Don't You Remember? (HSMTMTS Sequel to Meeting Me Halfway)

Chapter 14. |Jog|

Ricky Bowen
"Okay okay, so what Peyton?" I fake scoff, "Oscar likes you more while I'm the one that lives with him." We had decided to play a game of who Oscar would go to first and well...Peyton has been winning. She giggles and picks up the small dog.

"Yeah okay, but nothing new." She grins. "I'm a likable person."

I roll my eyes and fix my apron while I chuckle. I go behind the counter and check everything just out of habit.

"What are you looking for?" Peyton questions, putting Oscar on the counter.

"Erm..Nothing. Just making sure everything's here." I shut the register and pet Oscar as he lays down. "It's a slow day today, no?"

"Very." She leans on the counter and watches the flowers inside. "Nice day today, isn't it?"

"Very." I mimic. "I mean..with the slow day, do you want to go on a walk?"

"What?"

"Want to take Oscar on a walk?" I smile. "Slow day...no people? It'll be quick and we'll be back quickly."

She bites the inside of her check and suddenly pulls her hair back into a pony tail. "Mkay. But, I don't walk."

"You Don't walk?" I raise a brow.

"I don't walk. I run, so I hope you have running shoes on." She looks at me and wiggles her eyebrows.

I look down at my air forces and chuckle. "I wouldn't say that I do, but I do have them in the back. I'll be right back."

"I'll be waiting. I'll get Oscar set."

*Flashback*
"Ricky, are you serious? Come on, Athena is beating you!" Nini giggles as she pulls Athena up into her arms.

"No 4 year old should be so fast!" I pant, hands on my knees as the sun intrudes onto my face. I hadn't worked out in a hot minute as I was busy with school and Athena, but man oh man do I regret saying yes to jogging with Nini.

I fix my back and walk over to them with a fake annoyed face. "I refret. Nini babe, you won. Whatever."

She snorts and bounces Athena in her arms. "Well..because dad gave up, doesn't mean you have to. Remember that thena." She says, grinning.

I scoff. "Okay true." I take Athena from Nini and kiss her forehead. "Promise you wont though?"

She nods and smiles, leaning into my shoulder. "Tired." She simply states.

I snort and give a glance at Nini. I raise a brow at her, making her look away for a quick second and sigh. She takes out her phone and checks the time before ALS signing me "Little more. I want a little more time with her this morning."

I nod, and rest my head on Athena's. Me and Nini took up ALS for a friend and it's been great with just communicating when we can't.

"Mm..walk for just a little bit more." I say, quietly, trying not to make it obvious that we just told her to not give up, but these are the small things. "Then we can go to campus and get you a smoothie from the cafe."

"Really?" She puts her head up.

"Mhm. Just a little more though, okay?"

"Okay. Yeah, okay!"

I put her down and let her take Nini's hand. It didn't hit me till like a second later that we are going ,and still are, on a run.

~

It's the 5th time? I think I've went on a run with Nini, but this time it's just us 2. We both didn't have work today so we just dropped Athena off at school and rested before deciding it was best to go again.

I wish I'd gone on more and had less time with work and school. Nini has less so she can do more at home and have extra time,but then that means she's alone. When she would get home from work, it'd be late and I wouldn't be home, meaning she would go for jogs alone.

The thing was, was that she was scared. I didn't know that until I saw her come home from a jog. Dressed in a hoodie, hat and sweatpants in 70 degree weather, pepper spray in hand, phone with 911 already dialed and ready, and a device in her pocket that can easily blind and deafen anyone. My heart sunk knowing she had to carry all of that.

But when I'm with her, she doesn't carry any of that. That's why I've been going with her more. Make her feel stress feel but what the fuck? She should have the right to go out and breathe without being feared.

"Ricky?" Nini questions, causing me to snap out of my thoughts.

"Hm?"

"Babe, you're falling behind. Come on." She holds out a hand behind her, telling me to take it, which I do. I catch up and pace beside her, taking an earbud out.

I sniffle a little as my eyes water from my small but heavy thought. Nini notices, causing her to almost stop running.

"You okay?" She questions, eyebrows creased. "Allergies or something?"

She puts her hand on my chest and takes out both her headphones. I grin. "All good. Yeah probably just allergies or something like that."

"Mm," she hums, agreeing. She slides her hand up on my chest and cups my face. "You look really beautiful today, have I told you that yet?"

Her words shock me. Me? Beautiful? I actually don't think I've ever been called beautiful.

"Yeah?" I question, swallowing. She snorts and kisses my cheek.

"Very. You are a very beautiful man." She laughs, causing me to smile and put her hands on her waist.

I like that. Being called beautiful. I really hope she calls me that more. It's a real energy booster. She's just a real energy booster. She my energy booster.

"And.." she stands on her tippy toes and kisses my neck, "since Athena isn't home yet..how about you join me in the shower later?"

A smirk stretches my face as she pulls away.  My hands drift downwards, causing her to merely flinch and pull away from my hold.

"Well.." she grins, "now it's only gonna happen if you beat me back to the apartment."

I groan and put my hands on my hips.

"Seriously? A whol-" before I can finish my words, she tightens her ponytail and puts her headphones back in, dashing out of in front of me. "Oh shit, yup a whole race, got it."

***

"Alrighty, got them." I say, walking out of the office. "Ready?"

"Yup..."

I look up. "oh do we have a costumer?"

"No," Peyton laughs, "this is my girlfriend. Jes, baby, why didn't you tell me you were coming?"

That...I did not know about.

I really am sorry about the cliffhangers and the long update times. I hope to get better with my schedule!

Enjoy Your Day or Night!
-CR❤️