Page 25 (1/1)

"What do you think would be best to wear to a Slightly Stoopid concert? This is Nellie’s second atte for it Last ti She’s kind of worried about looking out of place" Roni looked up at theain, and Abel couldn’t be sure, but it al hienerally not the dressy kind, right?"

"I’ve only been there a couple of ti up "Both tiuys were dressed just the same Of course, the ones there to pick up dress a little spiffier But concert or not, girls typically dress up a littleat Abel curiously Done helping Jack with this pants, she shrugged and stood up too "I suppose you could dress up anything, even a pair of jeans if you wear the right shoes and top I’ve never been to the House of Blues," she said as she walked away into the kitchen, holding Jack’s hand "Maybe someday someone will takeup Jack and sitting hih chair

"Next time, for sure," Noah said "I’ll look into it, and next concert we’ll go with her"

It didn’t even dawn on Abel until he and Noah were headed out the door Roni wasn’t going to the concert with Nellie He was anxious to ask Noah about it but knew his interest would spark suspicion Noah would no doubt start up with one of his perturbing lectures about why getting involved with Nellie in any way right noas a bad idea, so he refrained

They headed out to Griffith Park, where they usually ran a good four to fivetwice that since they orking on Abel’s endurance Noah filled hi Abel an excellent excuse to get back to Nellie and her concert Friday "So that ht with the director of PR," he said, avoiding eye contact with Noah so his question would sound as natural as possible "I guess Nellie won’t onna be at a concert Friday night"

"That’s right," Noah turned to hi was Friday night Hmm" Noah was quiet for aelse, I could probably get Roni to see if Nellie could skip out on her plans or postpone them, but I know she won’t for this"

Now Abel turned to hi out any attempt to not appear too interested in Nellie’s plans "Why’s that?"

Noah shrugged "I guess it’s because it’s Nellie’s first real date in a while Roni’s all excited for her"

Abel gripped the steering wheel, re how nonchalant Nellie had been back, when she’d , but after the incredible tih to concentrate on anything else right now ements to spend any of his free ti he’d already beenrooain And she was going on a date--a first real date? What the hell did that even ically, he knew he shouldn’t be upset He’d agreed he’d be "game" to this, and at the ti--neither had a right to be upset or ask questions about each other’s personal lives But he’d been certain this trip had been a gaer He was more than upset, damn it He was pissed

He was afraid to speak for fear that even one word out of his nation so toxic that Noah would be all over it He parked and got out of his car without saying another word: not about Nellie, not about his training, and not about thedate All he wanted to do was run--run the annoying and unreasonable thoughts right out of his head Visions of her doing what she had been doing with hihout the entire galling run

"You okay?" Noah asked as their run finally ca of his water, still unwilling to speak Catching his breath after drinking his water, he nodded

"You didn’t overdo it, did you?" Noah’s broere pinched, his eyes full of concern "Soo was crushed But hurt was ht That’s all

"Another date," Noah frowned "I’onna have to cut down on the late nights or all-nighters anyway This fight is no joke, and your body needs all the ti now"

They started back toward Abel’s car, the irritation still weighing heavy "I’ll be fine"

Out of nowhere, Noah chuckled "Roni was a little pissed at you the other night I was actually worried sheit up today"

Abel turned to him, his forehead pinched now "Pissed at ht after you got back from San Francisco, and when she confirmed with Nellie that Frisco wasn’t all business, she was hot"

"Nellie was?" Abel asked, feeling hopeful