Running Forever

by Emily Camp

  Bree offered her side for Spencer to balance on.

  Carly looked at him, then Bree. “Want me to follow you back to his place?”

  Bree thought about it, but didn’t want to put Carly out anymore than she was. If Bree went back to Spencer’s apartment with him, she could just go to school from there.

  “I’ll just get my bag.”

  Carly raised an eyebrow as Bree reach into the back seat.

  “Don’t judge,” Bree whispered. “He needs a friend, just like I needed one earlier.”

  “Cept, your situation wasn’t your fault. He didn’t have to get drunk.”

  Bree looked back at Spencer. Without Bree’s help, he used the street lamp to balance himself. Owen and his girl stood in front of him.

  “I’ll talk to you tomorrow, thanks for bringing me.”

  “Um hmm,” she gave her a grin. “Behave.”

  “Now you sound like Garrett.”

  “Spencer’s drunk. Don’t let him take advantage of you.”

  Bree tossed her bag over her shoulder. “You know me better than that.”

  Carly wiggled her hand, “Bye-bye.”

  When Bree turned back to Spencer, something didn’t feel right. She was just a friend helping a friend. It didn’t matter what this looked like.

  Owen used his girl like an armrest and seemed to be in an intense conversation with Spencer when she approached. Owen turned toward her, “I tried to cut him off a couple hours ago.”

  Spencer waved a hand in the air, “I be all right.”

  “You’re trashed,” Owen said. By the looks of things, his arm candy didn’t seem to be any better off than Spencer.

  “Where are your keys?” Bree asked.

  Spencer lifted them from his pocket and let them dangle between them.

  Bree took them in her hand and Owen helped her get Spencer into the passenger side. Her nerves sped as she realized she was going to be responsible for not only him getting home safely, but his prized possession as well.

  Before she could turn and start toward the driver’s side, Owen stopped her. His face was serious despite the drunk at his side, “He really cares about you.”

  Bree swallowed the lump that immediately formed in her throat. “I care about him, too.”

  Owen narrowed his eyes. “Not like a friend. He may be an idiot, but he’s still my brother.”

  Guilt hit her chest. Maybe coming here was a bad idea. Could she say she loved Spencer? Yeah, but it wasn’t the same as what she felt for Garrett, it was more like what she felt for Parker or Bryson. Her mind went back to the letter. As curious as she had been all day, she wasn’t sure that she wanted to read it. If she read it, she couldn’t take it back. She didn’t want things to change.

  The car smelled like a mixture of cologne and a brewery when she climbed in. He stretched out and leaned back in his seat. “Take me home, Breanna.”

  “That’s what I’m trying to do.” Her heart hammered as she turned the key, scared that even that might mess something up. Even though the traffic was sporadic, she hesitated merging into the street. The only ones out this late were normally cops and drunks, something she sadly learned earlier than she needed to, considering her mother was one of those drunks.

  “You’ll be careful with my baby, right?” When he patted the console between them his hand brushed over her elbow.

  Bree flinched and pulled onto the street. “I’ll try.” She went way under the speed limit. It might be a red flag for the cops, but she hadn’t been drinking and Spencer was 21, so it wasn’t like he’d get in trouble. Her biggest concern was not getting a scratch on his car. Though he might be okay with this tonight, sober she knew he’d be freaking out. She held her breath as the street passed by and she white knuckled the steering wheel as if that would protect the car from harm.

  “You know you’re great, Bree.” Spencer touched her shoulder. Knowing what Owen said, and finding that suspicious note at his place made her think twice about it. Before, she wouldn’t have thought anything of it. She dipped her shoulder so his hand would fall. “I’m trying to concentrate.”

  “Oh right.” He leaned his seat back, almost to a reclining position. “What a night.” He sighed and folded his hands behind his head.

  Bree’s heart pounded and she kept a steady speed down the lonely road until she finally came to his apartment building. The plus was the parking lot was almost bare, with most of the tenants back at home for the summer. She eased into his parking spot and double checked everything before shutting the engine off.

  “Thanks. Thank you. Thank yooooou.” Spencer wobbled out of the vehicle.

  Bree felt a rock in the pit of her stomach as she climbed out of the car and grabbed her things from the back. Spencer slouched against the bumper, his hands in his pockets, while he waited on Bree. “I think I’m drunk.”

  “You think?” Bree pressed the lock on the key ring twice until she heard the double beep. The last thing she needed was for someone to break into the car because she forgot to lock it. Then she turned toward Spencer, who draped his arm around her shoulders.

  “Just a little.” He held his thumb and finger up like he was pinching something, though it didn’t last long before he lost his balance and Bree had to hold him up to keep him from falling.

  “I think you need to sleep it off.” Since they were in a college town, even though it was the middle of summer, Bree didn’t think anything off the car that crept by as she helped him up the stairs. His hand slipped off her shoulder and down her arm, stopping at her elbow. She stiffened, while taking the stairs one at a time.

  “You’re great.” Spencer brought his booze smelling mouth to her ear.

  “Yeah, you said that already.” Bree shrugged away from him when they reached his door. She slipped the key in the lock as Spencer leaned against the wall, a sideways smile and hooded eyes on his face as he watched Bree twist the door open.

  “I’m lucky to have you,” Spencer said.

  “Yep.” She pushed on the door and headed inside.

  Spencer flipped on the light. “Honey, I’m home!” He chuckled, “oh wait, I live by me self.” He staggered toward the sofa.

  “You want me to get you some water and an aspirin?” The only reason Bree knew these might help with a hangover in the morning was because of the nights she had to care for her drunken mother.

  “I’m not tired.”

  At this point, neither was Bree, but she didn’t want anything coming out of Spencer’s mouth that she didn’t want to hear.

  “Sleeping it off might be good for you.” Bree found the medicine in a drawer then poured water in his beer mug.

  The television came to life and Bree jolted at the loud noise.

  “Sorry,” Spencer called out as the volume softened. “Wanna watch a movie?”

  Bree made her way around the sofa and handed him the pills and water. “No. I want to get some sleep.”

  “I’m sorry.” He patted the spot next to him after he tipped back the medicine and the water. “Let me make it up to my bestie.”

  Bree crossed her arms as if that would keep him away from her. “I have a class in the morning.”

  He frowned and nodded, though he looked more like a bobble head with that nod. “You can have my bed,” he flung his hand in the air, “I’m fine here.”

  She looked toward his bedroom, hesitating for a minute. She wasn’t sure she wanted to sleep there, but her other options were wrangling him to the bedroom so she could have the sofa, or sleeping on the floor.

  “But wait,” he called out as soon as she turned. Bree stopped and looked at him. “I have to tell you something.” He attempted to straighten his shoulders.

  There was a time she thought she had feelings for him, but now she didn’t see him like that.. “Can it wait? It’s already after three.”

  “I’m so sorry about that. Do you know how awesome you are?”

  “Good night, Spencer.” She hurried to his room before he could get a
nother word in.

  ****

  Spencer snored from the sofa, all sprawled out, the television still on. Bree started to tip-toe out the door, but just as she reached it, she remembered that envelope. She stared at Spencer for a minute, his spikey hair, flat in places, his mouth wide open. He didn’t look like much could wake him.

  Bree took a step toward the drawer, then back again, feeling like she was doing the cha-cha or something. She watched Spencer as he scratched his chest, his shirt had ridden up, exposing part of his flat stomach.

  She started toward the drawer again. This time, determined to get the letter out before she changed her mind. She held her breath as she slid it open and it made a creaking sound.

  Spencer turned to his side. She paused like if she stayed still he wouldn’t see her. But he wouldn’t see her anyway, because he never opened his eyes. He settled and mumbled what she thought was her name. She winced. He shouldn’t be mumbling her name in his sleep.

  He was a player. He didn’t care about girls like that.

  When he was still again, she looked down in the drawer, but the envelope wasn’t right on top. Her heart sank. After stewing all night, she’d decided she wanted to know what it said, even if she didn’t return the feelings. As quietly as possible she shuffled things around, but the envelope didn’t appear. Spencer moved again, and she knew she was pressing her luck. She let out a small breath and slid the drawer shut.

  What did he do with it and what did it even say? She adjusted the strap of her bag on her shoulder and stood up. Just as she did, Spencer’s eyes cracked open and met hers. Her heart pounded like she’d been caught.

  “Are you leaving already?” His voice came out scratchy.

  “I have class.” Bree motioned toward the door. She tried not to look guilty.

  Spencer sat up, holding the side of his head. “Whoa.”

  “I thought you weren’t going to feel well this morning,” Bree smiled. He must not have noticed her rooting through his side table.

  “Nope.” His forehead wrinkled as he squeezed his eyes shut and winced.

  She shuffled toward the door, “I’ll see you later.”

  She hurried out so fast, the door slammed behind her. Her heart began to slow when her feet hit the sidewalk. That was close. But he was her best friend, besides Carly, she couldn’t avoid him forever.

  Chapter 9

  When Garrett drove up to Carly’s, he felt a pang in his gut. Not only did he feel horrible for the way he reacted yesterday, but he also remembered his best friend, Colten - who was killed during a school shooting their junior year in high school - when Colten fought with Carly, and they stopped by the morning after that party. It felt like it was more than three years ago, yet it also seemed like it could have been last week.

  Garrett took in a deep breath, steeling himself for this. He knew Bree was angry, but she’d had time to cool down now. He sure did. He hated that he let his anger get the better of him yesterday. Telling her he thought she slept with Spencer had to have opened old wounds. She was always worried about turning out like her mom and that was basically what he accused her of, though he knew better.

  He knocked on Carly’s door. It was early, but he had to get here before she left.

  It took a little bit before the door eased opened and Carly came into view. Her little brother was perched on her hip. “Hey Garrett.” She looked back in the house before stepping out on the porch.

  “I came for Bree.” Like it wasn’t obvious.

  “Yeah,” Carly bit her bottom lip. Maverick looked up at Garrett with his big, sleepy eyes and head on Carly’s shoulder. “She’s not here.”

  Garrett scratched the back of his head. “Did she leave already?” He thought he got here way before she’d be ready.

  Carly looked over his shoulder as if the answer was in his car. “I took her to Spencer last night.”

  A boulder hit his chest. “What?”

  “It’s not what you think.”

  “She got mad at me for thinking she slept with him, then she stays the night with him?”

  “You’re overreacting.” Carly moved Maverick to her other hip.

  Garrett laughed at that one. “No, it’s Bree who overreacts.”

  “He was drunk and needed a designated driver.”

  Garrett wasn’t sure if it was the news or the heat that was making him sick. “That’s not any better.” He started to back away, his hands fisted at his sides. He wanted to punch something. He wanted to punch Spencer.

  “She doesn’t like Spencer like that.”

  “She doesn’t like me like that, either.” Garrett’s head began to spin.

  “Yes, she does.”

  “That’s not what she says.” His heart drummed in his ears and he felt like he was going to pass out.

  “Garrett,” Carly put her hand on his shoulder. It grounded him as he sat on the wicker chair.

  “We’re never getting back together.” He stared down at his hands, calloused from lifting weights and throwing footballs, what he thought he was good at. His new coach, however, wasn’t impressed.

  “She does care about you.”

  Garrett shook his head, thinking of all the times Bree told him otherwise. He was finally calling it. It may have taken two years to accept, but he was done now. He was no longer going to be second choice to Spencer.

  “Whenever given the option, it’s kind of funny she ends up with Spencer.”

  “She thinks of him like a brother.”

  Garrett looked up at Carly, noticing her own brother, who hadn’t made a noise since he’d been here. If that was Bailey, she would have talked non-stop.

  “Thanks for trying to make me feel better, but I think it’s time I focus on football, school, and Bailey.” Maybe he should have done that months ago.

  He stood up and began to walk away.

  “Garrett,” Carly called out after him, but Carly wasn’t the one he needed to talk to about this, if he was even going to talk at all.

  ****

  The more Garrett thought about it as the morning went on, the madder he got. So, it probably wasn’t the best time for Bree to approach him right when he was dropping Bailey off at daycare.

  “Mama.” Bailey reached for her.

  He didn’t say anything as Bree took Bailey from him.

  “Hey, Mommy missed you.” Bree kissed Bailey on the cheek.

  “Bailey miss Mommy,” Bailey giggled.

  Garrett watched as another young mom carried her son out of the daycare.

  “You ready for school?” Bree pointed toward the door.

  “No.”

  Bree laughed and looked up at him. Garrett turned his face toward Bailey.

  “I don’t want to go to school, either, but Mommy has to, and so does Bailey.”

  Bailey puckered her lip and batted her eyes up at Garrett. “Daddy school?”

  “I have football practice.” He nudged her with his fist.

  “Ball.”

  “Yes, I’m going to play ball.”

  Bailey reached for him, he didn’t look at Bree as he took her back. “You better get to class.”

  Bree didn’t say anything for a minute, but he felt her staring. “Are you mad at me for something?”

  He shook his head. “No.”

  She placed a hand on her hip and tilted her head, squinting her eyes at him.

  “I need to drop her off,” he nodded past Bree.

  She hesitated before letting out a sigh and stepping to the side. “Garrett, wait.”

  He stopped before he reached the door and turned around.

  Bree twisted her hands in front of her, her bottom lip in her mouth, something he always thought was cute before, but now only irritated him more. How could she pretend like everything was okay?

  “Can we talk?” Her voice came out almost a whisper and she blinked her big brown eyes at him.

  He leaned forward, “About what?”

  Bailey reached for her mama again.

/>   Bree blinked and wrinkled her forehead as she took Bailey from him. “Us?”

  “I didn’t think there was an ‘us’.”

  “Why are you being so mean?”

  Garrett clenched his jaw. “Do you care?”

  Bailey jabbered and reached for him.

  “Yes,” she tucked her hair behind her ear and squinted at him, “I care.”

  He looked over her shoulder at the entrance. “I need to get to practice.”

  “I need a ride home today.”

  Resisting the urge to tell her to have Spencer take her, he didn’t want to get into it now, not before practice, he said, “Meet me outside the locker room.”

  She stared at him for a second, before finally saying. “Okay.” Her soft voice had a shake in it. He hesitated before going into the daycare.

  After all, this was what she wanted, for him to leave her alone.

  ****

  Bailey waved bye to Bree as Garrett disappeared through the door with her on his hip. Bree wanted to go with them, but knew it would only take Bailey that much longer to get adjusted. Last night, Garrett begged and pleaded for her to talk to him, but now he seemed like he was bothered by her presence.

  Bree hitched her heavy backpack on her shoulder again and looked toward the direction of her class. Sweat already formed on her forehead and she hadn’t been out long, and though the air conditioning didn’t seem like a bad idea, she dreaded going back to class now. It’s not like she’d be thinking of anything but Garrett’s distance this morning.

  Maybe she overreacted yesterday, but didn’t he understand he hit a sore spot?

  Bree’s feet were heavy as she headed toward her next class.

  “Bree,” Spencer’s frantic voice made her stop.

  When she turned, he was speeding toward her, still wearing the rumpled clothes he slept in and his hair a mess. Not the way Spencer normally left his apartment.

  “Wait.” His breaths were heavy when he reached her. He held one hand out, looked over her shoulder, then back, before he spoke again. “Did I … did I say anything last night?”

  “No,” and she was thankful he didn’t.