Page 42 of Free to Live

“I can barely remember it,” I grumble as I lengthen my stride to keep up.

Our booted feet slap against the concrete as we make our way around the corner. And then we see it like an oasis in the desert.

A water station.

“Race you,” I call out, sprinting ahead. I hear Brett’s muted “Dick” behind me as I snatch up the first ice-cold water cup. “Thanks,” I gasp out.

“You’re welcome,” a feminine voice says warmly. I nod as I chug the second.

I’m debating whether to get a third to pour over my head when Brett makes his way next to me. “Hey, Em. Thanks.”

“Hey, Brett. It’s been a while.” My head snaps up, and sure enough, Emily Freeman is smiling at Brett. My eyes narrow as they flit from one to the other.

“Congratulations on your engagement. Lucky guy,” he throws out casually.

Emily’s face lights up. “We’re both lucky, but thanks.”

He grabs another water and chugs it. Emily meanwhile turns her attention back to me. “Joe, you want another one?”

“Only if I can pour it over my head,” I tell her honestly.

A huge smile crosses her face. She bends and reaches under the table. Coming back up, she hands both me and Brett ice-cold frozen paper towels. “You’re a goddess, Em,” Brett moans, wiping his face.

Emily just laughs.

Quickly doing the same, I also wipe the back of my neck. “Jesus, that’s amazing.”

“Be sure to thank Ali. We’ve had them on hand for most of the races she’s run since college,” Emily confides.

“I remember her being hugely competitive,” Brett recalls.

“She still is. She has a side bet with Keene today,” Em tells us, amused. Her eyes scan the horizon behind us. “Better get a move on, guys. You’re still in the lead, but looks like some of your comrades are coming up hot.”

“Shit,” we say simultaneously. Em reaches under the table for a trash can. We dump our dirty cups and towels in it before taking off.

We’re a few feet down the road before I ask, “How do you know Emily?”

Brett waits until our boots slap a few times in unison before answering, “I went out with her on a few dates years ago before she started dating some doctor. They got serious, so we ended things.”

“Now she’s engaged to another guy,” I muse.

“You had dinner with them. Did you meet him?” My head whips toward him. He sounds resigned and a little crushed at the same time.

“You had feelings for her,” I accuse. I punch him in the arm. Hard. “And you didn’t bother to mention this? Jesus, Brett, we’ve only been friends since we were kids. What the hell?”

“It felt like it was so soon after things happened with Mary. What was I supposed to say? Hey, buddy, sorry you lost your woman, but I might have found one?” He shrugs. Things are quiet as we pant our way through the next few yards. “Besides, as you can see it didn’t work out.”

“Still.” We round a corner, and my eyes light on the sun glinting off a fire sitting on the side of the road. I assure myself the only reason I’m not racing madly to throw myself on top of it is the fact that she’d likely knee me in the nuts for breaking her camera.

“Still,” Brett continues. “It was done. Em’s happy, and I haven’t been sitting home miserable myself,” he reminds me.

“True,” I concede. Even as we approach Holly, I know she has to be taking a million pictures. I throw off a two-fingered salute in her direction. She lowers her camera away from her stunning face to throw a smile in my direction.

“Smile pretty, boys,” her lightly accented voice calls out.

Brett, the asshole, decides at that moment to jump on my back like a kid. Since I have Grace, it’s instinctive to grab him beneath his ass and boost him up. Holly hoots and hollers. I give her a show for a few seconds before I drop him and keep running.

“Daddy,” Brett calls out plaintively, “I want something to suck on after the race is done.”