That throws me. I open my mouth to respond, but a soft bump against my foot makes me startle. I look over at Axel on my other side, eyes closed, head resting on his tan arms, and his toes brushing against mine under the water.
Is it an accident?
Another brush.
So, not an accident.
Heat rushes up my neck when he peeks one eye open and smirks.
Nik doesn’t miss any of it. His eyes narrow, and then he pushes off the wall, swimming slowly before coming up behind me. Close. I shiver.
“Wanna race?” he asks, voice low.
“To the other side?”
He smiles and nods like it’s a dare. “Loser owes the winner… a favor.”
Axel laughs under his breath. “NowthisI’ve gotta see.”
Johnny, now back on the other end of the pool with a soda in hand, calls out, “Just don’t drown her, Romeo.”
“You in?” Nik’s voice is smoother now, almost velvety. “Or are you scared to lose?”
I straighten my shoulders, matching his grin. “Bring it.”
“I’ll count you down,” Axel calls, still lounging at the edge of the pool like a smug Greek god, arms spread behind him. “Try not to embarrass yourself too bad, Lina.”
“You’re the one who’s going to be embarrassed when I win,” I retort, flipping him off.
Nik grins and winks at me, then adjusts his stance beside me in the water. “Ready?”
“I wasbornready.”
Axel smirks. “Three. Two. One.Go!”
Nik and I both launch forward, cutting through the water with a splash. I push myself hard, muscles burning, arms slicing. I can feel him beside me, close, but not close enough.
I beat him by half a body length.
I come up panting, water dripping down my face, heart pounding from more than just exertion. “Ha!” I yell triumphantly. “That’s right!”
Nik surfaces beside me, shaking his head and laughing. “Okay, damn, I didn’t expect that. Alright, what’s the favor?”
I lean in, pretending to think. “Hmm… how about you carry my backpack for the rest of the week?”
He groans dramatically. “So cruel. But fair.”
“You get used to her brand of evil,” Axel says from behind me, floating lazily now.
Nik splashes water at him. “Says the guy who cheats at pokerandMario Kart.”
Axel grins and flicks water back with his fingers. “Keep talking, Nik. See what happens.”
Nik narrows his eyes, but it’s playful. The tension between them sharpens. A look passes between them that’s half challenge, half curiosity. Neither of them breaks it right away.
Interesting.
“You two done flirting?” I tease, catching them both mid-glance.
