Page 18 of Dahlias, Sapphires, and Cool Autumn Dusk
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Idon’t know what I thought a water polo match would be like, but it wasn’t what I expected. They treaded water, rushed up and down the pool, threw and caught. Marco seemed to be able to come entirely out of the water to block the ball, hanging in the air for what seemed like impossible seconds. Whistles blew, people shouted. They climbed in and out of the pool.
I didn’t understand the game, and I wasn’t sure how any of them didn’t drown. Every muscle in my body tensed, trying to be sure they were okay. Ultimately, Julian and Jeremy scored most of the points, passing smoothly between themselves, and Jeremy in particular seemed to almost have his back to the goal as he sank the shots.
The Dallas players were great, too, though, and I couldn’t help but think the teams were well- matched.
Barrett winced when Julian took a hard hit. “We’re really good for this area of the country. They’ll probably win States, but it’s nothing compared to how schools in Dallas play, and Dallas loses almost everything to the schools in California.”
I found his idea interesting. “So, you’re saying it’s a regional thing?”
“Development of the programs started at different times.” He shrugged. “Also, weather.”
“I guess that makes sense.”
The quarters were short, and the guys rotated in and out of the water in intervals so no one got too exhausted. They took elbows to the face, kicks to their bodies, and I couldn’t even see what was going on under the water. I never realized how brutal it was to play water polo. I knew they were tough, but they showed a whole different level of athleticism I couldn’t fathom.
No wonder Jeremy passed out on the couch face down and didn’t stir until woken. Maybe his shoulder really does hurt.
Julian got pulled for a foul, and the clock said he would be out for five minutes, although I missed his altercation. Everyone seemed to be doing everything at once, making it nearly impossible to track every single play.
But then the game ended, and we lost by one. They climbed out of the water, Julian shaking out his hair and Jeremy wrapping a towel around his waist.
They both turned and scanned the crowd for me, so I grinned and waved.
“Wow. That was…amazing,” I said, failing to come up with a better description.
Barrett nodded. “It was. They’re great. Come on, Phoenix, it’s over.”
He got to his feet and stretched. “I think I should avoid the pool when I feel like this.”
I sighed and bit my lip. Despite wanting to chastise him, I bit back the words from the tip of my tongue. He knew he shouldn’t use drugs, since I wasn’t lying when I said he was the smartest person in every room. If he chose to do them anyway…
“Do you need to get out of here?” I asked then took his hand.
“Yes,” he said and nodded. “Tell the wonder twins I enjoyed their game. See you later.”
He turned and left, dropping my hand without further comment. I blinked. Was he mad at the twins? I glanced at Barrett. “Did I miss something?”
He shrugged, watching his brother leave with concern. “It’s an old argument. We didn’t used to resist giving him shit for using. Actually, we gave him an ultimatum about getting clean and even staged an intervention. It all went down last spring, but as you can see, it was unsuccessful. We weren’t speaking to him much when you came along. He was pretty good this summer, so it seemed like maybe he was getting better. As if you really were the magic we know you are. But we’re back to the way things were, apparently. This is Phoenix during the school year. At least he got up this morning and was relatively with it all day. Try not to worry. It does nothing.”
I elbowed him. “I don’t want you to miss out on the college experience because you are worrying ” —I deliberately used the word— “aboutus.”
He laughed. “Listen, okay, point taken. I worry, but that’s not why I’m here. I’ve lived on my own in the city pretty much since I was fifteen years old. Yeah, I know it sounds fucked up, but that was when my parents really started to leave me alone. The twins kept their attention for about another year. Phoenix stayed with them because, by then, I think the parents didn’t have a clue what to do with us. I don’t need to go live in a college dorm to have independence. Besides, it’s mostly people puking from drinking too much. I have had my independence for a long time. What I want is to be with you.” He paused and lowered his voice. “And because we are who we are, I want to hang around with them while they hang around with you. Phoenix will pull it together eventually. For now, I want to go home and eat dinner with you.”
I leaned on his arm. “If you change your mind, if youeverchange your mind, I want you to know that I’ll get it.”
“I know you would.” He smiled at me. “Hard not to touch you. So hard. Okay, music club on Friday night?”
I grinned. “Sounds good.”
“Hey, new girl, ”a woman called, and I turned to see a tall brown-haired girl my age walking toward me in a bathing suit.
I glanced around, sure she was talking to someone else. “Me?”
“Yes, you. Have you figured out your PE requirement yet?” She put her hand on her hips, considering me grimly from her considerable height.
I swallowed, feeling as if a spotlight had been trained on me. “My what?”
