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)
He flushed from the tips of his ears down to his throat. It was fun keeping him on his toes too.
“Regardless, the feeling would not be mutual—I mean, with Jordan. In case you were curious.” I was definitely curious. My stomach uncoiled. “Not to mention, it would be a total disaster being on the same team.”
I winced. “I see what you mean. I’d rather not be involved in anything messy.”
“Yeah, same.” He looked down at our thighs before putting space between us. Ouch. But yeah, this—whatever this was beyond flirting—could get messy too.
The bell above the door jingled, and in walked my next customer. Perfect timing, I supposed.
“I’ll be right with you.”
We stood in unison, and Alex turned toward me. “Thanks again. I’ll think on it more.”
“Sounds good, Carl.”
He blinked in confusion before his mouth split into a dazzling smile, and I’d admit it was mesmerizing.
Alex had always been my brother’s sweet and cute best friend, but the idea of striking up a friendship of our own was enticing. It was innocent enough, as long as we kept our hands to ourselves.
At this rate, it might be easier said than done.
8
Alex
The following Saturday, I met Jordan and a couple of others, including Steve, the president of the LGBTQ club, at Bean Necessities, the coffee shop near campus. After a jolt of caffeine, we walked the few blocks to the teen center. It was a freebie weekend for us from swim meets and practice. Some of our teammates would undoubtedly show up at the aquatics facility to at least lift weights or get time in the pool. But Coach warned us that not letting your body rest every now and again was a bad idea. That was how injuries happened, and it was never a good idea to push yourself. Today I would’ve liked to sleep in like Bailey was doing, but this was important.
We’d gone out last night to the taco stand on the pier, opting for that instead of Shenanigans, which looked packed, so we didn’t think we’d get a table, let alone our food, anytime soon. We’d met the women’s swim team, Bailey had sat near Danica, and I’d overheard him asking her questions about her childhood and taking the time to get to know her. I was proud of Bailey for moving at a slower pace, and I wasn’t sure what it meant—that he was being more mature, more cautious?
I followed Jordan inside the white stucco building, where we were warmly greeted by staff and kids alike, which immediately calmed me. Bethany, one of the administrators, showed us around and told us about the programs they ran for teens. They sounded awesome. For some of these kids, this was the only place they could turn to, she’d explained, and I noted Jordan nodding in agreement.
“We’re hoping to spruce the place up a bit too, inside and out.” She motioned to the walls, which could use a fresh coat of paint. “So help from our volunteers really makes a difference. We’ll also be contacting the art department at the university to see if any students would be interested in creating a couple of murals for us.”
“I know one of the art students,” I said, thinking back to my conversation with Remy this week. “Maybe Remy can help or at least see who else might be interested.”
“That sounds perfect,” Bethany said. She was interrupted by a staff member, so she stepped away, leaving us near her office.
Jordan’s eyebrows were furrowed. “Isn’t that Bailey’s brother?”
A line of heat crawled across my neck. “Uh-huh.”
“Isn’t there bad blood between them?” He winced. “I heard he walked out of Shenanigans one night because of it.”
I sighed, knowing that story would get around the team one way or another. “That’s a loaded question. But I grew up with the Duvals, and Remy is a good guy.” You only needed to look beyond his moody cynicism to see what was underneath.
“He’s also hot as hell,” Jordan said with a wink, and a couple of the others looked in our direction, including Steve, who seemed interested in our conversation.
My cheeks colored.
“Sorry, too much?” Jordan laughed. “Does it feel like I’m talking about your brother since you grew up together and all?”
“Maybe,” I muttered. Crap, I did not want to give myself away.
I was relieved when Bethany came back and got us busy doing some activities with the teens—board games, puzzles, and artwork, which, to be honest, I sucked at. But it felt so rewarding spending time with the teens and hearing their stories. Steve told funny anecdotes, and Jordan was so engaging. I found myself wishing I had more of those characteristics in my personality. I could only be me—unapologetically so—but teens flocked to my table anyway. All they seemed to want was genuine company.
“That was awesome,” I said as we headed out the door a couple of hours later. “I’m so glad you told me about the group.”