The Rub Down (21 page)

Alexa

It was finally the day I had trained for. The day I had been looking forward to, and at the same time, dreading. I barely slept last night. Luke gave me more than one orgasm in an effort to help, but falling asleep hadn’t been easy. I was scared shitless I would snooze through my alarm and miss my bus to the starting line. Once I finally did, every hour, starting at two o’clock, I’d wake in a panic, thinking I’d overslept.

If I fall asleep right now, I’ll get four more hours of sleep.

If I fall asleep right this very second, I’ll get three hours and twenty-four minutes of sleep.

If I fall asleep right now, I’ll get one hour and thirteen minutes of sleep.

It was awful. I was antsy and stressed out as I put on my running gear. Every runner would be searched before climbing aboard the busses. We were no longer allowed to bring backpacks with extra gear, food, or water. If we wanted those things, they had to fit in the pockets of our clothes.

One of my biggest worries was the need to use the bathroom. I had a bladder the size of a pea, or so my mother always told me when I needed to stop at every rest area when we took trips. Last year, I drank so much water before we started that I had to pee a hundred times. This year, I didn’t want to be one of the thousands of people at the starting line waiting to use the porta potty. But I knew I would. The nerves alone would send me there at least three more times.

Once I was dressed, I headed downstairs to grab breakfast and call for my cab. When I hit the final step, I was surprised to see Addison in the kitchen, a hot cup of coffee on the counter next to her.

“What are you doing up so early?” I asked.

“Morning, my little runner. I made you breakfast, and I wanted to wish you luck before you left.”

Addison really was the best person I knew. Without her, I would be lost. My parents were great, and I loved them so much, but Addison held all my pieces together, day in and day out. After the race was over, since things with Luke couldn’t be better, it was time to focus on Addison. She needed to learn to love herself as much as she loved others, and find a man to love her more than anything else in the world.

A bagel with peanut butter, dried fruit, and hard-boiled eggs waited for me on the table. We chatted about our after race game plan, before she excused herself to change clothes. In her absence, I checked the weather and news updates, and scrolled through Facebook on my phone. All the focus was on the marathon and remembering the year before. I couldn’t read it without freaking out, so I put down my phone and forced myself to think positive thoughts.

When I finished my breakfast and gathered my things, Addison gave me a huge hug and wished me luck.

It was race time.

*****

After the checkpoint, I climbed on the bus for the forty-five minute ride to Hopkinton. The vibe was electric. I felt the buzz coming off every runner as we all got in the zone. Twenty-six point two miles was a long way to run. Sometimes, I thought I was crazy for even doing it, but I loved the challenge.

As I stared out the window, my phone buzzed. Luke’s name popped up with a text.

Magic Hands: Good luck today, Lex. Remember to run your own race, be strong, think positive, and know that I’ll be at the finish line waiting for you. You’re beautiful, strong, and courageous. You’ve stolen my heart, and I don’t want it back. Know that you have a piece of me with you today.

Luke’s words touched my heart. In five short weeks, he had become such a huge part of my life. I had fallen head over heels in love with him, and I couldn’t have been happier.

I shot him a message.

Me: Thank you for the text. I needed those words of encouragement. I’m glad you don’t want your heart back. I need one since you have mine. I can’t wait to see you once I cross that finish line.

Luke’s text reminded me of the bedtime story he told me before I drifted off to sleep last night.

“Once upon a time, there was a princess named Alexa. She lived in a far off land. She was beautiful, smart, and funny. Her hair was like spun gold, her eyes as blue as a clear day. Her legs were sexy as all fuck, and her ass was so delectable.”

I smacked him lightly on the stomach for that comment, and laid my head down on his shoulder to let him continue.

“She had this light about her that drew people to her far and wide. A duke from the same land, who never had seen the princess before, caught a glimpse of her one day and fell under her spell. He was enamored with her beauty and spirit. The duke needed to spend time with her. He ached to be near her, day in and day out.

“One day, he grew a set of balls and asked her on a date. She said yes, and the duke couldn’t have been happier. They went out to dinner, and he fell hopelessly in love with her. The duke hadn’t known the princess for long, but he knew she was everything he had hoped for. Sadly, the morning after the duke professed his love to his princess, she ran away. Twenty-six point two miles to be exact. But the duke wasn’t worried. He would be waiting at the other side for her to fall into his arms. The end.”

Before I could say one word, Luke placed a small, reverent kiss on my lips, and left my room. Honestly, the thought had crossed my mind that my bedtime story was a dream. The questions swirling in my head kept me awake for a little while. Finally, the orgasms did their thing and pushed me off to dreamland, before anxiety over missing my alarm kicked in.

Was the story true? Was Luke in love with me?

Knowing he would be there to catch me at the other end was the one thing that would get me through the race.

*****

The longer I waited, the more my nerves increased. Every minute that ticked by seemed like an hour. But when the time came for my heat to line up, I was ready. I had warmed up and stretched. I had peed a half dozen times. I felt great. My fears leveled out, and adrenaline pumped through my body. I was strong. I was going to run my race.

I put my ear buds in, and waited for the gun to fire.

Once the signal sounded, we took off.

*****

Luke

My shoulders were tense, and my neck was stiff. I couldn’t relax. Alexa was at the runner’s campus in Hopkinton. The physically impaired heat had started the race. The elite runners were about to take off, but her heat didn’t start until eleven twenty-five. When I saw her bib yesterday, I made a note of Alexa’s race number. Between clients, I would track her using an app set up to follow runners. Thankfully, the spa wasn’t busy on race day, so I could stalk her throughout the course. Most Bostonians were enjoying the holiday, at the Red Sox game, or out of town to avoid the mass chaos of the city.

Danny was waiting in the lobby when I arrived downstairs so we could walk over to The Rub Down together. I wanted to speak to him privately about the Theresa issue.

“What’s up, brother?” Danny greeted me as I approached.

“Morning. Let’s head over. I want to talk to you about something important.”

We waved bye to the concierge and doormen, and headed to the spa.

“This isn’t going to be good, is it? Something happen with your girl this weekend?” Danny’s voice sounded apprehensive.

“My girl is great. She’s in Hopkinton, jazzed up to race.” I took a deep breath to prepare myself for the bomb I was about to drop. “Theresa was at the gala on Saturday, and cornered Alexa in the bathroom. She put two and two together. She saw Alexa and I outside the Zen room after her last appointment and then kissing while dancing.” I explained to him how Theresa was freaking out.

“Fuckin-A guy. This is what we didn’t want. What did she say to Alexa?” Danny was getting pissed.

“She told Alexa that I gave out happy endings regularly and that she paid me for them.”

“Shit. Did Alexa believe her? What a dumb bitch that chick is. She tried shit with me one day, too. We should have banned her months ago for coming on to everyone.” Danny shook his head, still not believing what had happened.

“Thankfully, Alexa knew she was a nut job and didn’t believe a word of what Theresa spewed. Now what do we do? I feel like if we ban her, she may do something stupid and go to the press. But the idea of her stepping foot into our place again makes me want to have Jessica punch her in the face.”

“Fucking donkey balls, Luke. This is why we had the rule in place. This is why we kept our dicks separate from The Rub Down.” He was angry, and I couldn’t blame him.

“I know, and I’m sorry. Obviously, when I started this with Alexa, my intent was not this shit. I plan on calling our lawyer before my first appointment. She’ll know what to do. I’ll take care of it. I’ll make it go away. Promise.”

“What a fucking mess. I thought you were going to keep it on the down low till after the race. Then you bring her to the highest publicity event in the city. Fuck, I bet pictures of the two of you are in Boston magazines.” He ran his fingers through his hair, a clear sign he was fuming. “What the fuck were you thinking?”

“Clearly I wasn’t thinking that a psycho girl would make an issue out of it. What we did isn’t illegal. It’s not even morally wrong.” I was just as furious as he was. “The gala was after her last appointment. I didn’t think. I only thought about how I love Alexa, and wanted her with me for an important night.” I ran my hands over my head and down my face. What a mess I made.

“Love? Really? Another bites the dust.” He shook his head at me like I had disgraced him. “You sucked as a wing-man anyway.” I laughed because it was true.

“I know you didn’t intend for all of this to happen. Sorry I’m pissed, but that bitch can make a lot of trouble for us.” He looked over at me, his face turning serious again as we waited to cross the street. “I know you will do everything to protect the business. Let’s call our lawyer when we get in.”

“Let’s change topics. How are things with Alexa?” Danny asked after a few minutes of silence. “I assume they’re well since your smile is so big you look like an idiot.”

And just like that, Danny dropped the Theresa issue.

“Thanks, asshole. Yes, things are great. I couldn’t be happier right now with her. She’s amazing.”

I sounded like a lovesick puppy. But I was. I was head over heels in love with her. It happened so fast, it was like I was hit over the head with a frying pan.

Alexa

It was a perfect day for running. The temperature was in the upper forties, lower fifties, with a light breeze blowing. By mile ten, I felt great. I was near the front of my heat of runners, and on pace to complete the course in a little over four hours. The crowds along the tree-lined streets cheered us on. Some held up banners, while others waved American flags.

Mile fifteen came and went as I jammed out to my training playlist. Four hours of motivating, heart thumping music were selected to keep me in the zone. Ahead of me was a steep descent from Wellesley Hills, a very wealthy neighborhood, to Newton Lower Falls. The houses that lined the course were enormous. With iron gates at the street level, they looked like estates. As I ran past them, I decided that I never wanted to live off a major road no matter how big the house. Plus, I preferred a smaller house that felt like a home, and not one that was so big it swallowed us whole. I wanted to be able to scream Luke’s name from one side of the house and him hear me in any room.

Luke and I were so new. I had no business even thinking about marriage and home ownership with him, but it put a smile on my face. The image of waking up to him every day put an extra pep in my step, which I needed because I still had over eleven miles and the four hills of Newton ahead of me.

The first hill was steep, but once I got to the top, the crowds grew bigger and their encouragement louder. Some college kids offered beer instead of water. I couldn’t believe some runners took it. If I drank a beer, I would immediately toss my cookies.

After the second hill came a small reprieve of flat ground before the infamous Heartbreak Hill. That sucker was no joke. After already running twenty miles, the last thing I wanted to do was run up a half-mile incline. What I wanted to do was fall into bed with Luke, and have him worship my body. But knowing my reward was waiting for me in six more miles, I stayed focused and pushed my body up the hill.

At the summit of Heartbreak Hill, our beloved city came into view. Runners could see the Prudential building, which was only a block from the finish line, peeking out across the terrain. When I got to the top, the memory of Luke reaching the top of Beacon Hill during our first run came to mind. I imagined he was waiting for me at Heartbreak Hill to pick me up and spin me around. Secretly hoping he didn’t listen to me, I looked around the crowd to see if he came to cheer me on before the finish line. I was a little disappointed he wasn’t there, but only had myself to blame for his absence.

At mile twenty-three, I was dead tired. My energy reserves were almost empty. Self-doubt told me there was no way I could finish. I remembered feeling the exact same way last year, but I was stronger now because I had trained harder.

I knew I could finish.

At mile twenty-four, I took a turn, and my left knee blew out. Panic tore straight through my body, as I was about to completely face plant. Thankfully, a fellow runner grabbed my arm and saved me from a horrible fall. His advice was to keep moving and put weight on my bad leg, and if I could do that, I could finish.

I was pissed as pain tore through me. Besides sore muscles, I remained injury free all through my training. My knees were never an issue. This would not stop me. Even with the hills, I was still on pace to finish in a little over four hours. Determined to make it to the end, I kept on in a crazy run/walk combination. The terrorists robbed me last year, but no one, not even myself, was going to take the finish line from me this year.

When I got closer to Mass Ave, memories of the bombings crept into my exhausted mind. The images of the blasts, the sounds of emergency vehicles, they flashed in my brain, trying to bring me down. A level of panic washed over me. My breath grew shallow. My hands were clammy. Black spots invaded my vision. I shook my head, trying to clear away the images, and Luke’s words came back to me.

Stay strong. Don’t let the bastards win. Draw strength from the survivors.

As I passed the exact spot where I stopped last year, I smiled, knowing I did it. I gave myself a fist pump, and gave the bombers a big Fuck You middle finger. The streets were crammed full of spectators screaming for their friends and family. My knee killed me, but I had just blocks to go. In my head was
The Little Engine That Could
mantra. “I think I can. I think I can.”

I. Beat. My. Fears.

Finally, at the last turn onto Boylston Street, the elusive finish line came into view straight in front of me. It was the most glorious sight ever. I was almost there. Mere steps away. I wasn’t sure my legs were still attached to my body by that point because I couldn’t feel them anymore.

When I crossed the finish line, every last drop of energy left my body. My legs refused to hold me anymore, and my main concern was eating the pavement. I had the smarts to move off to the side, so the rest of those finishing didn’t trample all over me.

Once my body hit the ground, volunteers rushed over and asked if I needed medical personnel. I waved off medical services, but took the water, snack, and a silver blanket to wrap around my body. Before the volunteer left my side, she hung a medal around my neck. I couldn’t believe I finished. That medal meant so much to me. I just wished I could have relished in my success.

Having studied common marathon injuries, I knew that if I sat too long, my knee would be an even hotter mess. I wished Luke could scoop me up in his arms, but this area was only open to runners and volunteers.

“
He would be waiting for her at the other side for her to fall into his arms.”

Reaching deep inside, I found what I needed to walk a few extra blocks to the area where Addison and Luke would be meeting me.

“He fell hopelessly in love with the princess.”

Thoughts of Luke carried my body to where I could fall into his arms.

*****

Luke

I checked the runner app all day. Alexa was having a run of a lifetime. She was on track to beat her training time, and she even rocked Heartbreak Hill. Her pace seemed to slow a bit after that, but it was to be expected. Most runners focused so heavily on making it past the horrendous hill that their energy supply was depleted after the climb.

I finished up at the spa around three, leaving Danny to man the fort the rest of the day. When I texted Addison, I found out she had an amazing spot right at the finish line only a few blocks from The Rub Down. Not wanting to leave her prime spot, she asked me to grab her a sandwich. To get such a great location, Addison must have been standing there since early in the morning.

Thousands upon thousands of people lined the streets to cheer on the runners. Some were there just to cheer on our miraculous city. I squeezed through, getting horrible looks, but I didn’t care. The girl I was hopelessly in love with would be running down the road any minute, and I needed to see her do it.

About half an hour after I got in my spot next to Addison, I finally spotted Alexa. Addison and I went crazy screaming her name. She wasn’t running. Her limp favored her left side. From a distance, I didn’t think too much about it. Blisters and sore muscles were to be expected. But as she got closer, her face told me everything I needed to know. She was truly injured. Tears streaked down her face, and her mouth set in a grimace.

“She’s hurt, Addison. We need to get over to family pickup now. I have to get to her.” I grabbed Addison and weaved through the crowd, but kept my eyes on Alexa best I could. Full panic mode hit me. My first instinct was to hop the barrier, scoop her up in my arms, and take care of her. But as much as I knew about the human body, I wasn’t a doctor. And if I jumped the fence, police would throw me to the ground and cuff me.

“Luke, slow down. You’re pulling my arm straight off my body.” I could hear the worry in Addison’s voice. “She’ll be okay. If she can finish a marathon with an injury, she has to be okay, right?”

“Alexa will be okay, but I promised I’d be there to catch her.”

As we approached a way to cross the street, Alexa collapsed on the ground and then picked herself up.

Why wasn’t anyone helping her? Why wasn’t one of the medics checking her out?

I hated how the marathon course was roped off, especially since I needed to get to my girl. Certain sidewalks were closed, a necessary evil, making it necessary to go up three blocks to cross, and then back down two to get where we wanted to go.

Finally, the family pickup entrance was in sight. My heart ached knowing Alexa was hurt. The need to take care of her was stronger than I thought possible. By the time we got through the alphabet to the W sign, Alexa had just sat down on the curb, with her head down and legs straight out ahead of her.

My strong girl looked fragile and broken.