Page 105 of The Golden Boys
My eyes go to Southside again and I take a breath, realizing that my feelings are changing.
‘T-shirt and sweats,’I answer.‘Looks like I’ll be here all night.’
* * *
@QweenPandora: Word on the street is NewGirl was rushed to the hospital tonight, amidst the craziness of the Monster Bash. No updates from any of TheGoldenBoys, but we’re all praying our girl is okay. With KingMidas missing in action, my best guess is he’s staying at his girl’s side. When I know more, you’ll know more.
Later, Peeps.
—P
Chapter 33
BLUE
“I know you said you’re not mad, but I’m seriously sorry. Like, eternally,” Lexi grovels, bringing a laugh out of me as I adjust the straps of my swimsuit.
“Dude, if I was mad, believe me, you’d know,” I assure her.
She secures the towel around her waist and slumps on the bench facing our gym lockers.
“Yeah, but if I hadn’t been sloshed, I would’ve been able to keep a better eye on you, and—”
Her sentence cuts off when the girls from the dance squad pass by, casting their dirty glances our way as usual.
Once they’re out of earshot, Lexi sighs before continuing. “If I’d been sober, I could’ve told someone your purse was in my car, and they could’ve gotten your Epi. I just—”
“Seriously. Stop,” I say with a laugh. “I’m alive. No harm, no foul.”
She nods in agreement, but it’s clear she still holds a ton of guilt. I get it, but it isn’t warranted.
“Fine,” I sigh. “If you want to make it up to me, meet me here after tryouts today. I need a little more swim practice before Mrs. C. evaluates us for the quarter.”
Lexi’s expression doesn’t change, but she nods. “Deal.”
“Come on. Let’s get to the pool.”
She follows when I yank her off the bench. Then, the smell of chlorine gets stronger the second we exit the locker room and pass through the double doors. We’re two of the last to make it out, so, of course, every eye shifts toward us.
Mine, however, go straight across the pool, meeting West’s emerald stare. My chest flutters when he smirks a little, then lowers his gaze to the water.
No wicked glare. No intimidating stare-down. Just that one, smoldering look that now has my heart racing.
And I may as well confess, I’ve been … looking forward to seeing West this hour.
I know, I know. Feelinganythingfor that dick is a heinous crime, but it’s my current reality.
Things with him are … different. I think it really hit homehowdifferent when I awoke in the hospital yesterday morning to find that he’d stayed. Sure, he lookedsuperuncomfortable in that tiny chair, and he was way too tall to fit his whole body under that hospital blanket, but … he stayed.
All night.
It shouldn’t have meant as much as it did but knowing neither of my parents would’ve even shown that type of dedication, I guess I took West’s gesture to heart.
I force myself to look toward Mrs. C. as she explains that we’re near the end of this unit. With West’s help, I’ve gotten over my fear somewhat and graduated from treading water to actually swimming less than a week ago. Which means I stand a chance of passing this semester.
“Ok, hop to it!” Mrs. C. announces, and the next second, we’re all in the pool.
I’ve gotten into the routine of getting in at the shallow end, and then waiting for West to swim over. Today is no different. As he pops up from beneath the surface, pushing water from his eyes and face, I’m aware of how much deeper I breathe as I watch it run down his chest and arms.