Leaving the changing room with the towel wrapped around my waist, I try to cover as much of my lower body as possible.
The rhythmic sound of water splashing and swimmers gliding through the pool fills the air. I approach the pool’s edge, my steps hesitant, when I spot Xander and Joshua chatting a few feet away. I walk over and sit down, letting my feet and calves dangle in the water while clutching the towel to my chest.
Joshua turns his attention toward me, a welcoming smile stretching across his face, making my heart jump. His eyes wander appreciatively over me, and my self-consciousness ebbs away for a moment.
“Hey,” Joshua greets, his voice carrying a hint of excitement. “We were about to swim some laps. Want to join us?”
“No, thank you,” I reply, smiling to mask my insecurities. “I’m not the best swimmer.”
“But youcanswim, right?” he asks, looking concerned.
I shrug, suddenly feeling another pang of embarrassment. “I learned when I was a child, but I haven’t been swimming since.”
Joshua’s concern is even more palpable now as he leans in a little closer to me. “Promise me you won’t go to the deep end without me.”
I chuckle. “Don’t worry. I wasn’t planning on it. I don’t think I’ll swim at all. I’m here to watch you. I want to see the talent behind all those medals.”
As he glides his hands up my calves in the water, an involuntary shiver runs down my spine, his touch sending a tingling sensation through my whole body, leaving memomentarily breathless. “You wanna watch me?” he inquires, his mischievous grin making my heart skip a beat.
“Absolutely,” I reply, my smile playful as I challenge him. “Show me what you’ve got.”
His face lights up with excitement, and with a swift motion, he removes his wristwatch and hands it to me. “Can you time me?”
“Sure,” I agree, quickly checking how the timer works. “Okay, ready?” I ask, and Joshua gets into position. “Go!” I shout, pressing the timer on the watch.
He launches forward, propelling himself through the water with powerful strokes, creating a whirlwind of splashes that douse me, making me laugh. I watch in awe as he moves effortlessly through the pool, each stroke showing me how good of a swimmer he is.
Those medals are certainly deserved, and a sense of pride for him surges in me.
“You’re good for him,” Xander comments from beside me, his tone sincere and thoughtful.
I tear my gaze away from Joshua just long enough to glance at Xander and ask curiously, “You think?”
“He needs someone genuinely interested in him and his passions. Someone who’ll show up for him. God knows he didn’t have enough of that.”
As Joshua reaches the opposite end of the pool, he does a flawless flip-turn, pushing off the wall. It’s a sight to behold, and I can’t help but marvel at his skill.
“His parents?” I ask, my voice hushed.
“All they ever had for him were expectations, never support,” Xander murmurs.
Joshua speeds back toward us, the water parting effortlessly in front of him. I stop the timer as he touches the wall underneath me.
“Wow, you’re incredibly fast,” I exclaim as he emerges from the water, shaking his head like a wet dog.
Glancing at the time on the watch, he notes, “I can be faster.”
“Really? That seemed super quick already,” I respond, genuinely impressed.
He grins, a hint of competitiveness dancing in his eyes. “Give me a few laps to warm up, then time me again.”
Joshua reclaims his wristwatch, then leans in, his damp lips meeting mine in a wet, playful kiss before he dives back in to do more laps. A hint of chlorine lingers on my lips as I watch him swim away, a smile gracing my face.
Still leaning against the pool’s edge beside me, Xander turns his attention to me again. “Why don’t you come into the water? Are you scared?”
I shrug, my gaze momentarily fixed on the ripples Joshua left in his wake. “Not exactly.”
“Come on,” Xander coaxes, his tone teasing as he moves closer and positions himself between my legs. “I promise I won’t let you go under.”
