The Runner

He knew Tessa was concerned about him. She knew him probably better than he knew himself most of the time, and so he was surprised to receive a text about his well being from her.  He could admit he missed his sister, that it felt weird being so out of contact with her when usually they spent too much time together.  And then it was his turn to be concerned. What had happened with her and Jonny, and why hadn’t she told him about it? She was the first person he went to after everything with Ivy, so it unsettled him to feel like she didn’t want him to know something. Still, he paid his bar tab, made a quick stop at home to change, so he didn’t show up smelling like a distillery, and made his way to her place. He even gave her the courtesy of knocking, even though he had a key. He shoved one hand into his pocket, finding the pack of cigarettes there, he let one, taking a drag as he waited for her to answer the door. @tessaxnoelle

Tessa set her glass of water down on her coffee table, pausing House Hunters before she went to the door. She rolled her eyes seeing her twin smoking through the peep hole, but still opened the door for him, dramatically coughing in a not-so-subtle hint. “Hey, Ty,” she hacked, turning to walk back to her spot on the couch.

T1: Yes seriously. You weren't home and I had time to kill.

T1: Back up. Why would Jonny need to take revenge?

T1: Whatever, I'm coming over.

T2: Oh... that sort of imploded.

T1: Did you replenish your bread? I made a sandwich when you weren't home and I ate the rest of it.

T1: I'm asking if you have food.

T1: And also if we can hang out? Let's do something.

T2: Seriously? And here I was thinking Jonny had gotten revenge by raiding my pantry

T2: Yes I have food

T1: At least I didn't *do* a line?

T1: I was hoping you weren't the dumb twin. That spots already taken.

T1: You working tonight? It's weird not seeing you in so long.

T2: True

T2: 😂🤣

T1: Sure it does.

T1: Did you get his number? If you didn't, I'm disappointed already.

T1: the only reliable source there is the last one.

T1: I'll drink a glass of water if that makes you feel better.

T2: ....

T2: Of course I did. What do you take me for?

T1: I wrote a *line*

T1: and how did that go for you? Was there good food, at least?

T1: Says who, exactly?

T2: That doesn't count

T2: Great food, good wine. The son was pretty cute too.

T1: will you believe me if I tell you writing?

T1: Gig at the Tate Estate?

T1: Tequila is for everyday, Tessa.

T2: No

T2: Playing piano for some fancy ass dinner party

T1: I've been busy?

T1: Where have *you* been?

T1: Bar near my place. But I'm fine, Tess. Really.

T2: Doing what?

T2: Mostly at the hospital, other than a gig at the Tate Estate on Friday night

T1: Am I good?

T1: It's 3 pm and im three tequila shots in so yes

T1: Technically.

T1: You?

T2: I haven't heard from you for a while and wanted to check in...

T2: Seems like it's a good thing I did

Destin nodded a bit, “A doctor?” he asked, polishing off his glass and placing it on a waiter’s tray who was walking by. He exhaled a soft laugh at her comment “They’re fifty year oldbusiness men.” he stated. “Also, the highest of society.” He teased, “Did you expect beer kegs and bongs?” he asked with a lopsided grin. “They’re excited over outbidding other businesses, that’s what this party is for” he informed her. “Although I think my mother would take any reason to flash her money around with an elaborate party”

Tessa shook her head, correcting him, “Nurse. In the ER, not very glamorous.” She took another sip from the glass and nearly choked on her laughter at his next words. “Um, no,” she said after she got herself back under control. “But I don’t think I would have been surprised if it was like that. You know, Wolf of Wall Street put a lot of ideas in people’s heads.” Joking was a fine defense mechanism for ignorance, but it was nice to hear him explain what was actually going on. “Well I can’t complain. This certainly beats playing in karaoke bars on my off days.”

Stuffing his trumpet back in its bag, Jonny couldn’t help but chuckle at her words. It was so typical for Tessa after all. “I’m afraid you’ll need to find someone else for your excercises..”, he countered with a smirk. Not that it hadn’t been fun with her but at some point he had still needed something different. Something more serious.. not that he had been very succesful with that yet but anyway… That was something she didn’t necessarily need to know. “Pretty sure there are a lot if guys who would immediately volunteer to help you with that though!”

“Damn,” Tessa sighed, laughing at herself, “It was worth a shot, right?” It wasn’t that she didn’t feel bad about what happened between them, because she did. Nearly ruined a perfectly good friendship over it, too. But it wasn’t her fault that she had commitment issues, right? At least the fallout of their arrangement had gotten her into therapy after six years. “But I’d have to train a new one and that’s even more exhausting than running.”

He smiled when she took the glass “Thatta girl” he raised his glass to hers then took a sip from it. “Destin Tate” he replied, taking her hand in his own. He glanced around the room slowly before looking down at the woman again. “I don’t believe I’ve seen you at one of these before” he mentioned, “Most of these parties are filled with my dad’s coworkers.” he exhaled a laugh.

“Nice to meet you, Mr Tate,” Tessa smiled, taking another sip from the glass in her hand. She let a soft laugh escape her at his comment before replying. “Well I’m just the background noise,” she shrugged, “I spend most of my time at Mount Sinai.” The hospital was more familiar to her than her own apartment in reality, but every once in a while she got to spend a little time with her first love and make a little music. That was what tonight was. The check she was expecting at the end of the night was just a bonus. “No offense to your dad,” she said, scanning the room herself, “But they all look pretty boring.”

Destin’s brow arched slightly, grabbing her a glass before shrugging. “It’s one glass” he stated offering it to her. He leaned in a bit, “And you don’t seem to be working right this moment” he said in a lowered voice that just barely hinted at the fact the statement was more playful than serious. “Take 5.” he shrugged. “It’s my parents’ party, no one will say anything if you’re with me” he explained, taking a sip from his glass.

Tessa accepted the glass, if somewhat tentatively. She wasn’t used to rubbing elbows with these sorts of people. A sort of adrenaline started slowly coursing through her as she took the first sip from the glass. “One glass,” she repeated, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. At least the man who had offered the wine was young and attractive, and not some creepy old geezer like the ones that hit on her in the ER. “Well if you insist, I guess it wouldn’t hurt anything.” She put out her hand to introduce herself, “Tessa Graham.”

Running when the weather was nice enough for it had always been apart of her exercise regime. It was a nice way to get fresh air and her blood flowing. It wasn’t for everyone, but she had still invited Tessa out to join her. 

They were only half a mil in when Tessa stopped, which means Imogen slowed to a stop, too. She waited for a moment, hands on her hips, staring down the other woman. She offered her a bottle of water and raised her eyebrows in amusement “you’re not going to pussy out, we have a bit more to go and then we can go get coffee, or day drink, whichever you prefer.”

Tessa took the water bottle with a groan of thanks, taking a long sip. “How much more is ‘a bit’?” Her legs were not cooperating with her anymore, and she had no idea how she was going to take one more step let alone keep running. “And coffee would be fine. I’m not sure day drinking is something that mixes well with anti-depressants.”

The friend on whose couch he was currently sleeping had his girlfriend over for the day and so Jonny had done what he always did - grabbed his trumpet and headed for the park. He could always use some money after all. He hadn’t played his music for very long though when he noticed a familiar face. “Since when are you going for a run..?!”, he asked with a grin, not able to help it but make a little fun of her as it was obvious that she was already pretty tired.

Tessa heard the voice, but it took her a moment before she could recognize it though her exhaustion. “Jonny...” she looked up at him, one corner of her mouth turned up in amusement. “I need to do something to exercise,” standing up all the way, she shrugged halfheartedly. Even as close as they were used to be, she wasn’t sure that telling him that the whole expedition was her therapist’s idea would be a good thing. “Unless you’re offering to help again,” she teased, “Believe me, running isn’t nearly as fun.”