If only we could go someplace private.
Then again...
“Come with me.”
No one pays attention to us as Liam follows me out. No one ever notices the stage manager.
I lead Liam to the catwalk entrance, make sure the coast is clear, then slide my student ID into the gap between the door and the frame. It only takes a second before I feel it unlatch.
I flick the light on before closing the door. We’re below the ladder, in the cramped entryway, and I suddenly remember Liam’s claustrophobic.
“You okay?”
“As long as the light’s on.”
“Okay.” I step closer. “Hey.”
“Hey.” He smiles as I pull him in for a kiss. He rests his hands on my waist, sways me back and forth like we’re slow dancing.
Then he breaks the kiss, brushing his nose against mine before leaning back so I can see his hands. “I wish we didn’t have to hide.”
“Me too.” I’ve got to tell Jasmine. I’ve got to. I just don’t know how without everything exploding.
Liam pulls me closer, resting his chin in my hair. To think I used to mind how he loomed over me. Now it’s like we fit perfectly together. He hums, the vibration passing from his chest to mine.
“I really like you,” he says when he breaks the hug. “You’re the only one who sees me.”
Sometimes it feels like he’s the only one who sees me too.
I kiss him again, and again, and again, until I’m dizzy with it.
I wish we could stay in here forever.
***
We’re walking toward Liam’s car when he stops abruptly and turns to face me. “Hey. What about the pool?”
“Huh?”
“You know how to swim?”
“I know how to not drown.”
“We could do a swim date.” He grins. “I could teach you to not drown better.”
“I don’t know...”
“It’s perfect. No one we know will be there. And you still owe me a prize for getting in the cast.”
“I do?”
“Yeah. And the prize is, I get to teach you to swim.”
I bite my lip, mostly to stop myself from smiling at the mental image of him in his little Speedo that I’ve only ever seen from the stands...
“Come on. Please?”
“All right.”
