Sophomore Year || Parenthood Series, Book One || WATTYS 2018

Chapter Fifty-Three

SOUNDTRACK: "Stay" - Many Faces

"So I'm going to talk about it on Ellen in a couple weeks," Jared said as he hiked alongside Kate in Malibu. "Robin and I talked about it."

She shrugged. "Sure. If that's what you want to do."

"I wanted to wait until you were out of school, but this will have to do," he explained. He looked over his shoulder. "Still back there, Stevie?" he called.

The guitarist grunted as he rushed to keep up. "Why are you two running?"

Jared chuckled. "We're not running. You're just being a slow fuck. Get the lead out, man!"

Kate fought back a laugh. Jared was going to make an official announcement. It was all going to be out in the open. There wouldn't be any need to hide anymore and she could finally live life without looking over her shoulder.

"Even though I'm telling everyone, I still think we need some ground rules," Jared continued, pausing near a large tree to give Stevie a chance to catch up.

"Like what?" she asked.

"Like what you can and can't post on social media," he started. "I'm not going to tell you not to post anything because that's not fair. You should be able to live your life and post what you want. But I don't think it's too outrgeous to put a ban on anything that obviously shouldn't be out there. Like projects I'm working on. And the offices. Stuff like that."

"Well, duh," she laughed. "I'm not going to post stuff you wouldn't post yourself."

"Even so, I still had to say it," he said. "It also means you'll get a lot of attention from fans. So you'll have to ignore that."

Kate shrugged. "I already am."

He smiled at her. "It sucks that people are like that. But that's how it is."

Stevie had stopped to take a picture and Jared waited impatiently. "Get a move on, Aiello! I don't want to be stuck up here after dark."

They completed a loop of the trail and went back to the car. Jared drove them to a smoothie bar where they sat outside for a while. When Stevie pointed out the photographer, Jared decided it was time to make a hasty exit, leaving Stevie and Kate to jog after him.

"That was rude," she remarked as she buckled her seat belt right before Jared nearly peeled out of the lot.

Stevie handed her strawberry-banana smoothie back before buckling himself in.

"Sorry. It's kind of a habit," Jared apologized. "If I'm not in the shot there's no need for them to photograph you. And if I ruin the shot by moving, it's worth less because it's not clear." He changed lanes. "I'll try to be more careful in the future."

"I mean, they'll know who I am in a few weeks anyways. So what's the point in trying to hide that you're with me?" she asked around her straw.

~~~

Kate saw Shannon's headlights flash as she jogged across the Winterlake parking lot toward his SUV. It was her first practice with Santa Clarita and she didn't want to be late. He started the engine as she slammed the passenger door shut and tossed her soccer bag into the back seat.

"Thanks for driving me," she said, buckling in.

He nodded. "Well, Jared wouldn't let you drive yourself, so you have to get there somehow," he smiled. He maneuvered around a parked car. "How was your day?"