Her CEO Stalker and Her Second Chance Mate Chapter 119

Briar

I woke up to my alarm at 5 am, my head still rested in Lana’s lap as she groaned. I felt like dog shit. My eyes were crusty and swollen and my body ached in ways I couldn’t describe from the inside out, and my mouth and throat were as dry as the Sahara. I had a pounding headache. I sat up and rested my elbows on my knees. Last night my dreams had been a clusterfuck of carnal dreams of Carter and fear laced moments of my time with Creedon. Thankfully they hadn’t been bad enough for me to disturb Lana who eyed me now. Yep, if the beer bottles and the smell of tequila wasn’t enough to remind me that the events of yesterday really happened. I kicked off my boots and stood.

“Why are you up so early?” Lana asked groggily.

“It’s time to train," I said as I moved into the kitchen and rinsed out two glasses and filled them with water.

“Carter is a fucking slave driver, go lay down till you have to get up for work ,”she insisted.

I shook my head no.

“He’s right about this, and right now I can’t afford not to keep training. If Creedon shows up I need to be as ready as I can be, as strong as I can be. I passed her a glass and knocked back my own. I rummaged through a bag and found my sneakers. I sat on the couch as Lana drank her water as I tied my shoes.

“You shouldn’t be running in the woods alone,” she pointed out. 

I shrugged.

“I don’t have another choice.” I deadpanned before I dug around in the bag and pulled out a hoodie. It was Carter’s, the scent of him engulfed me as I stared at it and a sense of longing bubbled up inside my chest—how had that gotten there? I chucked it on the table with our mess from last night before my head could wrap around the phantom thoughts of my dreams or how much I already missed the lying bastard. Reaching back in I found one of my own and pulled it on before popping in my earbuds. Lana eyed me as I pulled my knife out of my discarded boot and shoved it in my hoodie pocket.

She groaned and got to her feet.

“I guess we are doing this then,” she said, stretching her limbs in defeat.

“What do you mean?" I asked as I stood.

“Means I’m coming with you.”

“That’s not necessary, you can’t be here all the time and if he does find his way here I don’t want you getting caught in the crossfires.” I pointed out.

Lana shrugged.

“You have to go to work. I get to go home and sleep like a lazy lion,” she said with a grin. “We will work it out one way or another, but you’re not going alone…but I’m going to complain every fucking step of the way.” she added with a grimace.

I couldn’t help but snort as I grabbed my keys and she followed me out. I locked the door behind us.

Lana was the worst running partner in history, but I realized even with all the complaints and swearing and constant monologue I was fortunate to have a friend. While I missed the comfortable, easy rhythm of Carter and my footfalls as we wound our way down the trails I found that Lana kept my mind clear of the looming thoughts of a certain sheriff. Her constant interruptions ceased my spiraling thoughts. As we made our way back to the house Lana was panting right along with me.

“Carter can go fuck himself with this training bullshit,” she gasped as she leaned against the porch rail.” 

I just shook my head unlocking the door before I stepped inside. She leaned against the doorframe watching me as I stripped off my hoodie tossing it on the back of the couch.

“You should call out today you know,” she said tentatively as she followed me to my room.

I shook my head no. Lana just sighed.

“You're stubborn,” she pointed out and I just shrugged in response. I dug through what was left in the dresser and chucked clothes onto the bed.

“I can’t sit still right now. It leaves too much time to think about things I’m not ready for.

Lana nodded as if she understood.

“What time you get off?”

Between one and two usually but I’m going to be late today,” I let her know.

“I’ll be back, just text me when you're on your way home,” she insisted and I resisted the urge to tell her not to bother. Right now I needed a friend.

Lana’s phone dinged and she glanced down at it.

“Mazzie is coming to get me,” she let me know. I made us coffee and Lana took it gratefully even though it was black. I’d have to hit the store today at some point. Mazzie pulled up a few minutes later and I locked the door after thanking Lana with a hug as I saw her out. I hit the shower after I locked the door and went to work.