Counting Paths

Chapter 17.

Sterling

"That's-" Russell slams his large hand on the freezer door, shutting it before I could open it all the way "-enough!"

"One more cup of ice cream!" I pout.

"No. You've already had two."

"And three's my lucky number!"

"I said no." He plucks my forehead.

"Ow!" I hiss, rubbing my now-redden forehead with two fingers. I glare at him but he only smiles. "Why won't you let me stress eat in peace?"

"Because you already ate. Look." He takes the cup with a spoon in it, both covered in Oreo ice cream, and places it aside on the counter. "If you're feeling better, I think I know something that will help you release some stress. Trust me?"

I feel my heart rate flutter. Russell reminds me of my brother, I mean, they're not exactly alike-clearly, but he gives me the same warm feeling my brother did. And I think Russell senses it too.

I smile and pluck the side of his chest. "I trust you."

He winces. "Why my chest? You hit my nipple."

"Because I don't want to get a ladder. Did you forget how tall you were?"

He chuckles. "Come on."

Half an hour later, the living room and the main corridor of the first floor are littered with a homemade obstacle course. Oh, and the "home office" that Roland never uses on the second floor. It's the finish line. I'm so excited to play, and it's not because the winner gets the last of the Oreo ice cream. I'm excited because it's not some lame-ass homemade obstacle course.

"Ready?" Russell asks, cracking his knuckles.

I roll my eyes. "Hell yeah."

We lean down into running starter positions. He starts counting down. "Three...two...one!"

We take off like rockets.

We run around the couch three times, which gives me an advantage because of the sharp turns that slow down Russell with his long legs. Then I bolt out of the living room, taking the lead in the race, but I wasn't expecting the abrupt turn and I'm running so fast, I crash into the wall and collapse to the floor.

"And you had me worry for a sec!" He taunts as he runs out of the living room and down the hall.

"You should be!" I manage to get to my feet, almost falling on my face, and race after him.

He jumps over the table that's blocking the hallway, then turns around and jumps on the table. He reaches up and grabs a tie from the spinning ceiling fan. I slide under the large plank of wood with four legs just as he jumps off. I curse. He's too far ahead.

But it won't stop me.

I jump on the table. It takes me three tries and almost twisting my ankle, but I eventually grab a tie from the fan. I wrap it around my head as I jump on the floor.

I run down the hall.

Then I slide into the nest of pillows that's already been destroyed by Russell, and I jump to my feet. Russell was halfway done building his three feet tower of red plastic cups but my wild approach knocked half of it down. He curses and claims I'm cheating, and we burst into laughter...

With steady yet fast hands, I finish first. I jump over the tower of cups and continue down the hall where a couple of rolls of toilet paper wait. I reach them, grab my roll, and begin wrapping my knees.