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Chapter Four

JOSH ARRIVED at the school in his running gear feeling almost eager. He unlocked his office door, grabbed a towel and water bottle, and then made his way down to the track before the sun had even begun its climb.

As he walked, Josh couldn’t help but give in to a flutter of excitement under his ribs. For the past week, these quiet morning runs with Tyler had become the highlight of his day, even though they still hadn’t actually spoken. He longed to break the ice and get to know Tyler a little, but caution and gut instinct held him back, reminding him of the shy, awkward teenager he used to be.

Once on the track, Josh began his warm-up routine, stretching his muscles as his eyes flicked toward the parking lot every few moments. He was delaying, waiting for Tyler’s arrival, unable to shake the concern that he should have arrived by now. Finally Josh spotted Nadia’s car pulling into the lot and felt a wave of relief wash over him.

As Tyler exited the car and headed toward the track, Josh noticed something amiss. Tyler’s muscular mass and imposing presence were undeniable, even after a couple months out of the game, but he moved stiffly; instead of stretching properly, he seemed to be halfheartedly going through the motions, as if he was distracted or perhaps rushing through the warm-up. Yikes.

Josh wanted to call out to him, to nudge him to take better care of himself, but he hesitated. Would Tyler appreciate the advice or see it as an unwelcome intrusion? Who was he, after all? Some stranger that Tyler had never noticed in fifteen years.

That wimpy uncertainty held him back, and he continued stretching in silence, watching Tyler from the corner of his eye.

As Josh finished stretching and prepared to begin his run, he couldn’t help but steal one more glance at Tyler. His concern for Tyler’s well-being was genuine, and he wished he had the courage to offer some guidance to help his recovery. They just weren’t friends like that. As best as he could remember, despite spending at least two years in high school together, they’d never spoken twenty words to each other in the course of their lives.

Ugh. Being a kid was awful.

For now, all he could do was watch and hope that a couple of friendly nods and this strange morning ritual of running in silence at sunrise might someday give him the courage to be the friend and support Tyler seemed to need so badly right now.

As they started their run, Josh felt the familiar rhythm of their feet hitting the track. The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon, casting a soft, pale glow over the stands and the trees beyond. The air was still, and the only sounds were their steady breaths and the gentle thud of their footsteps. They had fallen into this routine almost effortlessly, and even without interacting much, Josh found comfort in Tyler’s presence.

Despite their vastly different backgrounds—Josh the high school nerd turned coach and Tyler the celebrated NFL quarterback—this small hometown track had forged an unspoken bond that made these early mornings feel like a sanctuary, free of judgment or expectations.

On their third lap, several minutes into their run, Tyler suddenly twisted in pain, dramatically struggling to catch his breath. Panic flashed across his face as he clutched his side and went down hard, and Josh’s heart lurched in response.

In that moment, all his reservations fell away—his concern for Tyler overrode any lingering awkwardness or fear of rejection.

“Tyler!” Josh called out, cutting across the field to rush to his side. “Are you okay? What’s wrong?”

Tyler tried to straighten but winced at the effort. “Stupid heart… and cramp, I think. Thanks, Josh.”

“Wow, you remember me?” Josh grinned, genuinely surprised and pleased. “I didn’t think anyone would, especially not someone like you.”

“Someone like me?” Tyler raised an eyebrow. “A beat-up meathead living at his sister’s who struggles to get out of bed every morning?”

“You know.” Josh shrugged, a teasing smile playing on his lips. “A big-shot celebrity football superstar. Captain Fantastic.”

Tyler laughed, and the tension between them melted. “Well, at the moment, I’m just some dude trying to get his life back together. And running.”

“Looks like home isn’t always a bad idea,” Josh mused. “Maybe there’s something to this small-town peace-and-quiet nonsense.”

Tyler shook his huge hands. “My head feels so weird. Blurry.”

“Here, let me help.” Josh moved closer and placed a supportive hand on Tyler’s back. The guy’s pupils were enormous, and he looked gray under a sheen of perspiration. “Have you been hydrating properly?”

“Probably not,” Tyler admitted with a frown. He blanched like he was breathing through serious discomfort.

“I’m betting blood sugar and potassium are both low. And did you stretch enough before we started?”

“Huh-uh. Not really.” Tyler’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. He pressed a fist to his side with a scowl. “I know, I know. I never really bothered with that crap before. I’ve never needed—” Tyler offered him a tentative smile that got him too flustered to cover.

“It’s okay. We all have to learn sometime.” Josh gave him a reassuring head bob. “Just take a few deep breaths and try to relax your muscles.”

As Tyler followed Josh’s instructions, his breathing began to slow and even out. “Thanks, man,” Tyler said softly. “I really appreciate this.”

“Of course,” Josh replied, feeling an unfamiliar warmth spread through him. For the first time, he felt a real connection with Tyler—not the fantasy but the man, flaws and all.

“Let me check your pulse,” Josh suggested. Gently, he pressed his fingertips against Tyler’s wrist, feeling the strong rhythm beneath his skin. “It seems fast, but not too bad considering. Just keep breathing deeply and let’s get you moving a little and some water. Your muscles are going to hurt worse if they cramp. You should be eating a banana every morning and night for the potassium. Good sugar for the run too.”