Marathon

3

Chapter 3

*Carlin's POV*

I woke up to the sun shining through my window. I rolled out of bed and tied my hair up into a messy bun before walking downstairs in my dark blue Red Sox fleece pullover and red Nike shorts. As I walked into the kitchen, there was a familiar face sitting at the counter, on his phone. 

"Oh, I'm sorry!" He jumped and I laughed, shaking my head. 

"You're fine!" I smiled, walking to the fridge, grabbing a bottle of water. 

"I can leave if you want me too! Usually Lakyn's never up this early and Brock, well, he's slow in the morning!" He gulped and I shook my head. 

"You're fine!" I laughed slightly, taking a sip of water. "How did you and Brock become so close anyways?" I smiled softly, placing the bottle on the counter. 

"Flow Bros!" Brock smirked, walking into the kitchen. "Why the hell are you awake? Shouldn't you sleep until noon? You're 22 years old!" He grabbed an apple, staring at me.

"I couldn't sleep too well!" I shrugged and he nodded. 

"Well, Andrew and I have a game today, 2 at Fenway, will you be there?" He smirked and I laughed, nodding my head. 

"I'm positive I'll get dragged out to see it!" I smiled and he clapped. 

"Perfect!" He smiled. "I have to go get changed, freshen up, and then we'll head out, okay?" He looked at Andrew and he laughed, nodding his head. 

"Yes dad!" He smirked and Brock rolled his eyes. "Carlin, keep the kid company while I'm gone!" He yelled quietly before running up the stairs. 

"So, are you from Boston, living the dream of being a Red Sox player?" I crossed my arms and he laughed, shaking his head. 

"Reds fan growing up! I grew up right outside of Cincinnati!" He smiled brightly and my jaw dropped. 

"No way!" I laughed, shaking my head. "I lived in Cincinnati for the last 5 or so years! It's so beautiful out there!" I smiled and he nodded. 

"It really is!" He chuckled, shaking his head. "What brings you out here to Boston?" He gulped nervously and I laughed slightly, shaking my head. 

"You don't have to pretend like Brock didn't tell you!" I smiled and his face turned red. "I lost my husband back in December overseas..." I sighed and he looked up at me. 

"I'm so sorry!" He gulped and I shrugged. 

"Everything happens for a reason! In the moment I was mad and upset and hurt and frustrated but now when I look back at it, I realize that, maybe it happened for a reason! Maybe Griffin wanted me to do something for myself! Maybe he wanted me to know what it's like to trust other people besides him!" I sighed and Andrew nodded. 

"I bet he was an amazing man!" He smiled and I looked down at the table. 

"He was just as amazing as every other man!" I gulped taking a sip of water. "How about you? Anyone special in your life?" 

"Not besides my family! Mom, dad, 2 sisters and myself!" He shrugged. 

"It's alright, love's not all it's made out to be!" I sighed, looking up at him. 

"What are you doing tonight?" He jumped and I laughed slightly shaking my head.

"I don't know if I'm ready to-"

"It's not a date, it's just dinner! Dinner to show you around Boston and get to know my best friend's sister in law!" He smiled brightly. 

"Just dinner?" I gulped and he nodded. 

"Just dinner and maybe a walk around the town! That's it! Just dinner between two potential friends!" His eyes were bright making me laugh. 

"As long as it's just dinner, and maybe a walk!" I smiled and his face lit up. 

"Perfect!" He smiled as Brock walked into the kitchen. 

"What?" Brock mumbled, looking at us both with a confused look. 

"Nothing! Nothing at all!" Andrew smirked. 

"Carl?" Brock looked at me and I shook my head. 

"It's nothing!" I smiled. 

"What ever! You two are weird!" He sighed, grabbing his bag. "Andrew, let's go! Carlin, tell Lakyn I say good morning and that I love her!" He huffed and I nodded. 

"Yes sir!" I smirked. 

"See you later right?" Brock looked at me and I nodded. 

"I'll see you later!" I laughed and Andrew smiled brightly at me as they walked out.