Page 13 of In Too Deep

“Enough…”

Katie smiles. “Good, then you know where you stand.”

I lean in close and smirk. “Where I stand… will be on your face if you don’t shut that scabby slut mouth.”

Katie gasps.

Everyone else steps out and stares at our showdown.

Katie smugly nods. “Tough words. Guess we’ll see who’s the toughest in the pool, right?”

“You’re on. And gossip all you want, but make sure I’m not here.”

Katie grins. “I’d rather stab you in the front any day. I do love it when you squirm.”

“Game on, moles,” I quip.

“What is this…Big Brothercirca 2006?”

“If you stoop to unnecessary evils, people will catch you.”

“WhateverJane Fonda.”

Furrowing my brows, I shake my head. “What does that even mean?”

“That sounds like something from aJane Fondamovie.”

“It doesn’t.”

“Whatever. Get out of my face, LaBelle.”

“Gladly, Reynolds!” I slam her door shut and walk back to my cubicle. The noise in the changing rooms stops as I go about my peaceful shower.

After showering and changing, I head out—without any issues—up into the stands to find Caro. She’s sitting next to a hot guy I vaguely recognise and Coby. Smiling, I make my way to them.

“Hey, Lady Butterfly, you took off,” Coby calls as I slide in next to him.

“Yeah, they took me for testing, and when I got back, you were gone.”

He winks. “All good.”

“You shocked them out of the water.”

He chuckles. “I sure have. I have my final tonight, not long after your semi, so we should be in the marshalling area together again.”

“Great, we can cheer each other on.”

“No fucking way!” Caro calls, grabbing my attention. She holds her hand against the palm of—I’m assuming East, Coby’s bestie—his hand. It’s so small against his massive palm.

“See, I told you. You know what they say about big hands. Right, Caro?” East cackles.

She scoffs, focusing on his crotch. “Yeah… small brain.”

Coby and I crack up laughing as East huffs while Caro giggles. East offers a dip of his head like he’s surprised she’s giving it back to him equally. Their hands finally separate. Caro exhales like she’s in awe or something.

“So when are you up, East? I’m Lacy, by the way.”

“Hey, Lace. I’m hitting the waves tomorrow with my BAE here.” He bumps into Caro’s side, and she laughs.

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