Are you into her?”
“Yeah.” Jenna’s smile is soft-edged. “It’s so stupid.” She shrugs, but it’s a fond shrug—the kind people reserve for the most impossible crushes, or rescue dogs that pee on expensive rugs.
“It’s not stupid.” I nudge her with my shoulder. “You deserve someone fun. I never knew you were into older women,” I joke, earning a playful jab to the ribs.
“I just like her.” She hesitates a beat before continuing, “Her ex is basically a psychopath, and I think it really made her look at her past self, you know.”
“Wow, I’m sorry she had to go through something so shitty.”
“She’s not hung up on the ex or anything, it’s just…complicated. Her ex is still friends with Kiera’s friends, so it’s a little awkward. You know how queer relationships get. Sometimes I’m surprised there’s anyone left on earth who isn’t someone’s ex-girlfriend or ex-roommate. Anyway, I’m just trying to be a friend right now.”
