Chapter 9
Jeremy forced himself out of bed. He felt horrible. It took him nearly fifteen minutes to go from the sheets to the back patio of the mansion. Avon was already there and waiting.
"My dear, Captain Hanson," Avon snickered. "Are you okay?"
"No," Jeremy snarled. "I feel like there is a bass drum being beaten by a madman inside my head."
"How much did you drink yesterday?"
"There was the wine at lunch, then yesterday afternoon with Iramy, then at dinner and we split a bottle while watching the movie."
"Sounds like at least two bottles," Avon laughed.
"I didn't feel buzzed," Jeremy groaned. "I guess it all hit in the middle of the night."
"You're dehydrated," Avon chuckled. "You probably drank nothing but wine all day and didn't drink the recommended two pints of water before going to bed."
"Yes and yes."
"That's how I felt all last week," Avon stated, still laughing. "Headache, cramps, bloating, tenderness."
"I only have the headache," Jeremy snapped. "I'm not PMS'ing.
"Well, drink up Captain Hanson," Avon chuckled as she tossed him a bottle of water. "And then we run. Full packs remember."
"You're loving this aren't you?"
"Just a little," she giggled. "I can't wait to see how far we get before you puke your guts out. I might even make it further than you today. Wow, I get to win again."
Jeremy tried to buck up as Avon threw down the gantlet. He failed. He opened another pint of water and sucked it down. "I have some pain meds if you'd like," Avon stated sarcastically.
"I'm not taking your girlie pills."
"They're normal pain killers. They are not gender specific."
"I'll be fine. Let's go."
Avon pulled her pack onto her shoulders and started towards the front of the mansion. "Come on Captain Hanson!"
Jeremy shouldered his pack and took off after her. "I had planned on a slower pace today since you have a full pack," he reminded Avon.
"Oh no," Avon chuckled. "We need to pick up the pace. I promised Daddy I would train harder and besides, I bet you fall out before I do."
"You like kicking me while I'm down, don't you?"
"I've never seen you down; you never yield."
"And I don't plan on giving up today either."
Avon laughed and picked up the pace a little. She loved being the one setting the pace instead of Jeremy. She was actually enjoying the run despite a week off from running and even with the full pack. She was having fun and once again it was at Jeremy's expense. She knew he would retaliate tomorrow, but she didn't care. The thought of him falling out and surrendering had rejuvenated her resolve. She was ready to win.
At the end of three miles, Avon was tired and in pain but she was in much better shape than Jeremy. He was sweating like a forty-year-old man with an overly round midsection. Avon smiled as he pulled another bottle of water out of his pack and poured in down his open gullet. Seeing the grin of satisfaction on Avon's face, Jeremy grumbled. Standing upright, he took a deep breath. Suddenly he ran to the side of the road.
Avon turned away hearing Jeremy regurgitate the water. "Damn," Avon grimaced. "You really are a lightweight when it comes to alcohol."
"Sorry," Jeremy whined as he wiped his lips with the sleeve of his shirt. "I wasn't weaned on wine like you were. We were lucky to have clean water to drink. So stop gloating."
"If you were looking in my direction," Avon started. "You'd notice I'm not gloating. That was disgusting. I really didn't think you were that bad off."
"So I guess you win again."
"Let's call this one a draw," Avon stated as a compromise. "I'm about to drop myself. I did push it a bit too hard. What do you say we walk back?"
"Agreed," Jeremy sighed. "I need to drink about a gallon of water."
"And you need to eat."
Jeremy started gagging again. "Oh hell no!"
"Oh hell yes!" Avon countered. "You need some fat and grease to soak up the remaining alcohol in your system. And you're going to need something for the headache. You look like shit."
"You don't exactly look like you ready to go to a ball."
"True but at least my skin isn't green."