Out of Bounds (The Summer Games #2)(18)

I shook my head. “The time for honesty has passed. We’ll all run, and since you’ve so clearly dressed for it, let’s make it two loops.”

She pinched her eyes closed but didn’t argue.

Everyone grabbed their shoes, laced them up, and headed outside. It was a chilly morning, but we’d warm up on the run.

“You’re running too?” Brie asked, coming to stand beside me. I wanted to push her away.

I nodded and stared out over the parking lot. “We’re a team. It’s only fair.”

Besides, the trail wound partly through the woods and I didn’t feel like having to explain to grieving parents why I’d let five young women run alone through the woods. It’d be easier if I just went with them.

“I don’t think I should have to run,” June said, propping her hands on her hips.

June had clearly come from a gym where she was the best of the best. She walked around like her shit didn’t stink, and she needed a dose of humility.

“June, you’re running. Next time don’t rat out your teammates.”

The first mile was easy enough, and by mile two I was ready to pick up the pace. I glanced behind me to take in the dynamic of the group. Brie had been leading through the first mile, and though I’d never turned around, I’d been aware of her breathing in time with me. Molly, Lexi, and Rosie ran behind her in a staggered line, and June brought up the rear, still moping.

“Mind if take the lead?” Brie asked, picking up the pace to run alongside me.

Her cheeks were flushed and a few strands of brown hair had fallen out of her ponytail. She was smiling and breathing heavy. I’d expected her to groan about having to run, but she looked happy to be out on the trail. Apparently I’d have to think up a new punishment for her next time.

“Go for it. Just follow the dirt.”

She nodded and set off running a few yards ahead of the group. At first, I focused on the trail, trying to think of what was coming around each corner in case I needed to warn her, but the trail had been cleared recently, so eventually, I let my gaze linger on her.

The light streaming through the tree tops highlighted her body. Similar to the elegance of a bird taking flight, Brie was most beautiful when her body was in motion, free. Her legs were long and toned, made for events like the balance beam and floor, and yet she was just as confident out on the dusty trail. Her back—all but exposed thanks to the silly costume—was tan, smooth, and more alluring than any back I’d seen before.

I kept my distance, running between her and the rest of the team, though if I’d been allowed, I think I would have ventured a little closer just to see what it felt like to run beside her.

What are you thinking?

She’s your gymnast.

I shook the thoughts from my head and turned my attention back to the trail. For the remainder of the run, I focused on the dirt beneath my feet and nothing else.





As the girls stretched and cooled off from the run, I checked my phone in my office. I had a few voicemails from my father, but I ignored them and called my grandfather back instead.

“Hall? Erik,” he said when the call connected. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve been busy,” I said, reclining in the chair so I had a view of the team through the large glass window. “How have you been?”

“Good. Good. I’ve been working in my garden and reading.”

I loved hearing him speak English. His Swedish accent made the words thick and comforting.

“Did you get that book I sent you?”

“It just arrived yesterday. A bit beat up on the corners—was that your country’s lousy postmen or mine?”

“Probably a little of both.” I smiled. “Let me know what you think of it when you finish.”

“I probably won’t have time to read it any time soon. I’m a very busy man, Erik.”

I laughed. He’d been retired for the last twenty years and spent most of his time reading or working out in his garden. “I know. I know. Have you talked to the woman who moved in across the street from you yet?”

“Again, I’m a very busy man.” He chuckled. “Besides, I’m still working up the courage. I can’t just throw myself on the poor woman. I need to think of a good excuse.”

“Ask her if you can borrow a cup of sugar.”

“What? Is that an American thing?”

I smiled. “Maybe.”

“I could ask to borrow an egg. I think she has a chicken coop in her backyard.”

“Are you stalking her, Farfar?”

“Of course not. I see it when I take Ludde on his evening walk.”

I hoped to still be walking my dog around my neighborhood at eighty-four.

“How are things going in Seattle?” he asked. “Have the gymnasts arrived?”

“Yesterday.”

“And?”

I sighed. “And it’s going about as easy as I expected. They’re five elite gymnasts with egos the size of Mount Everest.”

He chuckled. “I’ll never know how your father did it for so long.”

I gripped the phone tighter. He usually waited a little longer into our phone calls before bringing up my father.

“Don’t bother bringing him up. I won’t call him back.”