“Hey.”
“How’s the nose this morning?” His eyes scan my face and I shrug.
“No bruise, but still a little sore.”
“It’ll probably be like that for a couple of days.” He takes the seat next to me. “So Sammy mentioned you’re a teacher.”
“I am. I teach first grade.”
“I teach ninth.”
“You do?” I don’t know why that information surprises me so much. Maybe because he doesn’t look like any teacher I ever had. “What class do you teach?”
“Science.”
“Really? My goal was to teach History in high school.”
“It’s not your goal anymore?”
“I don’t know. At first, I just wanted to take some time getting my feet wet in the school system before I went all the way. Now, I get nervous every time a friend tells me a horror story about one of their students at the high school.”
“It’s not as scary as people make it out to be. Most of the kids are good. I mean, there’re always a couple who act out, but I was one of those kids, so I try to take it easy on them.”
“So you’re one of those cool teachers who everyone loves.”
“I try to be.” He chuckles, and I laugh. “Where do you work now?”
“In Modesto. You?”
“In Stockton,” he replies.
“You’re in California?”
“Born and raised. Ian and I grew up there. He moved away after college, but I found my way back.”
“Where did you go to college?”
“Florida State.”
“Ah, so you spent four years partying.” I smile when he laughs.
“Penny, we’re up again,” Janelle tells me as she begins making her way toward the water.
“I’ve been summoned.”
“Good luck.”
“Thanks.” I send him a smile, then follow my group out and get in line behind Janelle.
When the horn sounds, I know what to expect, so I start to pull along with everyone else, only I don’t expect the dirt on the bottom of the lake to now be mostly slick quicksand after so many people have stood where I am. My feet slip and slide in the sludge, and the grossness of it between my toes is almost enough to have me letting go of the rope and giving up.
When I see that the other team’s boat is almost to the finish line, I pull harder and slip and go under, accidently trying to drag in a breath, which makes me panic even more. Kicking my feet and using my hands to reach the surface does me no good. The rope that had been gathering at my feet has somehow wrapped around me and holds me hostage. Just when I wonder if this is how I’ll die, I’m lifted up out of the water.
“Penny, are you okay?” people ask from all directions as I cough and try to catch my breath.
“Give her some fucking room,” Jace bites out, and I blink up at his wet face.
How did he get here? When did he get here?
“I’m—” I cough. “—okay,” I tell the crowd gathered around me and try to smack Jace’s chest for being short with everyone, but there’s not enough force behind it for him to even take notice.
“You took ten years off my life.” Janelle holds her hand to her chest. “I didn’t even know you went under until Jace was diving into the water.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I’m just glad you’re okay.” She touches her hand to my wet hair, then looks at her son. “I’ll get you two some towels.”
“And I’ll get you some water,” Haylee adds before following after Janelle.
“You can put me down.” I look up at Jace, who still has me held against his chest.
“I could, but I’m not going to.” He starts to carry me out of the water toward the bench I was sitting on earlier. I don’t even bother trying to fight him; it’s obvious from the look on his face that he’s already annoyed with me.
“Are you okay, Penny?” Troy asks as Jace sits down with me held on his lap.
“Yeah, I just slipped, and then the rope wrapped around me,” I explain lamely.
“Your guy got to you before I could even get off the bench,” Troy says, patting Jace on the back. “Where did you even come from?”
“Here you go, Penny,” Haylee cuts in before Jace can answer the question I’d like the answer to, and I smile, taking the open bottle of water from her.
“So did we win?” I ask after taking a sip.
“That doesn’t fucking matter.” Jace glares at me.
“We actually did win,” Brice says, and Jace sends him a murderous look. “Just saying.” He shrugs, not at all affected.
“At least there’s that,” I mumble, and Troy laughs, but Jace continues to glower at me, obliviously finding nothing funny about this situation.
“Here you two go.” Janelle comes over, handing me two towels, and I maneuver myself off Jace’s lap even though his hold on me tries to tighten. Once I’m sitting on the bench next to him, I start to dry my hair, then feel my eyes widen when he takes his cell out of the pocket of the shorts he has on.
“Please tell me that’s waterproof,” I whisper when he places it on the bench between us.
“It is.” He kicks off his shoes and takes off his socks, making me realize he jumped in to rescue me while still fully dressed. That information does something funny to my chest but I ignore it.
“I thought you were working?” I say when everyone wanders off.
“Is that your way of saying thank you for saving your life?”
“I would have been okay.”
“Yeah babe, I’m sure fucking Troy would have been all too happy to save you.”
“What does that mean?” I ask, feeling my brows drag together.
“Nothing.” He shakes his head, lifting his shirt over his head. Darn but when will I be immune to seeing him shirtless? I have never been a huge fan of tattoos—not that I have anything against them; they’ve just never been my thing… until him.
“Are you gonna sit the next round out?” Haylee asks when a horn sounds, and I drag my eyes off Jace’s body to look at her.
“N—”
“Yes,” he cuts me off, and I turn to glare at him before I look back at her.
“No, I’m okay to join.”
“Cupcake, you are not—”
“Going to be told what to do?” I interrupt with a nod of my head. “You’re right. I’m totally not going to do that,” I say, and Haylee giggles.
“You almost drowned!” he growls.
“I’m fine, and if you’re so worried about me, you can join us.” I stand up, and he lets out a string of curse words as he launches himself up off the bench.
“Where’s the rest of your suit?” he bites out as he attempts to wrap his towel around me.
I bat him away and point my finger at his chest. “Remember the conversation we had about you making me feel self-conscious?”
“Your ass is out.” He scowls down at me, and I look around. Every woman out here is dressed in a swimsuit similar to mine, some with even less material and way more showing.
“I’m not wearing less than anyone else.”