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“Work? Like coaching? You seem pretty amazing, from what I seen,” Tyler pressed, hoping to break through Josh’s defenses.

“Thanks. It’s just… complicated.” Josh sighed, still not meeting Tyler’s gaze.

“Complicated how? Maybe talking about it might help,” Tyler encouraged gently. This had to be the library thing preying on him. He wanted to be there for Josh, just as Josh had been there for him.

“Maybe some other time,” Josh finally said, shaking his head. “Right now, let’s just focus on the run. Getting somewhere good, huh?”

“All right, but remember, I’m here for you if and when talking makes sense.” Tyler couldn’t help but wonder what the real trouble was. Maybe this library mess was worse than Nadia suspected. He’d do some digging today after Dr. Bailey.

Josh nodded, guarded gaze on the ground. “I appreciate it.”

“For that matter, we could also just hang out and take your mind off. You know? Meet up and do something that doesn’t involve running? I mean, I love this, but even meatheads can have a life off the field. Buddies. You know.” Asking it out loud made Tyler feel pitiful.

“Uh, sure. That sounds… nice,” Josh replied hesitantly, a hint of surprise in his tone.

“Cool.” Tyler beamed and pressed the advantage. “You mentioned you like hiking, right?”

“Love it.” Josh’s face brightened for a moment before he quickly hid his enthusiasm behind a neutral expression.

Something was definitely eating at him. “Perfect. We could go on a hike this weekend. Palomar, maybe. Even Mesa Grande or out in the desert. Great trails around here.” Tyler tried to sound casual, but his heart galloped at the thought of spending more time with Josh.

“Maybe,” Josh said noncommittally, looking thoughtful. “We got games all season. My schedule at this time of year is….” He didn’t finish the thought.

“Play it by ear,” Tyler reassured him. He decided to change the subject, hoping to ease some of the odd tension. What kind of school politics could there be out here in the boonies?

Josh seemed to pick up on his frustration and changed the subject. “So, I been doing a little research on cardiac rehab. Nothing nuts, but in general. Interesting, as it happens. I found some exercises that might help.” He shrugged. “Not that I’m an expert or anything, but if I can help.”

“I appreciate you taking the time.” Tyler’s heart swelled with gratitude. “It means a lot.”

“Duh. I just want you to get better, Tyler,” Josh replied softly, finally raising his guarded eyes.

“You’re the best.” No matter how many walls he had to bust through, Tyler was determined to get to the bottom of Josh’s weird funk.

Josh made a goofy face at him. “No, dummy. According to ESPN, you’re the best. The Tightest End in the USA.”

“Piss off.” Tyler changed tack. “Actually, Dr. Reynolds mentioned that I should try a Mediterranean diet. You know, lots of vegetables, grains, whole foods… that kind of stuff.”

“Seems like a good idea,” Josh agreed with a nod.

“Right? And it’s always more fun to cook for someone else,” Tyler hinted. “Maybe we could give it a whack together sometime?”

“Well….” Josh hesitated, his expression hard to read. “I don’t know about that. I’m actually a pretty rotten cook, to be honest.”

“Hey, same,” Tyler laughed, hoping to put him at ease. “But that’s part of the adventure, right? We already know we’re good at tandem training.” He indicated the track around them.

“True,” Josh said, his tone cautious and guarded. “Let me see.”

“Of course.” Tyler sighed. Something personal was eating away at Josh. Maybe it was more than the library deal. “Look… I know something’s bugging you. I’m here if you need help. Deal?”

“Thanks,” Josh murmured, offering a weak smile. “I appreciate that.”

“Anytime.” Tyler dropped it. Josh would open up when he felt ready.

The silence stretched between them, not unpleasant but definitely awkward. A vague, unspoken something hung heavy in the air over the pound of their feet hitting the track. The surrounding landscape seemed to mirror Tyler’s disappointment. The silvery green colors of the early morning now appeared clammy, and the muggy air made him wish he’d just stayed under the covers.

Oppressive unspoken tension, but Tyler kept his mouth shut. Anything he said would only make things worse, obviously. He couldn’t force Josh to open up, but it was hard not to feel frustrated by the distance between them. Even the isolation of the track, the two of them so removed from the school, the town, and their actual real lives, felt fake and impersonal.

Tyler had always hated television cameras for the same reason. Some loud flack barking questions stuck a piece of equipment in your face and you were supposed to chat with it like a friend, a fan. The team had sent him for media training and interview coaching, but staring into a lens always felt so bogus.