One Summer

29

Later that week, before her dad left for work and she had to watch the kids, Mikki pulled on some shorts, tennis shoes, and a tank top, stretched her legs, and headed to the beach to run. She was naturally athletic, taking after her dad, but she’d never gone out for any school sports teams. The jocks at her school were obnoxious, she thought. And she disliked the competitiveness of sports. She simply liked to run, not try to beat someone running next to her.

She headed down the beach, listening to tunes on her iTouch. She’d put on lots of sunblock because her skin was still pale from the bleak Ohio winter and cold spring. The sun felt great; the views were breathtaking. Her arms pumped, and her long legs ate up ground at a rapid pace. People were fishing from the shore; kids were playing in the sand; teenagers were body surfing in the rough breakers. Though it was still early, a few people were already lying out on beach blankets, reading and talking.

“What the—” she gasped.

The guy had run right up beside her.

“Hey,” he said, grinning.

Mikki saw that it was the boy from the Mercedes convertible. He had on board shorts, no shirt. He was lean and muscled. Up close he looked like a Ralph Lauren model, which meant she instantly despised him.

She took out her earbuds, though she kept running.

“The beach is pretty wide,” she said back, trying to look indifferent, “so pick another spot.”

“I’m Blake Saunders.” As they ran, he put out his hand to shake.

She ignored it. “Good for you.”

“Can we stop running for a sec?”

“Why?”

“It’s important.”

She stopped, and he did too.

“Okay, what?” she demanded.

“I wanted to apologize for what happened the other day. Tiff can be a real piece of work.”

“Tiff?”

“Tiffany, Tiffany Murdoch.”

Mikki snorted. “She looks like a Tiffany.”

“Yeah, she’s pretty spoiled. Her dad was some big-shot investment guy in New York before they moved down here and built the biggest house on the beach.”

“So why do you hang out with her?”

“She can be fun.”

Mikki gave him a scathing look. “Oh yeah, I’m sure she can be fun.” She slapped her behind. “Hug ’em?”

“No, I didn’t mean it that way.”

Mikki said, “I’m going to finish my run.”

“Mind if I jog along with you? I’m the quarterback on the high school football team and I’m trying to keep in shape.”

“Suit yourself, QB.”

“And your name?”

She hesitated but then said, “Mikki. Mikki Armstrong.”

They ran on.

“So what grade are you in?”

“Junior next year.”

“I’ll be a senior. So you guys just moved down here?” said Blake.

“Yeah, from Cleveland.”

“Wow, Cleveland.”

She looked to see if he was making fun of her. “Yeah, Cleveland. Got a problem with that?”

“No, I meant that was cool. You have a pro football team. Although no more LeBron James.”

“Yeah, but we have the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.”

“That’s cool. You play music?”

“Some, yeah. Mostly guitar. And bass.”

“I’d like to hear it sometime.”

“Why?”

“You’re hard to get to know.”

“Yes, I am.”

“Maybe we can hang out sometime.”

“Again, why? If Tiffany is your type, it would be a waste of time. Because I’m not a Tiffany by any stretch of the imagination.”

“Because it’s nice to meet some people who aren’t from around here. Small towns can be pretty boring.”

“Well, I plan to run on the beach about this time every day.”

“Great. Maybe next time I won’t get the evil eye as much.”

He playfully punched her in the arm, and Mikki let slip a tiny smile.

“Finally, a crack in the armor,” he kidded.

“Do you know Liam Fontaine?” she asked.

“Yeah, he’s cool but a little odd.”

“Odd? Why?”

“No sports, though I know he’s a good athlete.”

“Well, he works at the restaurant and he has his music. Not much time for anything else.”

“Sounds like you already know him.”

“I met him. He’s an amazing musician.”

Blake grinned. “Maybe you should ask him out.”

“Please. I don’t really know him.”

“That’s all I’m asking for. A chance to get to know you.”

Later, they finished their run. Blake said, “See you tomorrow?”

“Okay.”

“You’re a good runner.”

“So are you,” she conceded.

“Have a good one.”

He took off at a full sprint, and she caught herself admiring his tanned, muscled back and legs. Then she headed on to the Palace.