“Nothing,” I huff. Swiveling in my seat, I start cleaning. “Just tired.”
“Bullshit,” he says with a knowing look. “This is about Rowan, isn’t it?”
My head snaps up. “How do you know?”
He grins. “Small town, remember? Plus, I overheard Jax talking to Ryder this morning.”
Great. Just what I need—shop gossip.
“It’s no big deal.” Annoyed, I swipe my towel over the metaltop of my station, almost knocking over a few bottles of ink. “Goddammit,” I hiss.
“If you say so.” Carter leans back in his chair, crossing his arms. “But if you need to talk...”
“I don’t,” I say a little too quickly as I give him side-eye.
He holds his hands up in surrender. “Just offering.”
Immediately feeling bad for snapping, I sigh.
When I look up at him again, he tilts his head. Dark blond hair falls over his forehead, lean muscle fills out his T-shirt and jeans, and the smile he gives me? It’s one that a few months ago would’ve had me contemplating giving him a good bounce, or tearing into him like a lion on a gazelle.
But that rooster is no longer allowed in my hen house. Nope. No cock-a-doodle-doo allowed.
The thought makes me snort.
“What’s so funny?”
I find myself shaking my head, returning his smile without a second thought. “Nothing.”
“How about I take you to lunch instead?” he asks, hope edging into his voice.
“Thanks, but I think I’m gonna go work out.”
Carter leans in, resting his forearms on his thighs. “Need a sparring partner?”
“Nah, babes. I’m good.” I grab my bag, tossing over my shoulder. “Maybe another time. You need anything before I go?”
“Nope,” he answers as he gets up, shoving his hands in his pockets. “The offer still stands. If you need to talk.”
“Appreciateit. See ya.”
Instead of liftingweights at Summit Studio like I usually do to sort out my personal shit, I decide to do something I haven’t done in a long time. Go swimming.
Even though it’s been hotter than normal this summer, the lake can still be a little too cold for my taste.
Which leaves the local pool and the one at the high school. The last thing I want is to be surrounded by screaming kiddos, so I opt for the only other choice.
After a quick stop at my apartment to grab my suit and a towel, I’m in my Jeep with the windows down, driving across town toward Lakeside High. The wind whips through my hair as I crank up the radio, drowning out my thoughts with some old-school Paramore.
When I pull into the high school parking lot, I’m relieved to see it’s empty. No other cars in sight. The teacher’s lot is on the other side of the building, so I shouldn’t have to worry about running into anyone. Perfect.
The school is eerily quiet as I make my way through the familiar hallways. It’s been years since I walked these corridors as a student, but nothing much has changed. Same ugly green lockers. Same trophy cases filled with dusty reminders of the past. Same smell of pine floor cleaner and teenage angst.
I push through the door to the girls’ locker room, my footsteps echoing against the tiled floor. Taking a quick look around, I breathe a sigh of relief. I’m completely alone. Exactly what I need.
“Thank god,” I sigh, dropping my bag on one of the benches.
I change quickly into my black one-piece, the fabric snug against my skin. I pull my hair into a tight bun on top of my head, securing it with an elastic band and snatch up my towel.
