Page 55 of Oar Than Friends

‘What’s he been texting?’

I shrugged. ‘Just general stuff, you know like asking how my day was, that sort of thing.’

‘Awww. That’s really cute,’ sighed Hannah, then, ‘OMG! You were partnered with him yesterday! I was so tired when we got on the bus, I fell asleep before I asked. What happened?’

‘More of the same. He swears that he’s not the guy he’s made out to be, and … I believe him. What you’ve told me about him is not the guy I first met. It’s beendriving me crazy. He’s sweet and thoughtful, and kind. I like him. I know it’s an issue we have to beat Oxford, but I’ll have to figure that one out for myself.’ I got off my chair and joined them on the floor, ‘I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you. The first week I barely had time to think, and then the Oxford race you spent the entire walk there telling me about how awful the president was. Then when I realized it was the guy I was supposed to go on a date with I was so embarrassed, and kind of thought I’d been taken for a sucker. So I never said anything and that’s why I never replied to him. It’s not like we have time to date anyway.’

Imogen sucked her cheeks in, and her head tilted the way it did when she needed to think really hard. She spent so long considering her words I was close to snapping.

‘Asters, do you want to date him?’

My brow furrowed at the question I hadn’t been expecting. I hadn’t dated a lot in my life; I hadn’t had time. After Jake died, when everyone else was dating, my time was spent studying or coxing, and I’d never thought about it. Plus, I already knew all the guys in my town, and it didn’t take me long to figure out that none of them was the guy for me – not even Billy Polinksi, no matter how much our moms thought otherwise.

Oz was the first guy I’d ever met who seemed to know how to have a conversation, who I could talk to, share my thoughts with and have them understood. That fluttering you get in your chest that makes it feel like you need to go to the emergency room? He was the first guy who’d ever done that. The first guy I’d not stopped thinking about.

So while Oz and I hadn’t yet discussed how we would date while living a hundred miles apart, I did know that I wanted to keep messaging, I wanted to see him and I definitely wanted that kiss.

‘Yes, I think I do.’

‘Then go for it. Regardless of what anyone says, it’s important to have a semblance of life outside of rowing and medicine, and you have to find it where you can. But,’ she held up her pointer finger, with a smile which didn’t reach her eyes, ‘if he turns into the person he’s promising he’s not, then Hannah and I will carve him up in a slow, painful death.’

‘You got it. And please can we keep this our secret?’

‘Oh absolutely, Mary Heston would carve you up otherwise,’ said Hannah, jumping up and opening the door, ‘I have to go to the bathroom.’

‘It’s a good time for a break anyway. I’m getting more snacks, I’ve got some popcorn next door.’

Imogen followed Hannah; the open door and the window behind me causing a cold blast of air to hit me as I got up to close it. For once I ignored the anxiety tickling my skin, and pushed all thoughts of Mary Heston and what I was doing away.

It was almost second nature to me now that I reached for Oz’s sweater whenever I was cold, and I was pulling it over my head before it even registered. It no longer smelt like him, but the soft cashmere brushing against my cheeks took me back to that night on the quadrangle when his scent buried itself so deep under my skin that I could almost conjure it now.

Reaching for my cell I typed out a message.

Kate:

First time on the Tideway and I finally got a compliment from my coach. I had to take all the credit though

Oz:

I’m sure I’ll find a way you can make it up to me, Yankee Doodle. X

The smile was still on my face when the girls returned five minutes later.

11. Arthur

(Tattoos and video chats)

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