Page 61 of Mr. Green (Mr. #2)

Lana

T his is it. This is the day. I’m running a half marathon. It’s surprisingly gorgeous weather. The sun is out and shining. I wish I could say the same for my attitude. I know I want to do this. I’m ready for this. I just feel like I’m missing something.

I shouldn’t feel this way. I have support from everyone I love. Well, almost everyone. I love Grant, but he has no idea how I feel. He has no idea I’m accomplishing something huge today.

Whatever. His loss. I did nothing wrong.

I debate for thirty seconds whether to lay in bed and play on my phone a little longer.

I watch the numbers on the clock, waiting for them to move forward.

Maybe it’ll give me motivation to get up and get going.

I need to be at the starting line in forty-five minutes.

I should eat, get dressed, and take Queenie out.

As if I summoned her, she puts her head on my hand, nudging it to pet her. I do, and petting her feels better. She’s the inspiration I need to get up.

I have things to do today. I’m running and I’m going to get my best time ever. I take a deep breath and push off the bed.

“Come on, girl. Let’s get you outside.” I bend down to put her leash on after I throw some shoes and a bra on. “I wish you could come with me today.” I pet her head and then pat her.

We go outside to the sun rising. It’s the first day of summer. The days are going to be long, happy, and sunny. I need that .

After I eat an apple and piece of whole grain bread I get dressed in the outfit.

The purple one I love that Grant bought for me.

It hurts to not hear from him. He helped me believe in myself and show me another side to what a relationship could be.

I guess it’s a steppingstone in the right direction.

I can find someone who will treat me right.

Someone who’ll stay with me. Love me for me.

It could’ve been him. He was probably my chance at a happily ever after if I could’ve just agreed to not see Ryan. I wish he could’ve understood it was my final step to get back to myself. He made me choose between him or me and I couldn’t choose a guy over myself again.

I distract myself with a badass rock song and swipe at a stray tear I didn’t mean to let out. I put my hair up in a ponytail and put my contacts in so I won’t have to worry about my glasses falling off. I intend to run my ass off today. I don’t want any distractions.

I pet Queenie one more time. “Wish me luck, girl.”

She nudges me, knowing I need a little love. I walk out the door with my head held high.

“You got this, La La.”

~

I get to the starting line, where Scarlett, Matt, Paige, Jason, and my parents are all waiting for me. I got here five minutes before they start. Might be pushing it a bit.

No one is at the check-in line, damn early birds who have it together. I go over and get my number.

“Lana!” Paige and Scarlett both scream. Jason is next to them, waving his arm up high.

I walk over to them and they embrace me in a hug. “Thanks for coming, guys!”

“Someone else is here.” Paige nods her head in the direction of the someone.

Yellow and red roses catch my eye first, then the man bun, then his perfectly pressed slacks and blazer. He always looks sexy, and it’s throwing me off. It’s making it hard to be mad at him.

“Hey, Sunshine.” He gives me a small smile.

I’m fighting the tears behind my eyes. I’m not crying in front of him. He chose to leave me after saying he never would. I want to slap him. I turn to my friends.

“You okay?” Jason asks as he pins my number to my back. I nod my head, avoiding Grant’s prying eyes.

“He’s been a mess. I don’t really give a shit. Give us two blinks and we’ll carry him out to his car,” Scarlett whispers to me.

I stare back at her, not sure what I want to do. I want to see him, but I want him to know I’m not a pushover. He can’t just decide to leave and then expect me to forgive him immediately.

The announcer calls for everyone to get ready.

“We’ll be waiting at the finish line for you! Go get ’em!” Scarlett cheers.

My parents wave, and I walk to them. “I appreciate you guys coming!” I can smell my mom’s perfume even outside in the open air.

“We wouldn’t miss this, honey! See you soon.” They both kiss my cheek and I get in the lineup at the starting line.

There’s a small speech from a woman who reminds me of a real-life stick figure with a hat on. All of a sudden, she says, “On your mark, get set, go!”

The horn sounds and everyone starts running.

My feet hit the pavement, one after the other.

The sun warms my back. I pass person after person.

I’m by no means in the front, but I’m keeping my pace up.

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice someone in inappropriate clothes running right behind me.

I look over my shoulder at Grant running in his nice shoes, slacks, and a button-down. He lost the jacket and roses, at least.

“What are you doing?” I scream behind me.

“I need to talk to you.”

“Right now isn’t a good time.”

Someone else notices a person joining the run who isn’t supposed to be here. “Sir! You need a number! You can’t just start running.”

Grant listens and steps off to the outside of the route. “Lana, I’m so sorry!” he tells me from the sidelines, dodging people as he moves forward.

I’m supposed to be focused on running my heart out right now.

Dealing with his poor decisions on the single most important day of my life is so dumb.

I turn my music up and run like hell. I need to pay attention to my surroundings, not Grant fucking Green.

I will not look over to him. It’s not happening.

Except I can’t avoid him. Some pull has me looking over every minute, seeing if he’s still there. He’s keeping up with me, which makes me mad and run faster.

Focus on where you are right now.

My scenery doesn’t seem real. I pass by mountains, the Hood River, the lake. My music is blaring. My heart is beating fast and my lungs are struggling to keep pumping air at this new pace.

The speed I run doesn’t matter. Grant is right there with me, his shirt wet with sweat and a clear sheen on his forehead. He’s run with me before, but he’s not dressed properly and hasn’t trained to run this long.

I focus on my breathing. In and out with each step. My legs are on fire as I push myself. Before I know it, the finish line appears.

I pick up my pace and run through, despite my legs telling me to stop. I look at the time. Two hours and eight minutes later, I finished! It’s the best time I’ve ever had. Paige and Lana are screaming. Jason is jumping up and down. My parents are waving.

Grant is breathing hard, staring at me. His eyes pleading to talk to me.

I can’t help it. The tears rush down my face.