BASIL
This afternoon isthe final round of the Sapphic Olympics. The championship. Three teams remain, and by taking one look at the two-seater kayaks resting on the beach, I know Caroline and I will win first place—utterly destroying Victoria. Lauren’s collateral damage. I won’t bother investing time considering the third couple. The announcer said one was a celebrity I hadn’t heard of before. It seems rude, but they’re irrelevant with the Bellini Babes being the team to beat. As much as I’d love to believe this competition is about gaining bonus points with the Blakemans or my disdain for losing, it’s not.Thisis for Hazel. I’m determined for us to be Sapphic Olympic champions before happy hour at the Tiki Taco starts.
After the announcer finishes explaining rules and safety tips, I block the sun from my eyes and peer toward the ocean, approximating the distance we have to race. Paddle to the beacon and back to the shore, then sprint through the finish line. Seems simple enough, except I wish the waves weren't so choppy. The water has been perfect until today. As I continue my assessment, Caroline runs to meet Lynn’s fist bump on the sidelines. I’d join, but the weather permits Quilliam to be here as well, and I’m not quite ready for another close encounter with a hedgehog. No matter how “happy” he is.
“I don’t have experience with tandem kayaking, but I was a two-time rowing champion in college,” I say when Caroline returns to my side. The water isn’t exactly calm today, but I’m hopeful our combined skills—including her last-minute YouTube video binge on kayaking—will suffice.
“I’m not surprised. You seem good at everything you put your hands on.”
Her warm smile snaps me from my serious demeanor. I face her, and a flirtatious grin crosses my face as I step closer. “Including you?”
She wraps her arms around my waist and pulls me close, as if we’re alone, not surrounded by hundreds of people. “Especially me.”
Like we’re an actual married couple, I peck her lips. “Ready to use those strong muscles of yours to steer us to victory?”
Caroline nods. “I have a feeling I’m going to need another massage after this.”
“You might not know this about me, but I took a massage class. I’d love to practice my skills later. For as long as it takes.” This is the type of people-pleasing I can support.
She chuckles, her gaze lands on my lips, and our eyes meet. “Careful. I will test that theory to its breaking point. Win or lose.”
I ignore the last part; instead, my mind jumps to our makeout session during the massage class and dirty thoughts of what could’ve happened if time had permitted. After this event, time will be on my side.
Maybe I don’t want this to end after we leave the island.
“I’m counting on it.”
We slip our life jackets on and stand next to our yellow kayak, ready for the whistle. I sense Caroline staring at me from behind and turn. Am I forgetting something? “What?”
Her beautiful grin widens, relaxing my shoulders. “I was just thinking I have the best view in the house.”
The heat in my cheeks travels to my ears as I match her smile. I bet I’m blushing the same shade of red as my bikini. I love the way she always takes me by surprise. Her ability to derail my thoughts—for good or evil—is a profound mystery to me. No one else in my life has been this distracting in all the right ways.
Once our moment is over, I shift my focus to my right toward the Bellini Babes and try not to roll my eyes at their matching hot-pink tank tops and kayak. As well as their, as Lynn puts it, “peachy-cool” couple handshake. They do appear genuinely happy together. Good for them. Before they notice me watching, I return my attention forward.
Paddle in hand, I slide my sunglasses over my eyes and locate the beacon once more, ready to win with Caroline by my side. Ready to destroy Victoria Miller. Ready to prove myself to my mother.Look alive, Basil.
The whistle sounds. All three couples lunge toward the water, rushing to be seated, and push off the kayaks. Splashing and cheers erupt all around us. Scents of salt and seaweed fill my nose as we steady with each stroke into an effortless rhythm. Although my heart is racing, I’m in my element. Focused. Confident. With the best Olympic partner one could ask for.
The smell of grilled food fades along with the blowing horns as we launch further from the shore. I glance back and see the blue kayak in the distance—the remnants of the third couple—and note that I was right. There’s only one team to beat.
The pink kayak isn’t far ahead of us. We’re closing in. I hear Victoria and Lauren yelling back and forth, but I can’t decipher what they’re saying.
The beacon isn't far now, but I know moving in a straight line is the easy part. Rotating a dual kayak within several feet of another will be difficult. Caroline and I continue full speed ahead while the pink boat drifts outward, appearing to take a wider turn. We make up the distance, reaching within paddle length near our midpoint. The price is a sharp pivot. As if Caroline can read my mind, she performs a short, powerful stroke with the paddle, and we both shift our body weight to the edge, leaning until we’ve cleared the beacon.
Elated, a smile splits my lips when we pass Victoria in what feels like slow motion. We’re in the lead. Barely. Pain and exhaustion etch into my shoulders and core muscles from the intensity. I’m slowing down, but I’m not giving up.
There’s a loud thud. Then another. This time I feel it in my bones. I twist around and grit my teeth at Victoria. The bow of their kayak bumps into us again. Then our boats are parallel. I can hear the crowd now. We’re getting closer to the finish line. I’mnotlosing.
I yell to Caroline to keep paddling. Ignoring the beads of sweat forming at my temples, I stab the side of the pink kayak, which doesn’t seem to change anything except now I’ve poked the orange bear named Victoria. She jabs her paddle in my direction. I dodge.
Then, remembering our new team name, I joust.Our paddles clash together like swords in a fencing competition. Caroline and Lauren battle to steer. I never thought this was what my personal showdown with Victoria would eventually look like, but here we are. I stab the paddle at her boat.
“I didn't realize we were playing, 'Who can make the worst decision?'” I growl. “Congratulations, you're winning!”
“You wish you could beat us.” She swings her paddle, just missing my arm.
Bullying me like you did my sister?“Don’t make me create another billboard, Vicky. This time I’ll add ‘Sore Loser' on yourbig forehead!”
