Page 39 of The Run Back Home

"Let's go, Holloway," the rookie calls out from the other side. "Lets see what you got."

I look side-eyed at JJ who grins cockily as he takes his place beside me. Someone changes the song to something even more upbeat, while the two rookies across from us rub their hands together in anticipation.

For a second, I let myself lean into it.

The laughter. The dumb fun. The normalcy.

The blonde from earlier steps up beside me, holding out the ping pong ball, that same easy smile on her face. I don't take it right away, hesitating just long enough for JJ to nudge my shoulder.

When I do, my fingers graze her palm, and her cheeks flush instantly.

The reaction gives me a quick, unexpected rush.

Riding that high, I keep my eyes locked on hers, and without looking away, I toss the ball across the table.

I don't watch it land—I don't need to.

The way the crowd around me erupts into cheers tells me everything I need to know.

She bites her lip as JJ jostles me like I did something worth remembering. And when I grin at her on instinct, she takes a step closer.

I consider pulling her to me. Throwing my arm around her waist or—fuck it—pressing my lips to hers.

And it would be easy.

God, it would be easy.

But I just can't get myself to do it

Because it's not easier without history. And it's not simpler when it's not her.

Instead, I turn back to the table and watch JJ miss his shot.

"Seriously?" I ask, shoving him jokingly.

He winks at his girl, then leans into me. "I was distracted," he whispers, a stupid grin on his face.

I laugh and roll my eyes, but in reality, I'm jealous. I wish I were distracted by someone new.

Someone here.

But I'm not. I never am. And now I realize it's because everything leads right back to her.

Every woman I meet. Every memory I have.

Every bright square I trace feels like a fucking thread connecting me to her.

Behind me, across the park, one of those squares of light clicks off. I don't see it happen. But I feel it.

And just like that… she's gone again.

8

Lenny

"Alright, Seth—"

"It's, uh, Slice, actually."