The horn blows and the swimmers start their race. The crowd erupts in cheers, and I’m thankful for the break in silence. Ashton warned me the races are quick, and he was right. Not even twenty seconds later and the race is over, and Ashton’s the winner. The other two events at least lasted a good forty seconds…
Ashton climbs out of the pool and grabs a couple towels, throwing one over his shoulders and wrapping the other one around his trim torso. His teammates pat him on the shoulder, no doubt congratulating him on his time. I don’t know what’s considered good, but the fact he was the fastest at only eighteen-point-thirty-three seconds is just crazy to me.
My eyes descend along his taut chest and lean abs, my lady parts tingling in memory of the way his hard body felt against mine this morning as he made love to me. The way he took such sweet care of me.
As he saunters over, his gaze meets mine. At first the expression on his face is cocky, like he knows exactly what I’m thinking, but then I can see when he notices Brayden next to me, because his face contorts into… is that guilt? No, I have to be seeing things that aren’t there. My insecurities are messing with me. I expected jealousy, anger maybe. The way he acted when I hugged Drew earlier. But I wasn’t expecting the pained look on his face he’s sporting as he walks over to us.
“You did so well,” I tell him, popping up from the bench and wrapping my arms around him. He smells like chlorine mixed with Ashton. My favorite smell.
“Thanks.” He pulls back slightly. “I still have one more race, but I have a small break.” His eyes land on my lips, and his tongue darts out, licking his own, like he’s warring with himself as to whether or not he should kiss me.
Instead of waiting for him to make a decision, I do it for him. The kiss isn’t long, but it’s enough to make me wish we were back at his place, where I could remove those towels and take my time exploring every inch of his body. When the kiss ends, I back away slightly.
Brayden stands and walks over. “Sorry I’m late, Ash. School is kicking my ass. Good job on the win, though.”
“Thanks, man.”
He and Ashton share a hug, which in itself is strange, but when they pull apart, the heated gaze in Brayden’s eyes is enough to make me feel sick. He’s attracted to Ashton. I glance over at Drew, wondering if he’s seeing what I’m seeing, and based on the way his jaw is tight, I would say he is. I move slightly so I can see Ashton’s face, but before I can catch his expression, he shakes his head and turns his attention to me.
“I’m in the last event, so once I’m done, after I meet with my team to go over the points, we can go.”
“No rush,” I squeak out. “We’ll be here.”
Ashton’s eyes bounce over the three of us, and then with a tight nod, he heads back over to where his team is.
“How are your classes going?” I ask Brayden after a few minutes of awkward as hell silence as we watch some relay type of race. When I asked Ashton why he doesn’t do those, he told me he doesn’t play well with others.
“Okay,” he says, “definitely miss my tutor.” He smirks playfully, but when he realizes what he just did, he tones it down.
“Don’t do that,” I tell him. “Don’t not be yourself. I know things are weird, but before we… dated, we were friends. And I hope we can go back to being friends again.”
“Yeah?” he asks.
“Yeah.” I smile. “Monday, I expect to see you at the tutoring center on time with my Starbucks coffee.”
Brayden chuckles. “Yes, ma’am.”
A little while later, Ashton’s race begins. Once again, like the damn fish he is, he blows everyone’s time out of the water, winning his fourth and final event. When he gets out of the pool, pumping his fist in excitement, I don’t miss the way Travis, who only won one race from what I can recall, glares at Ashton.
The team disappears into the locker room and Brayden excuses himself, saying he still has more schoolwork to do, leaving only Drew and me.
“I think I’m going to get going as well,” Drew says. He steps toward me, until our bodies are close… too close. He reaches out and tucks a wayward hair behind my ear and smiles softly. “I know you said you’re good, but if you need me, day or night, I’m here. Okay?”
Before I can answer him, a squeaky feminine voice calls my name.
“Mia!” Ashton’s mom, Wendy, says, waving her manicured hand in the air. “I knew that was you!” I laugh to myself as she saunters over, dressed like she’s at a dinner party instead of at her son’s swim meet, while Curtis follows behind.
“How are you, my dear?” She pulls me into a hug, her strong perfume nearly knocking me off my feet. “Did you see my Ashton in action?” she gushes. “Like a dolphin!”
I laugh, wondering not for the first time why Ashton thinks his parents hate him. The few times I’ve been around them, they’ve done nothing but be supportive of him.
“I did. He’s amazing.”
“Andrew,” Curtis says. “I’m surprised to see you here. The last I checked you were in Flint kicking some Raptor butt.”
Drew laughs tightly. “We did, sir. Got back earlier. Just thought I would come out to support my roommate and school.”
Curtis eyes him speculatively, then a wide grin splits across his face. “Good man.”
We chat while we wait for Ashton. He shows up, dressed in sweats and a hoodie, his hair messy and sticking up in several different directions. It’s apparent he showered in the locker room when he normally waits until he gets home.
“What’s everyone talking about?” Ashton says as he steps between Drew and me, each of his hands on one of our shoulders. “My ass in my speedo?”
Curtis groans while Wendy laughs.
“Tell ’em, MiMi. It was the highlight of the event.” He kisses the top of my head.
“He’s not wrong,” I say, giggling.
Curtis, used to our antics, shakes his head at Ashton. “We’re all proud of the way you won all your matches. Impressive.”
Ashton shrugs off his dad’s words. “Did you expect anything less?”
“I didn’t,” Wendy says, grinning. “Let’s go to Edmond’s and celebrate. Bring your friends, love. We have to discuss the Atlantic Pointe athletic program’s fundraising event.”
“Sounds boring.” Ashton wraps an arm around my waist. “Nah, we’ll pass. Ready to go, babe?”
“Babe?” Curtis’s brows furl together as his eyes bounce back and forth between Ashton and me.
Ashton flashes me a wicked grin that says he’s about to take great pleasure in fucking with his dad again. “Yeah, about that. I’m into chicks now. Well, one really. You can stop being ashamed, Dad.” He smacks my ass playfully. “Now you can have grandkids. You’re welcome.”
Oh my God.
Mom laughs, always the first to enjoy my inappropriate jokes. Dad’s face turns beet red. I guess this fucking embarrasses him too. Whatever. No matter what I do or say, it’s never the right thing.
“Ignore him,” Mia says to Dad, trying to smooth out my words. “We’re not having kids right now.”