Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 71915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
As I headed toward the other end, I could distinctly hear my father’s voice, who only got vocal when he was excited, and it absolutely spurred me on, even though I was still behind by half a second or so in my estimation. I’d trained all month to beat my best time from high school because I was essentially competing against myself.
When I lifted my hand to the ledge, I could hear my teammates congratulating me, which made me feel even more confident about my performance. This was what it came down to, this feeling of satisfaction that trumped the grueling practice schedule, always being tired and wet, and getting water in my ears that sometimes led to infections.
I looked up at the board while I panted and tried to catch my breath. I finished third by only a tenth of a second. So close. Swimming was undeniably an individual triumph but also a team sport, so the support from the bench meant a lot.
After removing my goggles, I swiped at the water in my eyes and lifted myself out of the pool. I didn’t look in the stands, not yet, and I wasn’t sure why. It wasn’t until I reached for my towel and sat on the bench that I threw my family a brief glance. And okay, Remy too, who just so happened to be looking in my direction. I flushed hotly as I waved to my parents, who beamed with pride. Zoey too, but I knew that soon enough, she’d grow bored, and who could blame her? It would be a long day.
My next three events were spaced farther apart, and since this was a larger meet involving several schools over two days, I had more heats tomorrow, a medley followed by a relay. So I hunkered down to support my teammates while still trying to keep my muscles limber. When Bailey was on deck, I stood with the rest of the team to whoop and holler as he pushed off the wall, urging him on as he finished in second place. I was happy for him, knowing he’d done better than expected. His dad would be proud, and I knew that weighed heavily on him.
Andrew and Carter were considered our best swimmers and would race last in the relays, but I was more than curious to see how they fared in their individual categories. In college meets, the final team score mattered, and even getting second, third, or fourth place still added points to the board.
In between Bailey’s events, Mr. Duval would stand either to stretch or leave the pool area to maybe pace the halls or make a call. Who knew? He’d loosened his tie but was still wearing a suit, so maybe he was hot or just uncomfortable in general. Remy didn’t look much better and seemed relieved whenever his dad left the stands.
Zoey was playing something on her phone while she waited on my next event, much the same as the other kids in the stands. When my gaze met Mom’s, she smiled at me just as Dad reached over to peck her head. My cheeks hurt from grinning so hard. After all this time, my parents were still ridiculously in love, and lately, their outward affection made me appreciate them more, whereas in high school, it used to embarrass me. I was lucky to have them as my parents. But again, I didn’t know everything about their marriage, much like Bailey hadn’t known about his parents’—or maybe had turned a blind eye. Relationships were complicated. That was true enough.
5
Remy
I sat in the stands with Mom, watching my brother swim in his first college meet. And who was I kidding? Alex too. And not only because those small purple-and-gold swim briefs left little to the imagination. I’d been to dozens of these things and had seen him in bathing suits practically my entire life, but it wasn’t until the last few years that things had begun registering for me in a different way.
When I’d first realized I was attracted to Alex, and guys in general, it’d been during a dunking contest between us the summer before my senior year. I’d popped a boner and had to stay in the water until it passed, in fear of being discovered before having a chance to understand it myself. I’d spent the last year of high school wading through my attraction to Alex and reveling in his sneaky glances.
Damn, he was hot. No way to deny it. That body moving with purpose in the water. The training and dedication it took to make it to the college level. And now, with the two of us on our own in the world, it sucked that I could only admire him from afar.
“This is different.” Mom nudged me, bringing me out of my thoughts. “You’ve never shown up to a meet without your pencils and drawing pad.”