Page 3 of Catching the Captain

I smile at Stella. “I’m set, thanks.” And then I glance at my mom. “I took an Uber here because I wanted to run back home.”

“That explains your shorts and tank top,” Valentina adds, her tone sounding extra judgemental.

I glance at her dress and pearls from under raised eyebrows. “Yeah, it does. But how much sense does it really make to get dressed up just to hang out with family?” I leave the room with a smile curving my lips. It’s not often I score a win against my oldest sister. It may not have been much, but I’m feeling proud of the parting shot I delivered.

Once I’m outside, I find my dad in the garage with my brother-in-law, Leonard.

“I’m leaving, Dad.”

He opens his arms for a hug and I step into them. “When will we see you again?” he asks.

Stepping backward, I brush a wisp of hair back from my face. “I’m not sure. You know where I am if you need me.”

“Do you need a ride?”

“No, thanks. I didn’t get my run in this morning, so…” I tip my head toward the road before glancing at my brother in law. “Bye, Leonard.”

“Bye, Aurora.”

Although he’s a man of few words, he’s always kind. But in his defense, being married to Valentina doesn’t allow him the opportunity to say much.

I start down the sidewalk at a pace I’ll be able to maintain for the four miles to my apartment. My feet meet the pavement at a steady tempo as I focus on getting my breathing on rhythm. I inhale for three steps and exhale for two. The buns that were so painstakingly crafted by my niece wiggle on top of my head.

I’m almost three miles in when I’m forced to run on a main road. There’s no other route that will take me to my apartment.

Stopping at a crosswalk, I jog in place to keep my heart rate elevated. When the signal turns in my favor, I run across the street. I’m only a handful of feet from the other sidewalk when a car takes the right turn, ignoring the red light. With the front of a vehicle heading straight at me, I dive for the sidewalk and barely avoid being run over. My entire right side slams into the pavement, the jarring impact raking my skin from shoulder to ankle. Pain engulfs me, making me nauseous and lightheaded. Fuck. I think I’m going to pass out.

CHAPTER2

KAIDEN

I’m aboutto enter the corner store when I see a car turn on red as a pedestrian is crossing the street. I’m too far away to make it to her in time, and fortunately, she notices the vehicle before it’s too late. Diving out of the way, she averts being run over but lands on the pavement with bone-rattling force. Turning, I hurry over to where she’s lying on the edge of the road.

She groans. “Fuck!”

“Are you okay?” I ask.

“I think so,” she replies, pushing herself to a seated position. “It doesn’t seem like anything’s broken.” She looks at her right arm and leg and a gasp slips from her. “No wonder why it feels like my skin’s on fire,” she says, sounding like she’s trying not to cry.

It looks like someone repeatedly dragged a cheese grater over patches of her skin until she was a bloody mess.

“Oh my God.” She blows air on her scraped-up shoulder, trying to soothe the burning.

“Why don’t we get you to your feet and onto the sidewalk,” I suggest.

She nods. “Okay.”

I move in front of her. “I’ll help you stand.” She takes hold of my extended hands and I pull her to her feet. I catch the wince flashing across her face. “Hang on to me and walk to the sidewalk.” I back up while she moves forward. “Good. How do you feel now?”

Raising each knee, she marches in place a few times. Her large eyes connect with mine. “A little better.” She pulls her hands from mine.

This is the first time I’ve gotten a clear look at her face. She looks familiar, but I can’t figure out how I’d know her.

Her arched brows dip inward as she studies me and then pop upward as if she’s surprised. “Kaiden Hart?”

I nod. “Yeah.” I’m still struggling to place her face.

“It’s me, Rori.”