“I didn’t get into Brown. Isn’t that great?”
“Uh, congrats? Wait, did your dad flip his lid?”
“That’s the best part,” I said, my eyes scanning the water, waiting. “He didn’t seem all that pissed. I think maybe he’s coming around.”
“Or he’s got a plan B. Em, are you sure—?”
“Here they come!”
The entire crowd on the bleachers got to its feet, cheering on their guys, while the teams on the dock whooped and hollered. I watchedwith my heart in my throat as Xander and his crew came around the bend, the boats cutting through the water like arrows. Unlike last time, this race wasn’t a sure thing. Our team, in gold and black, was fighting for their lives, wedged between New Haven Prep and Provincetown Academy.
My lips parted at the sight of Xander, clad in the unisuit that left no part of his perfect physique in question, setting the pace for his crew with brutal, exacting form. Each guy wore iridescent sunglasses, their mouths sucking air and blowing out with every row, matching his pace, synchronized as if they were one body. Xander’s grimace of determination was like the one he’d worn in bed the other night, his body moving back and forth…
“Girl…” Harper admonished—the lust must’ve been all over my face.
“I know, but can you blame me?”
Her gaze went back to the boys. “Actually, no, I can’t.”
The crowd grew louder as the racers drew closer to the finish line. Harper and I jumped up and down, the electricity in the stands infectious, zipping through all of us. The Royal Pride boat, with Rhett at the bow, inched ahead. And then again. Then New Haven Prep closed the distance a second later.
“Pull,” Dean bellowed, his commands blending in with the other coxswains, the cheers, and the rowdy teammates on the dock.
Then Xander, directly in front of Dean,snarled.
“Oh my God.” I gripped Harper’s arm as my knees went weak. I knew Xander was reaching down deep for something more—everything he had to give. And then their boat pulled ahead another half foot, then fell back. The crowd went insane; I was screaming so loud…and then they crossed the line ahead of the other two boats by inches.
“They won.” I grabbed Harper by the shoulders. “They won!”
Our crowd went wild, rushing the dock, while the other school’s fans clapped and congratulated one another on an exciting race. Harper and I joined the crowd running to the crew as their boats werepulled ashore. Every rower was exhausted but happy, slumped over and patting one another on the back.
They trudged out of the waist-deep water at the shore as girlfriends, friends, and family flew at them, hugging and snapping pictures. I watched from a distance, my hands clasped in front of me to keep them to myself, because no one was supposed to know I was with Xander. He was congratulated heartily by his coaches, Dean, and Harper, but he had no family watching. No one to fly at him and hug him and tell him that what he’d done was incredible.
Thewrongnessof leaving him alone in this victory—in hiding us at all—swept through me like wildfire, burning up all my hesitation. I ran, pushing through the crowd, and called his name.
He stood with his hands on his thighs, bent over, still trying to catch his breath. He spotted me just in time to catch me as I flew into his arms and kissed him.
“What are you doing?” he asked breathlessly, a shocked smile on his tired, handsome face.
“What I should have done months ago,” I said. “I love you. I love you so much. I can’t believe you did that. That was one the best things I’ve ever seen.”
Xander’s expression was heartbreakingly happy. He wrapped me in his arms and spun me around, as if now he was allowed to feel every ounce of victory.
“I love you,” he said, and kissed me and I could’ve sworn the crowd was cheering just for us.
Chapter 32
Xander
The Academy locker room was loud with celebration as we changed out of our racing gear. Coach Daniels huddled us up to congratulate us, actual tears in his eyes, then released us to change and celebrate at Orion’s party.
Dean approached and leaned against my locker. “I just want to personally thank you for not puking on me. Especially during the final hundred meters. Damn, that was insane.”
“Insane is right!” Suddenly I was engulfed in Orion’s embrace. “I’ve said it before, but Ford, you’re a fucking madman! And the best bloody stroke seat we’ve ever had.”
I winced, knowing Rhett was a few feet away. Orion read my expression.
“Nah, Calloway was made for bow, aren’t you, mate?”
