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Miles wasn’t fooled by her quiet words. She was giving him a look that seemed to see straight through him. He lowered his gaze and cut his eyes to the lights of the town.
“What makes you think there’s something wrong?” he said, keeping his voice light.
“Because I know you better than you know yourself.”
Something in her tone made his head swivel. He stared at her.
Izzy’s eyes had darkened with an unnamed emotion. She worried her lip with her teeth.
“Are you still seeing the psychologist?”
Her question made his jaw tighten. Whatever Izzy saw in his face didn’t deter her one bit.
“You know she said you’ll feel all kinds of emotions for a while and you should?—”
“I’m okay, Izzy,” Miles said more forcefully than he’d intended.
Izzy furrowed her brow. She jutted out her chin. “No, you aren’t.”
Miles’s nails dug into his palms.
Izzy sighed when she saw the movement. He stiffened when she took hold of his hand and clasped his fingers.
“You’re not okay, Miles,” she said softly. “And no one expects you to be. The guys in there?” She glanced at the bright window behind her.
Miles followed her gaze.
Elijah had changed Maisie into her pajamas and Tristan was reading a story to the sleepy little girl.
“They all know that. And they’re here for you.I’mhere for you.” Izzy’s fingers tightened around his. “You will be okay, Miles. Just…give it time.”
Miles swallowed past the sudden lump in his throat. His vision blurred with unshed tears as he gazed out into the night, grief at all that he had lost choking his breath. Izzy leaned against him and dropped her head on his shoulder, her quiet presence a balm on his conflicted heart.
By the time they went back inside the house, Miles was more composed. Though he glimpsed the concern in his friends’ eyes, they didn’t say anything.
Sleep proved elusive once more when he got home. Having spent almost half of his life unconscious, it was if his brain wanted to stay awake. Miles finally fell into a fitful slumber around one a.m.
It was past eight when he woke up. He had a light breakfast and changed into running shorts and a T-shirt. A distant rumble of thunder reached him as he finished tying up his laces and went out on the porch.
Miles eyed the few dark clouds creeping over the mountains while he warmed and stretched his muscles. He’d gotten into the habit of going for a run every morning, about a month after he’d come home. That’s how long it had taken for him to lose the walking stick he’d been given to stabilize his gait while his body recovered from its extended period of inactivity.
Miles was grateful for the extensive physiotherapy he’d received while he’d been out cold for twelve years. It meant he hadn’t been stuck in a wheelchair when he’d left the care home. Still, he was keen to get back to the level of fitness he’d maintained before the accident. Of all the Terrible Seven, he’d been the best at track and field when they’d been in high school.
Exercise was also the only way he’d found to soothe his muddled mind.
Something caught Miles’s eye when he started down the path that cut across his front yard.
The house opposite had an “Under Contract” board pinned above the “For Sale” sign that had been there the past couple of months.
Miles had been crushed when he’d found out the couple who’d lived there had passed away. He’d really liked the Beattys. According to Elaine, the house had been closed up for some time before the couple’s son finally put it on the market the week before Miles had woken up.
I wonder who bought it.
Miles started into a low jog and soon forgot about his mystery new neighbor. The crisp morning air tickled his nostrils, bringing with it the fresh scent of pine and cedar from the nearby forest. He picked up speed and soon lost himself in the rhythm of the physical activity, his breaths coming in steady pants as he pounded the pavement.
It was in these moments that he felt truly alive. His pounding heart. The feel of his warm muscles bunching and relaxing under his powerful strides. The wind in his hair. His mouth curved in a smile at the exhilarating feeling. Even the light rain that started falling couldn’t curb his thrill.
The cramp hit him at two miles.
