Page 62 of Unspoken Truths

I ask my questions to Bryce, getting enthusiastic answers before thanking him for his time.

“Any time,” he says. “To be honest, it’s been awhile since we’ve gotten a spotlight in the newspaper. Make us look good!”

Giving me a lazy two-fingered wave, Bryce walks away before I turn to Jared.

“He has a girlfriend,” Jared says callously. “I wouldn’t get attached to anyone who’s vaguely nice to you, Little Mouse.”

“Whatever,” I mutter. “I just need to ask you a couple of questions.”

“May I interrupt for just a moment?” A tall, older man walks over to us, a small nod showing that he sees that we’re speaking.

“Hello, Calvin,” Jared murmurs softly. There’s a deference in the way he moves, his arms crossing over his chest. None of the swimmers bothered to throw a sweater or anything on, and I vaguely wonder if he’s cold in those tiny swimming speedos.

“I’m leaving now, I wanted to tell you that you performed very well,” Calvin says. “Your parents asked to be video called while you swam.”

“I was slower than I should have been,” Jared says with a wince. “My turn needed to be tighter.”

I didn’t see any of that.

“No,” Calvin says, shaking his head sharply. “Your parents would also disagree with you. There was strength in your swimming today. I don’t believe you could have done anything differently. While there’s always room for improvement, and we should never sit on our laurels, your performance was as it needed to be.”

Jared’s slow blink as he nods shows that he’s unused to being praised. Lili told me his parents travel a lot, making me wonder if this is why Calvin is here, whoever he may be to Jared. The man is wearing a full suit, appearing to know Jared well.

“Thank you,” Jared says softly.

“Of course,” Calvin says. “I’ll see you at home, sir. Oh, and miss?”

My mind is whirling as I realize he must work for Jared and his family, so my nod is automatic as Calvin speaks to me.

“Is there any way I can have some of the photos you took of Jared?” he asks.

“I’m developing them in the next couple of days, but I’ll also have digital too. One of them is also sure to end up in the story as well. Which form would you prefer?” I ask politely.

Jared is staring at me as if I’ve grown a second head, but I don’t care. I’m polite to everyone except people who don’t deserve it. Calvin hasn’t done anything to me yet.

“Color would be wonderful,” Calvin says excitedly. It’s clear he cares about Jared, and I smile softly at him.

“I’ll develop some extras in color for you. I haven’t worked with film in years, so this will be good practice for me. I can set it aside for Jared to pick up,” I tell him.

“Wonderful. May I ask how you became the newspaper’s photographer?” Calvin asks.

“I needed an elective through one of the clubs, and I used to love photography when I was younger,” I explain. “My girlfriend suggested that I jump back into photography for the newspaper.”

I may as well get used to openly claiming Lili, even if it is to a total stranger. The more I do it, the easier it’ll get without tripping over my words, and to be honest I have butterflies just from talking about her.

“I’m glad. You light up when you talk about it,” Calvin says with a smile. “It’s important to follow the things that make you happy. Bye now.”

Jared blows out a breath as Calvin leaves, pulling off his goggles and swimming cap.

“I’m freezing, Little Mouse, so let’s move this to the locker room. I need a shower,” he grunts, surprising me.

“I have a name, Jared,” I growl as he starts to walk away, his flip flops loud as he leaves.

Not thinking, I stomp after him, enraged. Is he fucking kidding me right now?

“Why do you have to be such a pain?” I yell, my voice echoing in the empty hall.

“I told you I’m cold, Jesus,” he complains, banging the door open to the locker room. “I didn’t say you couldn’t ask your fucking questions.”

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