“Okay, and, uh, Keller told me to tell you to not take too long. There’s a schedule for the day.”
There’s a schedule for the day—that was said in a very immature, mocking voice.
Deep breaths, Lilly.
She’s just the messenger. No need to lash out at her.
“Thank you, Lara.” I smile and then slip into the bathroom.
Not take too long . . . where does he get off?
And forcing me to work out? Timmy is going to drop dead when I tell him I went for a run. Running is not my thing. I’m more of a Pilates kind of girl—you know, a little ab work here and there. Nothing too strenuous. Nothing that’s going to force me to gasp for air.
But it seems that attitude doesn’t work for today’s schedule.
Irritated and bitter—a whole lot of bitter—I take care of my business on the tiny toilet, brush my teeth with the freezing cold jiggling-pipe water, and then slip my clothes on and throw my hair up into a ponytail.
I stare at my reflection and say, “This is the best they’re going to get.”
Lucky for me, the clothes and shoes fit amazingly, and Lara was smart to include a long-sleeved workout shirt for me. Given how cold my room is this morning, I can only imagine what it’s going to be like when I step outside.
I head down the stairs to the entryway of the house, where Brimar, Lara, and Keller are all standing, waiting for me.
With a fake smile plastered across my face, I sarcastically say, “Lovely morning for a run, isn’t it?”
“Good morning, Miss Campbell,” Brimar says.
“Lilly, for the love of God, please, all of you, call me Lilly,” I nearly screech and then realize the tone of my voice. When I reach the bottom stair, I grip the banister and take a deep breath. “I apologize for that outburst. I’m not much of a morning person, nor do I tend to run for fun. So, I’m slightly on edge at the moment. But, please, call me Lilly.”
Keller steps up and says, “Lara has informed us of your indifference toward working out this morning. But it’s required of them, and I like to stay in top, physical form as well.”
Yes, well, that’s obvious from the man-cleavage I had the privilege of staring at on the airplane.
“I’m well aware of everyone’s desires to stay physically fit, but I need to warn you—I am not in tune with my lung capacity when it comes to running. Therefore, there might be a lot of walking in your future.”
Brimar and Lara exchange worried glances. “I’ll stay back with her,” Keller says. “I know you two have a routine.”
“Ah, a nuisance and a white knight.” I pat Keller on the shoulder. “An all-around catch for the ladies.” I gesture toward the door. “Shall we get this torture over with?”
Together, we all exit the castle, and Brimar locks up with some special device I’ve never seen before. Here I was expecting a fresh-from-the-iron skeleton key, but this device is high tech, utilizing a keycode, beeping sound, and laser.
So, we can have a spaceship laser key, but the doors in the bathroom can’t shut properly. Yup, makes sense.
Brimar pockets the laser thing, and then, like someone just hit the start button, Brimar and Lara take off in a run.
And so does Keller.
Wait, what about a warmup? Stretching? Maybe a moment to procrastinate?
“You coming?” he asks, looking over his shoulder.
“Yes, but I expected a warmup. These old limbs haven’t worked like this in a while.” I gesture to my legs.
“You’re twenty-seven, there is nothing old about you.”
“Tell that to the bunion on my big toe.”
Ew, why did I just say that?
From the wretched look on Keller’s face, I can tell he’s thinking the same thing.
“It was a joke,” I say as I catch up to him, my body aching everywhere as I try to pump the gas. Come on, body. Get moving. Wake up. “There’s no bunion.” He doesn’t say anything but continues forward. “I do have calluses, though. Rough and crusty when not treated. Do you have any?”
“No,” he answers.
Ha, okay.
“So, I’m to believe that if I took your shoe off, I couldn’t use the bottom of your foot to shave my leg?”
“No.”
“Do you have secret soft baby feet I’m not aware of?”
“Yes.”
“You are such a fucking liar,” I huff out, trying to keep pace. But he doesn’t say anything after that and with the heavy workload on my lungs, I decide to end the conversation. Best save all the strength I have and not waste it on battling him about his feet.