Page 13 of Unchartered Curves

Gill pulled me in for a kiss. “But of course we want to win, right?”

***

I was still laughing as I walked back to my cabin.

As I got dressed, doubt crept in. Did actual relationships really happen this fast? Was this love-bombing? I didn’t want to miss signs as I clearly had with Steven. But I’ve known and respected these guys as teachers.

I added lipstick and light eyeliner before gathering my iPad and bag for the day. There was no rush. Forget the fact that I could picture myself moving in with them back in Hopeton, I would force myself to take it slow and be practical.

“No hurry,” I whispered to myself again, even as I hurried out to the deck to meet up with them again.

***

I’d told them an hour, and I was out at the pool deck within 30 minutes. I had to laugh at myself as I sat in the shade near the side of the main pool. It was a beautiful morning, and people were relaxing and chattering happily all around me. At least it seemed that way.

“Anisa?”

It was Steven, standing in front of my lounge chair.

Oh, here we go, I thought. I wasn’t having it. Nothing was touching my bubbling happiness today.

“Steven? I don’t think there’s anything left to say. You made it clear I was a–what did you call me? A Hopeton Hoe?”

“I did not call you that. I was surprised that you were dating two guys, though. And don’t they work at the University? Is that where you met them?” He made a move to sit in the chair next to mine, but I held up a hand.

“I’m meeting them here. Please don’t sit down.”

He sat, and I stood.

He sighed. “I don’t understand why we can’t talk.”“I don’t understand why you haven’t tried to talk to me all this time.”“I realized you made me happy.”I snorted. “No, I don’t think that’s true. I think you wanted to be free, but you also enjoyed having someone to split the bills with and to listen to you. I think you did us both a favor by breaking it off, Steven.”

“Don’t say that, Anisa. I know it’s not too late for us. You can’t be serious about those old guys. I’m sure it’s fun to screw two guys, Anisa, but that won’t last.”

“Shut up, Steven. I mean it. Leave me alone.” I moved to leave, as he was drawing attention.

“Don’t walk away, Anisa. I have things to say.” Then he grabbed my wrist.

“Let me go.”

He pulled harder, like he wanted to pull me into his lap.

I stepped hard on his foot and punched him in the jaw, then watched as he fell back, his chair going backwards.

The sound his head made as he hit the deck was sickening, before he rolled into the pool.

I felt Duane and Gill come up to me, but I couldn’t move at first.

Then Duane moved to the wall, opening a panel and punching in numbers, before I heard his voice calling out codes over a loudspeaker. Gill jumped into the pool and then I could move.

I jumped in next to him and helped him pull Steven to the steps nearby. By then Duane met us along with the nearby bartender.

Two more staff came running, and we all carefully moved Steven to the pavement. Medical staff soon had him breathing.

I don’t think I breathed again until I saw his eyes open. The blood on the side of his face seemed to be a lot.

“He’s going to be ok.” Gill put an arm around me as we stood nearby. Duane moved to join us.

“I didn’t mean to hit him that hard.” My teeth were chattering.

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