Page 12 of The Comeback

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The rhythmic splash of my arms slicing through the cool water is soothing, and I’m glad I hit the pool instead of the track. I took up swimming as part of my rehab after my ACL surgery and I’ve really come to enjoy the quiet of the water as my body powers through lap after lap. If anything was going to clear thoughts of her out of my head, this would be it. Unfortunately, her blue-gray eyes are still lingering in the back of my mind.

When I reach the end of my set, I pull myself up at the edge, falling back in with a splutter at the sight. Have I descended into full on hallucinations?

I lift myself back up, swinging a leg over the edge to climb out of the water. She’s just as surprised to see me, judging by the gaping mouth and wide eyes. The corner of my lip turns up in a little smirk when her gaze follows the water dripping down my body and her eyes darken to a steely gray.

I’m not immune to her charms either, quickly ducking down to grab my towel. The sight of her in a pink one piece that hugs her curves has my dick twitching to life even after the cool water of the pool. It shouldn’t be so hot with yellow pineapples all over it, but damn me if it isn’t sexy as fuck on her. I suck in a deep breath and try to focus on her eyes to avoid staring at her luscious tits like a teenager. Her long ponytail is streaming water down her back, and she’s frozen in the middle of toweling herself off. She must have been swimming in the smaller pool and just finished. Good timing. Or bad, depending on who you ask.

“What are you doing here?” she asks. Her eyes are narrowed, and the question has bite to it. Mmmm. She can take a bite out of me.

“Just watching a movie.”

She’s even cuter when she rolls her eyes at me. “Cute. It’s Saturday night. Shouldn’t you be out drinking and picking up bunnies or something?”

“Maybe I came to the pool to pick up chicks.” I’m not surprised by her assumptions. Doesn’t lessen the sting.

She glances around the massive space. There’s only one other person slicing through the turquoise water who didn’t have better plans on a Saturday night at the beginning of the year. “Sure you did.”

“I found you, didn’t I?” The flush that tints her round cheeks is adorable. She’s twisting her yellow towel in her hands. Maybe she’s pretending it’s my neck, but I wish it was my dick.

“I’m not here to get picked up,” she snaps back at me.

“I figured as much, but since we’re both finishing up here, wanna grab a coffee?” The words slip out almost against my will. I’m not even sure why I asked. She’s obviously pissed at me.

My eyes follow hers as she glances down at her dripping body. I’m a little jealous of the water that gets to caress her soft skin.

After an agonizing stretch of silence, she says, “Ok, Sebastian. One coffee.” Her mouth twists as if she’s confused why she answered yes, but then she turns and heads for the change room. “See you in the lobby.”

I may have set a record drying off and getting dressed so fast, my clothes are a little uncomfortable clinging to my still damp skin. I’m afraid if I take too long, she’ll vanish back into the past like a ghost. The weight lifts off my shoulders as I see her reappear ten minutes after me. Her hair’s twisted up in a messy bun, and she’s wearing a pair of black leggings and a short flowery dress that swishes around her knees like an invitation.

Chapter 9

Abby

We’retuckedawayina small corner booth at All Capps. It’s far too cozy for a couple of enemies, former friends? Whatever we are.

The bite of the fall breeze on my damp hair left me chilled, but that’s rapidly turning into an uncomfortable heat at his proximity. Why exactly did I say yes? My brain must have short-circuited after encountering him in a bathing suit. I saw more of him than that the other night at the party, but he hadn’t seen me in a bathing suit since we were kids playing in his parents’ pool.

My body has changed a lot since then. I squirm in my seat at the thought of him seeing me in my bathing suit that conceals nothing. Hips, thighs, the whole deal on display. And I was wearing a cutesy pineapple one. Total cringe.

I’m squeezing the mug in my hand so tight I’m surprised it doesn’t shatter, burying my nose in it to inhale the rich chocolate. It didn’t feel like a good idea to be guzzling coffee at this time of night.

He runs a hand through his damp hair and glances up at me. Is he nervous?

“Why’d you ask me here, Sebastian?” I can’t bring myself to call him by his old nickname. Neither of us is the same person we used to be.

“I just wanted to spend time with you.” His hazel eyes meet mine in a stare so intense that it almost takes my breath away. He has the most beautiful eyes of anyone I’ve ever met. Shadowy green, deep brown, and glints of gold with so many layers you could get lost in them like a dense forest.

“Why?” I’m really trying to get to the heart of this question.

After he ignored me in high school, why is he now trying to make it up to me now? We’re not friends. Not anymore. And we have completely different lives. I’ve got my music and my quirky performing arts friends, and he’s got his hockey, his jock friends, and of course, the many, many admirers. In first year when I found out he was also at Lakeview, I tried to avoid him at all costs. It wasn’t that hard, but I did hear stories. After all, the hockey guys are pretty much celebrities on campus, so gossip spreads. After that first year, I stopped paying attention. Relaxed. Thought I was safe.

He pulls back a little. “I don’t know, Abby. When I saw you at the party, it brought back a lot of memories. I want to get to know you again. Is that such a bad thing? We used to be so close.”

“Used to is the important part of that sentence. Do you remember how you treated me in high school? Like I was invisible. Beneath your notice? And that was way better than what your friends did. How could you do that to me?” Maybe that’s why I agreed. Maybe I just need some closure. Seal up the old wounds once and for all.

“I know. I know I was an asshole, and my friends were worse. Believe me when I tell you I’ve changed. I don’t need to try to fit in. I don’t hang out with toxic people like that anymore. And I am truly sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t stand up for you. That I wasn’t strong enough.”

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