Page 53 of The Sea Witch's Son

“You got this, Finley!”

He glances towards the bleachers and I give him a wave.

“That’s not going to go down well.”

I frown, turning to face Tahira, “Am I not allowed to cheer before the race?”

"Oh, you are.” A gleam hits her eyes, “I was talking about the other man vying for your attention.”

Gulping down a breath, I turn my attention to the pool deck. Marlin is standing off to the side, wearing nothing but a pair of sweatpants over his racing suit. He’s talking to Sebastian but his eyes are focused on me.

My body buzzes with awareness as I stare back at him, trying not to let my gaze drop onto the rippling muscle below.

“Go, Finley, go!”

Despite chanting his name the entire race, I couldn’t say whether he won the heat or not. My attention was wholly fixated on the man watching me.

“She likes to poke the bear, doesn’t she?” Tahira chuckles, leaning over to rest her head on Calista’s shoulder, “Reminds me of someone else I know.”

“Mm, she is delightful.”

There’s a purr to Calista’s voice and I do my best not to make eye contact.

As much as I hate to admit it, Marlin is the most interesting to watch. He dominates the pool in a way the other swimmers don’t, his effortless strokes and meticulous breathing techniques securing him a win in every race.

The humid air presses down on the thick cotton of my blouse, and by the time the next event rolls around, there’s sweat sticking to the back of my neck.

“How much is left?” I tug uncomfortably at my shirt, “I can’t believe everyone stayed this long.”

“Like I said, the naked bodies pull quite the crowd.” Calista smirks, “Just one last event and then you can find a tall drink of water.”

The salacious tone has me narrowing my eyes. Tahira snickers, her eyes flicking over the men already initiating cool down.

“Marlin doesn’t compete in this event. Feel free to go quench your thirst.”

I grit my teeth and stay seated.

“That’s odd.” Calista suddenly leans forward, “The timers are being called in for a meeting.”

We watch as the first heat gets pulled down from the blocks. Finley is among them, his playful smile nowhere to be seen as he joins the discussion.

“Samson is being bumped to a faster heat. Strange since he doesn’t have a seed time.”

“Why would they move him?”

Calista shrugs, “To make room for another swimmer. Must be a last-minute addition.”

Seedlings of dread bloom in my belly. Finley, who was in the fastest lane, gets bumped to the one beside it, leaving room for the newcomer.

Tahira starts to laugh, “He is a tenacious bastard, you have to give him that.”

We watch Marlin step up to the empty block.

“This can’t be allowed. He’s way faster than all those guys out there.” My voice is an octave too high, my palms a touch too sweaty.

Calista grins, “He doesn’t normally compete in this event, so he doesn’t have a seed time.”

“Oh God.”

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