Page 62 of The Comeback

“What are you talking about? The scout hugged you?” I laugh at the confused look on Beau’s face.

“Oh, the scout.” Right. Of course that’s what he was asking about. She’s got me tied up so tight I can’t focus on anything else. “He was from LA.”

“LA. That would be sweet.” Aspen gives me an encouraging smile.

“Right. It would be perfect.” California was not one of my top picks until recently. Not exactly the place you think of first when it comes to hockey, but they’ve got a solid team. Other than Ari, I don’t have any ties around here and she’ll be off to college next year. Somewhere I have no control over, so we’re probably going to be far away no matter what. But Abby... LA is the place to be for musicians, so it’s perfect. Am I planning a future with her already? I need to slow down a minute. She left. It’s going to take something special to convince her why she should trust me.

Chapter 47

Abby

Aftertheinitialshockof the icy water, I push off pumping my arms to warm up. By the end of my first lap I’ve settled into a smooth rhythm, and the water surrounds me in its comforting embrace.

Ree tried to convince me to go out clubbing to get my mind off tomorrow’s Exhibition, but I couldn’t bear the thought of all those bodies pressed together swaying drunkenly to the pounding bass. Feet sticking to the floor, and the smell of sweat and possibly worse things permeating the air. I enjoy a night out dancing now and again, but tonight the thought was unbearable. My mind is already racing with panic about singing on stage, mixed with the sadness over Bastian that’s stubbornly lingering.

All that stimulation would definitely send me to my knees. This is what I needed. The cool, calm of the water. Splashes as our arms propel us forward are the only sounds and the chlorine is strong, but not unpleasant. Weirdly I love that clean pool smell.

I’ve lost count by the time I take a break letting my feet touch down in the shallow end. I turn to Ree’s lane and all I see are her feet sticking straight up as she does a walking handstand.

I boost myself up on the edge, flipping around and dangling my legs back in the water. Ree splutters at the spray I sent flying as she resurfaced. There’s no one else here to bother. I’m not gonna lie. The thought did cross my mind that maybe, just maybe Sebastian would show up like the last time. Goosebumps have popped up all over my skin from the chill of the water, but my insides got toasty thinking of sharing the pool with him.

Ree boosts ducks under the rope dividing our lanes and pops back up in front of me.

“Thanks for coming.” I’m so lucky to have her in my life. I would have been happy to come her alone, but I’m glad she’s here.

“You don’t have to thank me. I love doing laps. Obviously.” She gestures to the tiny red bikini that deserves to be lying on a beach somewhere sunny, not struggling to stay on at a public lap swim. It’s the only bathing suit she owns.

“Uh-huh. Is that what you called that?”

“Hey. My bestie needed me so I’m here. Now about that payback.”

Her hands shoot forwards skimming the surface of the water to send a waterfall at me. I squeal and kick my feet at her again.

We’re so caught up in our water fight we don’t notice until a whistle ends the fun. I’m giggling behind my hand.

“Sorry.” I press my lips together. I hope they don’t ban me from the pool. That would suck.

The lifeguard’s hair is pulled back in a severe bun that matches her frown. “I think it’s time you two cleared out.”

I nod, trying to keep the hysterical giggle from bubbling out.

“Fine by me,” Ree says, lifting a long leg to the surface and exiting the pool with a lot more grace than me.

“I really am, sorry. We won’t let it happen again.” I force my face into what I hope is a contrite expression.

“No you won’t. Not if you don’t want to lose your pool pass.”

I nod and scurry to the change room.

My friend is already on the bench, chest heaving with laughter when I get there. By the time we’ve collected ourselves enough to get changed my stomach hurts from laughing so hard.

I definitely needed that.

Bare branches are creaking under the force of the violent wind whipping through campus as we leave the aquatic center. I jammed my wet hair under a wool hat, but it’s not enough to fight off the chill.

We both pick up into a run as we get close to her car, ducking inside and slamming the doors as soon as we get there.

“That’s brutal. See there’s a reason I never leave the house if I don’t have to. Winter in Michigan sucks.” Her nose is wrinkled with the disgust of someone who grew up in a warm climate. Her family is from Florida. She rarely goes home to visit, though.

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