Page 21 of Redeem
“Are we done now?” Madden asks. I chuckle, trying to get out of the deep feelings swirling around in my chest.
“Yeah, we’re done.”
“Let’s go have some fun.” Madden says as he stands. His eyes flash dark and I know Madman is lurking under there. I nod and Keegan finishes beer and stands.
“Let’s go fuck some shit up.” I grin.
CHAPTER16
ADDIE / ISABELLA
Serena shuts her locker, leaning back against it, and huffs. “Remind me again why I signed up for swimming?”
“Because it beats doing math,” I reply, throwing my towel over my shoulder. “I didn’t get a choice, but I’m sure it's better than that.”
“You got me there. It’s just so much harder swimming in winter.” She kicks off her locker, and we head into the pool area. The chlorine-filled air tickles my nose, but at least it’s warm in here.
It’s been so good having my friends back, and Olivia has finally left me alone. Well, not completely, but at least she’s not trying to activity piss me off. I think she understands that I’ll hurt her if she tries anything with Keegan.
“Fuck me, babe. I forgot how good you look in a bathing suit.” Keegan comes up, sliding his arm over my shoulder, and presses a kiss to my cheek. “You’d look even better without one,” he whispers into my ear and my cheeks heat.
“Stop being all cute and shit.” Serena groans. “Some of us haven’t gotten laid in weeks.”
“Not my fault you’re into older guys, and everyone here—in your words—is ‘too young’ for you,” I say with a grin.
“Truth,” she says, throwing her towel onto the bench seat.
“Coach said you’re with me again, babe. You still need that one-on-one attention.” Keegan winks, grabbing a handful of my ass.
I swat him away, laughing.
He grabs my hand and pulls me toward the other side of the pool, straight to the starting blocks. I stop, ripping my arm out of his grip. “Nope, no way I’m diving off that,” I say with a shake of my head.
Keegan grins. “Come on, babe. It’ll do you good.”
“Did you forget I almost drowned last time?” I swear everyone forgets that.
He hops up onto the block, fastening his goggles. “The only way you get over a fear is by diving headfirst into it.” He grabs the edge of the block, giving me the perfect view of his ass in his Speedo. He leans back, then dives into the water like a pro.
I rush over to the edge of the pool just as he resurfaces, grinning. “Now it’s your turn.” He points to the block and starts treading water.
I look back to the block, then to the deep water. This is crazy. I’m not the best swimmer and I’ve sworn off deep water since that near-drowning event. But Keegan does have a point. The only way I’m going to get over my fear is by facing it. If I hadn’t escaped my life back in New York, I’d still be there, and Roxbury Prep would’ve never happened.
With a deep breath, I stand up on the block, and my legs start to tremble as I look down at the water.
“I’m here, babe. I’ve got you,” Keegan says and I trust that he will save me.
He pulls his goggles off his head and throws them up. Catching them, I place them over my eyes. I lean down, grabbing the edge of the block, and keep my eyes focused on Keegan. Before I can even think of backing out, I leap off the block.
The cool water engulfs me before strong arms wrap around my waist, pulling me to the surface. I’m met with Keegan’s goofy grin. He claims my mouth, and I almost go back under, but he catches me, laughing.
“Keep kicking your legs and move your arms like this.” Keegan kicks back, leaving me on my own.
My heart rate hammers against my bathing suit, but I manage to keep myself up before my legs start to become heavy and sore. Keegan grabs my arm, pulling me toward the shallow end of the pool until my feet can touch the ground.
“My leg muscles are not used to that. Swimming is so hard,” I groan, ripping off the goggles and passing them back to Keegan.
“Yeah, but you’ll get used to it and be a pro in no time. When you’re under the water, you can forget the world. It’s just you and silence. It’s fucking perfect,” Keegan says his eyes lighting up.
