Nate didn’t have the same excuse. He’d been getting brand deals since he’d left for school. Honestly, posing with the twins would be good media coverage for him. So why did he look unwilling?
When I gave him a questioning look, he shrugged and dug out his phone. They exchanged contacts and then enlisted me to film them, doing a few laps.
I relaxed with Ember’s phone in my hands. Now, I had a proper excuse to not swim. And with our parents reminiscing about the old days, I might just get away with avoiding the water after all. Because in a half-hour, Dad was leaving for a business meeting. I’d be joining under the guise of being his second set of ears.
The twins looked as good and strong as Nate in the water. They were clearly ready to follow in their mothers’ footsteps. On their fourth lap, I sent a text to Leo to entertain myself. He responded in an instant with,
You should try joining. It’ll be good practice.
I haven’t swum without the board for long… or without you for that matter, I responded.
All the more reason to get in. I think I’m becoming a comfort zone.
I chewed on my cheek. Of course, he’d become a comfort zone. My favorite kind and I didn’t think it had to be a bad thing. At least, not all the time.
Echoes of Nate’s worries about me being small ran through my mind. Except I didn’t feel that way around Leo. Not in the slightest. A part of me felt bigger than ever being able to share my fears with someone who understood. Leo gave me space, offered me options I’d never even consider on my own. With him, I felt a part of a team.
I miss you, by the way, he wrote.
I smiled and sent a heart emoji back. When I saw Nate getting out of the pool, I tucked my phone back into my pocket.
He grabbed a towel from his bag and joined me. “I think you’re right.”
“Of course I am.” I gave him a smug smile while trying to figure out what he was referencing. “I’m right about almost everything.”
He laughed, wiping the water from his face. “I have a fan, except it’s not how you think.”
When I gave him a curious look, he said, “She’s trying to fuck with me.”
“Ew.” I wrinkled my nose. “Some things are best left kept to ourselves, Nathan.”
“Not like that.” He shook his head, equally appalled. “She’s asking a lot of questions about Mom and Dad.”
I glanced back at Ember and Cassie, who were currently talking animatedly with our parents. Together, the swimmers looked excited. Happy to be in their element with people who shared a similar love. My chest ached a little with the absence of having a community like theirs. I wanted something special enough to share with others. My mind went to my half-finished script on my laptop. If I just pressed submit, I could see where things went. I should let it out into the abyss with hopes that something would find me.
“And Leo,” Nate told me.
I whipped my head back to him. “Leo. Our Leo?”
“Our Leo?” Nate’s eyebrows furrowed. My heart nearly stopped when I realized my mistake.
“You know what I meant,” I said. “Ours in that we both know him and she doesn’t.”
“Right.” Nate nodded, suspicion not leaving his eyes. “Anyway, she’s a journalism major, according to her social media. So she’s probably looking for a rat and a story to jump-start her career.”
I snorted. “What does Leo have to offer?”
“Lots.” He was going to leave it there. I almost groaned in annoyance.
“You know I’m good at keeping secrets, I have to be,” I reminded him. “It’s sibling law.”
Nate rolled his eyes. I could tell he was getting a kick out of my itching for some details.
“It’s not my secret to share,” he said. “I promised it wouldn’t get out. Besides me, only one person knows the details, so it’ll be easily tracked back to me.”
“Who would I tell?” I wanted to probe him for more, except I couldn’t figure out how without seeming oddly curious. He was already on my trail with the “our Leo” comment.
“I don’t know all your little friends, Kira.”
“What little friends? Claire?” I scolded myself when I saw the change in his eyes at the mention of her name.
“Definitely don’t tell Claire,” he whispered. “No one, okay? Leo doesn’t need the extra attention.”
“Fine.” I held up my hand in defeat. “My mouth is shut.”
“Let’s hope it finally is.” He gave me one more warning look before heading back towards the pool.
I’d told this guy far too many times: it was impossible for me to not want to help. So it was partially his fault for believing me.
