Free Run to You by Tawnya Jenkins Page A

being able to handle herself, it’s as if she’s lost her spunk.  That fight in her eyes and I’ll do anything to bring it back.
     

 
    Chloe
     
      It’s Wednesday now, I don’t have classes today.  I was supposed to start at Retribution two days ago, but my wonderful boyfriend told them I was ill so they agreed to give me another week.  I woke up before anybody else, I needed to snap myself out of this funk.  I needed to run.  My legs were itching for it, they demanded it.  I had barely turned the corner of the apartment building when someone came up next to me.  It should’ve startled me but I knew who it was.  I felt him the instant he got close. 
      Travis was here.
      And he was running right by my side.  Not speaking a word.
      I love this man.
      We run in silence, I’m not timing it or keeping track but it has to have been at least two miles before I finally stop to catch my breath.  As I stand there on the sidewalk, chugging my water, I can feel those sexy green eyes on me.  Sure enough, when I look up there they were, full of understanding and support.  No judgment, no regret, no anger.
        “Feel better?” he asks.
      I nod and then close the distance between us, smashing my lips into his.  His body molds to mine without any hesitation, his arms go fixed around me and before I can even think I’m climbing up him.  Holding onto him as if he’s the only life raft in my sea of despair.  His forehead rests against mine, “I thought I was losing you.”
        “I’m sorry,” I whisper.
        “No, Chlo.  I get it, I do.  But, this isn’t good for you it’s not healthy.  I’m worried about you.  You hardly eat, you don’t talk.”
        “Katie called me yesterday.  She said there was this poetry thing at the coffee shop on campus tonight.  I kind of want to go.”
        He searches my face for a few seconds before responding, scrunching his eyebrows together, “You want to go out?”
        “Yeah, I mean only if you’re okay with it.  I have some stuff I can read, I think maybe it would help.”
        “You write poetry?” he cocks his eyebrows at me.
        “I have a couple of things I’ve scribbled out over the years.” I shrug.
      Some people start to pass us and their staring makes me realize I’m still wrapped around him, he’s been holding me this entire time.  Feeling the redness fill my cheeks I hop down from him, but not before catching a slight hint of disappointment.
        “Okay, if you want to go, we’ll go.  I’ll get Brian and Jax to go too.  I would feel better if we go in a group.”  He grabs my hand and leads us back to his apartment.
      Once we get back he forces me to eat and shower…apparently he thinks I’m wasting away and I stink.  I call Katie back and let her know that we’re going.  She squeals in excitement and rambles on about having nothing to wear for a good 15 minutes before I finally manage to hang up.
     

 
    Chloe
     
      I dress in a pair of khaki colored skinny jeans with my black boots and lacey burgundy long sleeve top.  It’s getting colder outside and I don’t want to hassle with a jacket.  Plus, Brian had mentioned wanting to go to a club afterwards and bodies of people would make it even warmer.  I dab on some blush and mascara, put on some lips gloss and run my fingers through my hair to smooth down my curls.  When I come into the living room everyone gets quiet.  Katie is smiling at me, while Jax and Brian are just staring.
        Travis comes to stand in front me, “You look stunning,” he says as he tenderly kisses me.
        “Thanks,” I reply, regretting my choice in blush since clearly I won’t need it now.  “Ready?”
        “Yep, we’re all set.  Let’s go,” he replies.  He looks hot in his white three quarter sleeve Henley style shirt.  His dark wash jeans hang just below his defined “V” and hug him in all the right places.  His muscles