Page 2 of Freestyle
We make our way to the swim team’s mansion, which is always a breathtaking sight. It’s a luxurious haven that feels almost like stepping into a dream. A manicured lawnstretches out like a lush, green carpet dotted with vibrant flower beds and towering palm trees swaying gently in the breeze.
The bass of the music is so powerful it reverberates through the floor before we even step inside. The crowd pulses with energy, laughter, and excitement, and I can’t help but feel a spark of exhilaration as we cross the threshold.
“See? Isn’t this better than working another shift?” Lyndsy shouts over the music, nudging me playfully. I grin, feeling the energy of the party start to lift my spirits.
“Okay, you might be right this time,” I concede. We weave our way through the sea of bodies, greeting familiar faces and soaking up the electric atmosphere.
“Come on. Let’s get a drink,” she yells over her shoulder.
We make it to the kitchen where the makeshift bar is always set up. The bartender, a fellow student, winks at us as he mixes a concoction of colorful liquids before us.
“What can I get you ladies?” He flashes his dimples as he runs his hand through his tousled black hair.
Lyndsy leans in, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Surprise us with something fun and sexy,” she says, flashing a grin. The guy nods, his hands moving deftly as he mixes the drinks. I glance around the room, taking in the lively atmosphere. The kitchen is buzzing with people,laughter and conversation filling the air. He hands us two drinks, the colors swirling together like a tropical sunset. “Here you go, ladies. Enjoy!”
I raise it in a toast to Lyndsy. “To fabulous nights and fabulous asses!”
Lyndsy laughs, clinking her cup against mine. “Cheers to that!”
“Lyndsy! Rowyn!” A voice cuts through the noise, and we spot Fallon waving us over to a table where a few of the swim team members are lounging.
We wade through the party goers and I settle into a chair, the wooden surface vibrating with the music. “We miss you! How’ve you been?” I ask, glad I decided to come out tonight, because I haven’t seen Fallon in what feels like forever.
“There’s never a dull moment, that’s for sure.” She laughs, pointing over to the other side of the room where her boyfriend, Remy, is chatting with his two ridiculously hot friends. Grayson Ford is Lyndsy’s older brother and another member of the elite Sharks. The other guy I’ve seen around, but I don’t know his name.
“Typical. He’s always the life of the party. How did you manage to tame him, Fal?” I inquire, genuinely curious.
“Oh, I didn’t tame him. He’s just a little more sane with me staying here, but don’t get me wrong, he still drives me upthe damn wall,” she laughs. “But I just looked at him, and something clicked. You know?”
My heart flutters at her words. Love is such a whimsical thing. I often wonder if I could find someone like that, but of course, my reality doesn’t have time for such fantasies.
A new song blares through the speakers, making Lyndsy jump from her seat. “We love this song, Row!” she yells as she drags me to the dance floor. We’re swept into the tide of people moving to the beat. The atmosphere is electric, filled with laughter. Our drinks slosh, but that doesn’t stop us from dancing the moves along with everyone else.
I can feel the bass thumping through my veins, my body moving almost instinctively to the rhythm. Lyndsy and I dance together, our movements perfectly in sync. The exhilaration of the music and the crowd lifts my spirits higher than they’ve been in weeks. For a moment, all the stress and exhaustion disappear. I’m just a girl having the time of her life with her best friend.
We laugh as we try to keep up with the fast-paced moves, our drinks splashing with every spin and jump. The song reaches its peak and we throw our arms up in celebration, letting out a cheer.
As the song ends, Lyndsy pulls me into a tight hug, her eyes shining with happiness. “I told you this would be fun!”
“You were right. This is exactly what I needed.” I laugh, breathless and exhilarated.
As I lose myself in the music, a strange prickling sensation runs down my spine. It’s a feeling of being watched. I glance around the room, scanning the crowd until my eyes lock onto two pairs staring back at me from across the dance floor.
The first set of deep brown eyes is familiar—Gray. The other set is a striking green, belonging to the mystery guy who’s always with Remy and Gray. There’s an intensity in their gazes that sends a shiver through me, adding a different kind of thrill to the night.
I can’t help but feel a mix of curiosity and excitement. Lyndsy, oblivious to the gazes from across the room, continues to dance with abandon.
I try to shake off the prickling sensation and focus on the music, but my eyes keep drifting back to Gray and his friend. There’s something about their stares—intense, almost magnetic—that draws me in. I force myself to look away and rejoin Lyndsy in the dance, determined not to let them get under my skin. It’s making me feel self conscious, and thoughts creep back in from my younger years.
These guys are used to getting their way; it’s common knowledge. Shark’s muscular bodies and confident postures make all the girls fall straight to their knees.Disgusting.
I turn around, not wanting to play into their little games, because I’ve seen all too well how they end. Guys like them are nothing but trouble, and that’s something I definitely don’t have time for. But even as I move through the crowd, I can still feel the heat of their eyes following my every move.
Lyndsy, ever the social butterfly, grabs my arm. “Come on, let’s go say hi to my brother!” she chirps, pulling me toward them.
I hesitate for a moment. “You go ahead, Lynds. I’m gonna grab another drink,” I say, slipping away before she can protest.
As I weave through the crowd, I try to shake off the weird feeling and focus on the rhythm of the music, the vibrant energy of the party. I’m here to have fun, not get caught up in drama. As I stand at the bar, waiting for my drink, I can’t escape the lingering sensation of their gaze. It’s like a magnetic pull, drawing me back to them despite my better judgment.
