Page 42 of That Summer
“Rough physio today.”
“Are you hurting?”
“Aching more than hurting. But it’s manageable.” Instinctively she gave her hip a rub. “They offered me an Advil, but I refused it.”
Lucas spun on the spot. “You did?” A huge smile sprang up from ear to ear. Pride poured out of him in the sweetest tone. “That’s really great news.”
“I’m trying. But it’s like they’ve been in cahoots with my shrink—the pain is a reminder that I’m alive. What a joke.”
The elevator chimed, and they stepped in. Lucas hit the down button as she braced herself against the wall. That first little drop did little to quell the butterflies. What were they going to do between drives? Curiosity gnawed on her.
“Well, let me know if it starts aching,” he said.
“Are you planning on making me run somewhere?”
He laughed. “No, not at all.”
“Whew, because that would be difficult.”
“Only because you’ve never done it.”
One point to Lucas.
The sun hung in the western sky as she and Lucas walked to the car. Lengthy shadows cascaded over the building with slight flickers of gold glinting off windows. The heat of the day surrounded them in a comfortable warmth–for now. The cool autumn night was fast approaching. Lucas tossed her coat into the backseat.
Foot firmly in place, she shook out her hands, trying to mentally prepare herself for the unknown. “So what’s the plan? What do I need to brace myself for?”
“Simple. We’re gonna take a long ride–”
Her eyes opened so wide she should’ve been concerned they’d fall out, but it was the least of her worries.
“According to Google maps, it’s ten minutes to the first destination. It’s not a busy time of day, so we should be right on schedule.” He opened the passenger door.
“First destination?”
“Yeah, remember, I said this would be a test run for the long trip to the track.”
She paced the length of the car shadow. “I remember, was just hoping you’d forgotten. Are we headed to the track?”
“Guess you’ll have to find out.”
It was the smirk that charmed her. She could do this. Baby steps. Sadness clouded her heart.
Baby steps...
It’s what Nate called his training program with her—Operation Baby Steps. Briefly, she wondered if he were near. Could he see her progress? He’d be so stoked. She glanced back at the car and over to Lucas.
This would be manageable right? She could do this easily. Three trips? Maybe not so much.
Think about it as a final test… If you can do this, you pass. Think about the end goal.
Lucas squeezed her shoulder, bringing her out of her mind and back into the present. “I promise, everything will be fine. Look inside on the dash.”
She cocked her head to check it out. “What’s that?” An ordinary piece of paper was taped to the dash.
“You can read it on the way.” He rested his elbow on the top of the door frame. “Something to keep part of your focus on something other than the many fabulous accomplishments you’re making.”
Oh Lucas.