Page 40 of In the Long Run

KNOX

I’m well jack of my mornings with Gen being interrupted by phone calls.

‘I swear I’m not doing this on purpose,’ Celeste says, then explains that someone ran a red light and sideswiped her Corolla. She’s fine, but her car isn’t.

‘It’s not your fault,’ I whisper, and it isn’t, as much as I hate that I’m going to have to extricate myself from the warmth of Gen’s body and all her sleepy sounds. Her hands wander when she sleeps, and I’d had high hopes for this morning. Hopes that involved spending some time in her bed.

‘The plumbers will be at Alizée’s in fifteen minutes.’

I sigh. ‘I’m on it.’

‘Why are you talking so softly? Do you have company?’

‘Yes.’

‘That’s awesome! It’s Gen, right?’

Like it would be anyone else.

‘Of course it’s Gen.’

‘I’m sorry to interrupt.’

‘These things happen,’ I murmur for what feels like the fiftieth time in the last forty-eight hours. ‘Let me know if you need a lift once the tow truck arrives.’

‘I’ll figure something out.’

Once we’ve disconnected, I allow myself a few seconds to take in the scene in front of me. Gen’s burrowed down under the covers, arms wrapped around my chest. Her lips are still puffy and red, and there’s a small bruise on her shoulder. Dishevelled looks fucking fantastic on her.

‘Gen,’ I whisper, running my hand up and down her side.

She stirs, pressing her face into my chest. ‘No getting up. Run later.’ Sleepiness slurs her speech.

I’d like to hear what she sounds like when she comes like this. All husky and rumbly. Hear what my name sounds like in every voice she has.

I smile. ‘You don’t have to.’

She cracks open an eye. There’s mascara smudged underneath it. It’s adorable.

‘But I have to go.’

‘No.’ Gen’s arms tighten around me. All those strength sessions are working for her, and working a bit too well for me considering I have to be at Alizée’s in – shit – twelve minutes.

Still, I can’t stop my smile from turning indulgent, pleased. ‘I have to get to the patisserie, but I didn’t want you to wake up alone.’

‘Want me to come?’

‘Nah, you sleep.’ I chuckle, trying to untangle myself from her. My laugh turns into a hiss when she drags her nails down my back. ‘That’s not nice.’ I’m trying to be serious. ‘I don’t want to go but I have to.’

‘Fine,’ she huffs, throwing an arm across the pillow dramatically. The sheet slips, revealing her gorgeous tits. Her nipples peak in the cool morning air.

‘Also not fair,’ I groan. It’s a monumental effort to drag myself off the bed and get dressed.

She smiles up at me. ‘Who said I was interested in playing fair?’

It’s the challenge in her eyes that makes me do it. Or maybe the lightness in my chest. The happiness that is all encompassing whenever Gen’s near. ‘Are you not?’ I ask, pulling my new Croissants and Kilometres hoodie over my head.

‘Nope.’ Gen flops back against the pillows, tits bouncing, calling to me.

‘Maybe I’m not either,’ I reply, bending at the waist and drawing one of her breasts into my mouth and sucking lightly.

‘Knox,’ she moans. There it is. My name in her early morning voice. It’s as fantastic as I hoped.

‘Meet me for a run whenever you’re ready. And afterwards, I’ll make this up to you,’ I promise, scraping my teeth over her hard nipple. ‘I promise.’

‘I’m going to hold you to that.’

‘Good.’

I hope she does.

This phone. I swear. It’s managed to interrupt every quiet moment I’ve had today.

Not that there’s been many. I spent the morning at Alizée’s overseeing the plumbers who cleared all the pipes and drains.

Then my afternoon was filled with trying to find an electrician once the insurers insisted all our electrical sockets and appliances would need to be checked.

Are there any available today? Or tomorrow?

No. And we can’t reopen until we’ve been given the all clear.

There’s also the minor problem that we don’t have any supplies, but Eug has been ringing around, trying to sort that out.

‘Who’s that?’ Gen asks as she runs beside me.

‘I don’t know.’ I tip my phone towards her, showing her the screen. I’ve spoken to so many people over the last few days. ‘Might be that other electrician getting back to me?’

‘Hang on.’ Gen grabs my forearm, holding the phone steady as we continue to run. Her eyebrows draw together, lips puckering in confusion. ‘That’s Caleb’s number. Why would he …’

I answer the call on speaker, knowing Gen will appreciate being included. ‘Hello, Knox speaking.’

‘Hey, buddy.’ The friendly greeting is nice, but it doesn’t do anything to discount my confusion over why he’s calling me.

‘I’m here, too,’ Gen says.

‘Of course you are. You two are joined at the running belt these days,’ Caleb teases. We’ve only met briefly but I liked him immediately.

‘Is everything okay?’ I ask.

‘I’m fine,’ Eugene grumbles in the background.

My heart rate spikes and my pace increases instead of slowing, my body switching to autopilot seamlessly. The need to get home to Eugene is all I can think about. Gen matches me easily.

‘Eugene’s had a fall.’

Shit.

‘It was nothing. I lost my balance. I’m fine now.’

‘Madeleine and Chouquette were barking in the front courtyard, trying to get in to him.’

‘Did you hurt yourself, Eug?’

‘No!’

‘He hit his head pretty bad,’ Caleb says. ‘The ambo thinks it’ll need stitches and they want to check him out for a concussion.’

Ambulance? Jesus. This is the most Monday of any Monday ever.

Gen points to a path up ahead that branches off from where we’d normally go and whispers, ‘I know a shortcut. Follow me.’

‘Did you lose consciousness?’ I ask.

‘No!’

‘Yes.’ Caleb sighs. ‘I could see him lying on the floor. Luckily the screen door wasn’t locked. I called the ambulance.’

‘I was resting. Hard to get up on these old bones.’

‘You thought I was Knox.’ That’s telling, because aside from both being male, Caleb and I don’t have any physical characteristics in common. ‘And that it was ten years ago. And you’re bleeding.’

‘Okay, we’re ready to go here,’ a new voice says in the background.

‘How far away are you guys?’ Caleb asks.

‘Twenty minutes.’ My voice wavers and I clear my throat.

‘All good, buddy. I’ll ride with Eugene and meet you at the hospital.’

Gen hasn’t left my side since Caleb’s call.

We’re still in our sweaty running gear, each with our Croissants and Kilometres hoodies tossed over the top.

Her hair is a snarled mess and, honestly, mine’s probably not much better.

The whole way here, she held my hand and kept up a steady stream of chatter about the training runs we have scheduled for this week, some new exercises she wants to add to her strength workout and when she should start planning a baby shower for Meredith.

She asked me questions but made them easy to answer.

And I know why.

She didn’t want me alone with my thoughts.

She didn’t want me to beat myself up for failing someone I love again.

‘Knox.’ Gen tugs on my hand. ‘Did you hear that?’

‘No.’ I blink at the on-call doctor who’s clearly waiting for me to say something. ‘Sorry.’

‘We’re going to keep Eugene in overnight,’ he says. He’s a short man with lank blond hair that skims his jawline and the tired slouch of someone who’s worked a long shift.

Eugene groans but it’s a feeble sound, no bark or bite, a clear indication that his frustration at being back in hospital has been smothered by fatigue. Poor guy also can’t keep anything down at the moment.

‘We’re going to run a few more tests, and I want to get some fluids into you,’ he tells Eug.

‘I’ll stay with him,’ I say.

‘No, you won’t.’ Eugene’s frown deepens the lines on his face. ‘You’ll go home. There’s nothing you can do for me here, mate.’

But I’d be with him. That’s reason enough for me. ‘Eug—’

‘Someone’s got to take care of Madeleine and Chouquette.’

There’s literally a whole list of people who could do that. It’s another reminder of the life and community I’ve rebuilt here.

Gen squeezes my hand, her palm soft and tiny in mine but she’s so strong. ‘Why don’t I go and get us some water?’

‘Thanks.’

The doctor finishes up his notes and leaves the room right after she does.

‘I’m not in the mood to argue,’ Eugene starts.

‘Neither am I.’

‘And there’s nothing you can do for me here.’

‘I could keep you company.’ Damn it, I should’ve thought to bring our book with me.

He snorts softly and then winces. ‘I’m not going to be much company, mate. I’m going to rest and be grumpy.’

I look at him, serious. ‘I don’t want to leave you.’

I’m not just referring to leaving Eugene in hospital. There’s Yeti and Celeste. Croissants and Kilometres. All my new friends. And … I swallow the lump that appears in my throat.

How am I going to leave Gen? My plan to stay is currently stalled at the ideas stage because my CO’s on leave and my career adviser’s off sick. Without them on board, I’m sunk.

‘I know. But you can’t help me right now. They’ll call you if they need to. Go and be with your girl. Get some rest. You haven’t stopped for days. I promise I’ll be fine.’

The door opens again with a soft snick, Gen’s shoes squeaking against the linoleum.

‘Get him out of here, would you?’ Eugene asks her. ‘Take him home and look after him for me, please.’

Gen looks over at me. ‘I’d be very happy to do that for you.’

‘See, mate. It’s all sorted. I’ll be home tomorrow.’ Eug smiles weakly.

I let Gen take my hand and lead me away.