Page 48 of Forever Yours

“Sounds like him. Every time he went up against Highland, he would tell me how terrified he was to go up against you. How good you were. He was spot on.”

Humility had me replying, “I was nowhere near as good as Jayson Jameson from Fallen Brook.”

“I beg to differ. You were better. Better technique. Better average times. You, Elijah Barnes, were the total package.”

Well, damn. I wasn’t used to such high praise, and I knew I was blushing seven different shades of red at his compliments.

“Thank you.”

Mr. Winters stopped briefly at the reception desk and picked up a pile of sticky notes left next to the phone. “Mr. Jameson was all flash, whereas you were raw talent. Big difference.”

I definitely would not repeat that to Jayson.

Feeling slightly uncomfortable being compared to my friend, I told him, “I know Jayson. He’s my boyfriend’s twin brother.”

“So you know he dropped out of the swim program and turned down the scholarship.”

Needing to defend Jayson, I replied, “He’s dealing with a lot of stuff right now. He recently lost his best friend.”

I decided that was better than saying girlfriend. I also wasn’t going to come out and say,Hey, remember that horrific triple murder in April that was all over the news where a girl watched her family being butchered before the attacker stabbed her and left her for dead? That was his girlfriend. He lived next door and was the one to find them the next morning.

“I’m very sorry to hear that. I told him if he changed his mind, a spot on the team would always be open for him. If you were still swimming, I’d have snatched you up in a heartbeat.”

Dammit. Hearing that affected me more than I’d care to admit. Just anotherwhat ifin the long line I’d already accrued.

We circled back from reception and meandered along the periphery of the pool near the deep end that went to a depth of eighteen feet. Having no clue where Mr. Winters was leading me, I listened as he pointed out some of the new upgrades made within the last five years. Underwater speakers, new sliding glass windows that could be opened to allow in fresh air and better ventilation during the summer months, the more than two-thousand acoustical tiles that were installed in the ceiling to help dampen the cavernous noise, the new flow gutters. Pride in the facility was evident in the way he spoke. Since he’d become director four years ago, the CU swim team had won three Atlantic coast conferences.

Leaving the pool deck, he took me through a short hallway to an elevator that had the CU crest emblazoned in the middle of the double stainless-steel doors. The gaping, sharp-toothed mouth of the CU Wildcat split open sideways when the elevator arrived and the doors opened.

“I think you’re going to love this,” he said, pressing a button labeled G.

It took only seconds before the double doors swooshed open, and we were looking at the pool. From under the water. Like those viewing areas at Sea World where kids could get an up-close look at the orcas as they swam.

“This is so cool.” I flattened a palm to the glass before I thought better of it. “Sorry,” I apologized when I saw the large handprint I’d left.

“You should see what it looks like after a field trip from the local elementary school. Peanut butter smears are the worst.” Leaning back against the wall, he tapped the rolled-up forms I’d given him against his thigh.

“Will you be able to work afternoons Tuesday through Friday and Saturday mornings?”

I shifted my feet and pivoted around. “I’m hired?”

I thought there’d at least be an interview and checking of references.

“I’d be the dumbest swim director in history if I didn’t hire one of the best swimmers I’d ever seen grace the water.”

And there went my cheeks, all red and flushed again at his plaudits.

“Do you have class now?” he asked, beckoning me to follow him back to the elevator.

“Not for another hour and a half.”

“Good. Let’s get these forms signed off on, go over your schedule, duties, and pay, and find you a shirt and jacket. You get to wear your own swim trunks as long as they’re a solid color. No patterns or logos.”

Well, damn. I had a job. Just like that.

I couldn’t wait to tell Julien.

CHAPTER 14

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