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)
“How nice of Remy to invite you over for breakfast,” he teased.
“You know us athletes, we get up early to train, so it was perfect timing,” I replied tongue-in-cheek.
Derek leaned against the counter. “If I’m not mistaken, this was your first time staying over. How was it?”
“Okay, stop,” Remy said as I blushed. “Or I’ll drill you about your night.”
“And I’ll gladly tell the details. She was perfect in the—”
“Okay, never mind. I take it back,” Remy said, and Derek erupted in a throaty laugh. “Go clean up, then join us for breakfast.”
As Derek headed for the stairs, Remy winked at me over his shoulder.
“Is there anything I can do?” I asked, suddenly feeling useless.
“Yes.” He reached for some plates. “Eat my amazing breakfast.”
“That won’t be impossible.” I rummaged through their drawers and found utensils and napkins to finish setting the table.
Derek joined us, wearing sweats but still looking a bit ragged as he put on the coffee. Remy served us scrambled eggs and bacon, and we scarfed it down in virtual silence.
Deciding against caffeine, Derek excused himself to nap instead as I helped Remy clean up the kitchen. “Thanks for breakfast. It beats mediocre microwave food in a stuffy dorm room.”
Remy’s hand wrapped around my nape as he kissed me near the sink. “Guess that means you’ll have to visit more often.”
My stomach felt all fluttery as he deepened the kiss.
When I heard my cell buzz with a text, I drew away, panting hard. “It’s probably Bailey.”
“Do you two have plans today?”
“Not really. Except maybe driving home for a couple of hours. Why?”
“I have to work later, but if you want to hang out for a while…”
When I smiled, he seemed relieved. “Let me just…respond to Bailey.”
Remy went up to use the bathroom and change while I checked the message.
You with Remy?
Duh, I wanted to say, but I refrained.
And if I am?
Nothing. It’s fine. I could almost hear him saying the word fine with his teeth clenched. He so wasn’t fine with any of this. But I was giving him time. At least he wasn’t still trying to shut me out. Only making sure you’re all right.
I’m more than all right.
Okay, ew.
I rolled my eyes.
I didn’t even say anything to warrant that reaction.
You didn’t need to.
How about you? My thumbs moved over the keys in frustration. Did Danica stay over?
Maybe.
Okay, ew, I replied, mimicking him.
He fired off a middle-finger emoji.
What are you, five? Wanna drive home together?
Sure. What time?
Late afternoon?
Sounds good.
See you then.
We played video games, watched a movie, and snuggled on the couch until Remy had to go to work, and honestly, it felt like the perfect downtime. I should’ve gone to the weight room or completed some assignments, but I had no desire to be anywhere else.
Derek roused sometime after noon and ate the subs we’d stepped out to get. He watched some TV with us, then headed out the door to who knew where.
Remy kissed me goodbye before we went our separate ways, and by the time I got back to campus, I had received a text from him.
It was nice hanging with you, Carl.
I grinned. You too, Ted.
23
Remy
It took me a good hour with traffic, but I made it to the invitational just in time.
Mom was sitting alone in the stands, and her eyebrows lifted to her hairline upon seeing me. “I didn’t know you were coming.”
“Neither did I.” I sat beside her.
I’d worked a morning shift before getting on the road to show support to Bailey and Alex. And to see my parents too. But mostly Mom.
“Where’s Dad?”
She glanced over her shoulder. “Running late, apparently.”
Bailey would be bummed if Dad missed his first heat, and as my gaze swung toward the pool, I could see him pacing anxiously behind the bench. Likely from nerves, but I knew what Dad’s presence meant to him. His hero worship would bite him in the ass someday, and it would be sad to watch. But maybe also vindicating. I hated that I felt that way about our relationship, but this was what it’d come to. If only he could see that all humans had flaws. It only mattered how you embraced them.
Alex was stretching on the sidelines, only competing in the relay events today, which I’d admit were the most interesting to watch, especially the final minute with the strongest swimmers as the anchors. I had no doubt Alex would earn that spot one day if he wanted it. Though most of the time, he just seemed happy to be competing at all, which was refreshing. Bailey was way more competitive, and I thought maybe Dad had everything to do with it. Almost like he was swimming for an audience of one.
Alex did a double take at seeing me in the stands, and a rosy flush spread across his throat, making my stomach flutter. I tried not to focus on those small swim briefs that had played a role for us that night after dancing at the club.