I can’t help the grin that tugs at my lips. “Okay, not a word about either of them. I’m perfectly happy with that.”
The corner of his mouth curls. “Good. You feel up for a race?”
Relief rushes through me as I nod. “That sounds great, actually.”
I quickly strip out of my t-shirt and sweatpants and pile my stuff on a nearby bench. Liam leads me to the top of the pool, where we get into position to dive in. He counts down from three, and as soon as he says one, we hit the water and explode forward. I lose myself in the race, loving the feel of my muscles working and burning, and that familiar thrill I get whenever I’m competing.
We race a couple of laps, and it’s a close finish, but I slap the wall of the pool a second before him.
Moving to the rope separating our lanes, I hold on and let myself float as I catch my breath. Liam swims over to hang on the rope next to me.
“Fuck, you’re fast,” he pants.
I smirk. “You’re just figuring this out now?”
He shakes his head with a chuckle. “And modest as well.”
“It’s not bragging if it’s true,” I tell him in a sing-song voice.
He laughs. “Ellis, I like you.”
I release a sigh and smile softly. “I like you too, Liam.”
We gaze at each other for several long moments, and after a while, he murmurs, “Just not in that way, huh?”
His words aren’t accusatory. He’s just asking a question, and he’s not putting unnecessary pressure on me. Still, I gaze across the pool as I consider how best to answer.
“I … I don’t know what I feel right now,” I answer honestly. “There’s just a lot going on right now, and I’m really struggling to keep my head above water—”
He raises his hand to interrupt me. “Look, don’t worry about it. I get it. I’m sorry I brought it up.”
“No.” I shake my head. “Don’t be sorry. I’m sorry I can’t give you a better response right now.”
He raises his hand and brushes my cheek. I stay very still, stunned by the gentle contact and the way my breath hitches. “Liam…” I whisper, and a slow smile splits his features.
“I don’t want to put any pressure on you,” he murmurs. “I just like hanging out with you, and I don’t want that to stop.”
“I don’t either,” I admit softly.
His grin widens and he drops his hand. “Good. Then let’s keep going. You want to go for best two out of three?”
“Only if you’re ready to lose again,” I tease.
“I’m about to kick your skinny ass, Ellis.”
Laughing, I release the rope and move to the top of my lane to get ready for our next race. I feel a flood of relief that here, at least, I can just relax and have fun.
With Liam, there aren’t any threats or unwanted pressure. When it’s just the two of us, I can pretend my life is normal and the world isn’t out to get me.
By the time I get back to my dorm, I’m actually feeling pretty content and at ease. Spending time with Liam is always so easy, and our races help me feel a lot less stabby. Of the five races we swam, I won three, which makes me feel pretty damn good about myself. Liam’s a strong swimmer and could easily compete with the best of them if he joined the team.
That I’m just a little bit better is a major ego boost, which is something I’m in desperate need of.
I strip out of my swimsuit and take a shower, letting the hot water soothe my worn-out muscles and help me relax further. As loose as I’m feeling, I might actually get a good night’s sleep.
After my shower, I dress in a pair of old, worn sweat-shorts and a tank-top. I brush through my wet hair and leave it loose down my back to air dry. With a contented sigh, I make my way toward my bed, throwing back the covers as I prepare to crawl beneath them and sink immediately into sleep.
The moment I rest one knee on my mattress, however, there’s a loud knock on my door. I frown. Who the fuck could it be at this hour?
My heart begins thudding nervously as I cross the room. What if it’s Jon Eric? What if he didn’t disappear at all but is lying low to lull me into a false sense of security?
I hesitate with my hand on the doorknob, but when the knock sounds again, I release a breath and open the door just wide enough that I can see out into the hall.
“What the fuck?” I hiss when my eyes land on Saint’s large form. “What are you doing here?”
He slaps his hand against the door and pushes on it, forcing me to step back to let him inside.
There’s a slight sway to his movements as he steps over the threshold. Is he drunk?
I slam the door behind him and spin to face him with my hands on my hips.
“Why’re you here?” I grind out.
He faces me, waving a finger in the air between us. “I came to tell you all the reasons I hate you.”
I groan and roll my eyes. His words are slurring slightly, and he’s definitely drunk. There’s a strong scent in the air that makes me think he’s high as well.
“I don’t have time for this,” I mutter. Moving closer to him, I grab the front of his shirt and start to drag him back to the door. “Time to go, big guy. Go sleep it off.”
He wrenches himself from my hold. “Fuck you. I’m not leaving.”
“Saint, this is my room—”
“That’s one of the reasons I hate you,” he snaps. “You’re so fucking bossy and full of yourself. You act like you’re so much better than everyone else around you.”
Any sense of contentment and relaxation I felt before is gone, and my shoulders tense as my anger spikes.
“That’s rich coming from you,” I say. “You snap your fingers and all these idiots line up to do your bidding? Who the hell do you even think you are?”
“And you’re reckless,” he continues, as though I haven’t spoken. “You have a hero complex that won’t quit, and it fucks you without lube every time.”
“I’ve apologized for the apple.” When he sneers, I tilt my head and glare up at him. “By the way, I never did find out what it was that got me in this mess. Why that girl—”
“She accused me of being responsible for Nick Reynold’s attack,” he spits out. “The bitch crashed my party, then opened her white trash mouth and told lies. She’s lucky I didn’t…”
When a little sound escapes the back of my throat, he shakes his head and releases a frustrated laugh. “That’s another thing, Ellis. You’re nosy. You don’t listen, and my best friend acts like a fool because of you.”
Great, now he’s bringing Liam into this.
It doesn’t matter. I’m not going to get sucked into his shit again. Not this time. I’m too tired and have no patience for him.
“Is that all? Are those all the reasons you hate me? Can you go now?”
Instead of answering, he slowly stalks toward me. I back away from him, because if he touches me, I know I won’t be able to say no to him. When my back hits the door, however, my heart rate kicks up about ten or eleven notches. He rests his hands on either side of my head, trapping me.