Someone's bound to get burned

‘’Okay, I’m done. I’m done for today’’ said Chloé, slowing down to a walk pace.
-You sure? said Jonathan, matching his pace with hers.
-Well, it might be a big surprise to you, but 60 minutes of jogging is a great workout for us, normal people, said Chloé, laughing.
-Don’t say that. You are in an awesome shape; you barely look out of breath.
-It is still more than enough for today, responded Chloé, smiling.
-And...?
-Okay, okay. I see a hotdog stand over there and I am STARVING.

Jonathan laughed as his friend walked to the stand and ordered two hotdogs. Removing his cap and running his finger through his sweaty hair, he winced a little under the light of the Sunday’s sun. His was putting his cap back on when he heard laughs coming from the stand nearby, where Chloé was joking with the old men who was putting together their snacks. She was what they call a natural, eager to talk and joke with anyone who approached her. The old men was telling her that she wasn’t a sight for sore eyes and that the pretty runner girls were usually go for the smoothies stand half a mile down the path. Oh, but what is the point to run for a hour if you are going to pass on those delicacies? from Chloé had the man laughing even more as Chloé headed back to Jonathan with two hotdogs and two bottles of water.

They sat on a bench facing Lake Michigan, enjoying the view, the sun, the breeze and their hotdogs in silence. ‘’Thank you for taking me out for a run, said Jonathan, breaking the silence. It felt great to do something out of a gym. And thanks for the hotdog too.’’

-You’re welcome; it was fun, said Chloé, wiping ketchup from her lips. It must be different than training with your boys and all this testosterone. And the hotdog is a bonus gift for keeping a easy running pace so I can keep up with you, smiling at him with a meaningful look on her face.

-It wasn’t that easy! Sixty minutes just seem like... forever. I’m used to sprinting, not running forever without a purpose, joked Jonny.

-You had a purpose, said Chloé, pointing at the hotdog in his hand. You just did not knew it yet.

They talked and laughed for a while, sitting on the bench, as people passed by. A few of them stopped and asked to sign something for them, or took a picture of the standing with the tall hockey player by their side. A man did ask them if Chloé was his girlfriend; Jonathan quickly shook his hand and denied the situation, proclaiming the girl as his friend. Chloé stand there and took their picture with the stranger’s phone, smiling a fake smile. Jonathan was quick to deny whatsoever kind of relationship with her to this man. Come on, you can’t blame the guy being all ‘’Her? No, God no, we’re just friend’’, thought Chloé, as she focused on the screen of the Iphone she was holding, getting the two men in the frame. He had showed her picture of his girl, Amanda. She was gorgeous. Blond, tan, skinny yet busty. Of course he was describing her sweaty and ‘’one of the boy’’ self as just friend. She knew all that, and she knew it from the start. Get your shit together, girl.

***

Jonathan was trying to get composure as he looked at Chloé handing back the phone to the man standing next to him, making sure he was happy with the picture. He was so eager to explain that this nice, athletic tall girl hanging out with her was not his girlfriend that it almost seemed like he was trying to hide something. He wasn’t trying to hide something. Was he? There were just friends. He hadn’t talk about Chloé to Amanda yet, though. His girlfriend was always a bit concerned with girls trying to get a hold on him; she was always scared a fan would take things to far at some point. But Chloé wasn’t a fan. They were just friend. Repeating that a lot was making him feel like he wasn’t doing anything wrong. And he really wasn’t doing anything wrong. They were just hanging out. Oh god, I hoped no picture will come on out Facebook. Amanda would be out of this world.

There was no ambiguity between them; she knew he had a girlfriend, he showed her picture. They’d been texting and meeting up for a burger and beer over lunch time a few times. Things were just flowing so smoothly between them. She was easy-going, funny and new to town. He knew how this felt, being by yourself in a town you know nothing about, and most of all, no one. The girl needed friends, and that’s what he was.

He knew that the initial good deed aspect of their relationship had turn into something else though. Hanging with her was fun and they quickly became friends. They loved the Windy City, but they both missed Canada and loved talking about their home-country. Checking up on her and asking him what the best spot in town for sport gear turned into random chats about... everything. He was from Winnipeg; she was from Montréal but had grown up in Nova Scotia. He has been dating Amanda for the past 18 months; she’d been single for 5 months after a bad breakup and decided to move to Chicago in need of fresh air. He loved steaks, she loved and missed poutine, he was really close to his teammates and she was constantly running out of excuses not to go clubbing with one of her co-worker who was persistent on getting her out in town.

‘’Hey, are you doing anything next Saturday?’’ asked Jonathan as they were chatting, walking back to his car.

-Probably trying to convince Kara all day long that I really don’t need to try out this new club downtown, said Chloé, shaking her head. She’s really on a mission to get me out there right now. Why?

-Well, we have a Sunday afternoon game next week and we were having a family skate/team party Saturday.

-Oh. Sounds cool. What was he asking?

-We have a few single guys on the team and they really get all ‘’sad puppy face’’ when they have to deal all alone with the couples and family. Plus you’d get to meet Amanda in a casual relax way and all this wouldn’t be so awkward anymore.

-How do you all dare getting all lovey-dovey in front of those poor little things? Joked Chloé. He’s setting me up with someone. Make more sense.

-I thought I could present you someone. He’s a good guy. Being all young and constantly surrounded by guys, he needs a woman with balls.

Choé gave him a look. ‘’With balls? You do know how to talk to women, dude’’

-You know what I mean, He’s fun, you’re fun... and that’d be cool if you would come. Will skate, we’ll throw some pucks... The guys will be happy to see you, smiled Jonathan.

-If they ever recognize me without all the bandaids.

-Is that a yes?

-If that keeps me out of the new club Kara wants to drag me too... well. What the heck. Why not?

- It is a date then! Well, for you and ... the guy. Shit. Hadn't thought about who I'd match her with. Think fast, dude.

- Why so mysterious? wondered Chloé, confused.

- So you don't look him up online. You know... where's the fun of a blind date when you can read everything about the guy before you met him? You'd clearly get an advantage over him. That was close. Good one, dude, good one, thought Jonathan as he opened her the door of his USV.

- Jonny the matchmaker. You play hockey, you can run, you find your buddies dates... Is there anything you can't do?

- Yes. I can't seperate white from egg yolks.

- Really? That is your big flaw?

- Yes.

- Well, I'm glad you admitted it. I feel so much closer to you now, said Chloé in a dramatic voice. I swear I won't tell anyone.

- You better be. I'd have to kill you, responded Jonathan, smiling, before closing the front passenger door.





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Notes

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