Текст книги "Unbreakable"
Автор книги: Adrienne Torrisi
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Chapter 4: Practice
TODD
I hate that she is swimming with him, spending every afternoon with him, while I’m stuck here at practice. And I’m sick of running laps. When I run, I have time to think, and I don’t want to think about any of it: Ashley in her bathing suit, him staring at her.
I squeeze my hands tighter and slam my feet against the track with more force. I’m taking my anger out on this run, and it feels great. I lose sight of everything else surrounding me except my feet pounding against the asphalt. Sweat is dripping down into my eyes, but I don’t care. I push harder, run harder. Every time I allow myself to think, I see his hands on her hips, his arms wrapped around her, his lips on hers, and I can’t take it. I hate this.
Then I hear Coach’s whistle. “Hamilton! We’re done. Hit the showers.”
I look around to find the track is empty and everyone is far across the field, walking toward the locker room.
“How many more did I run?”
“Two laps. I would have let you keep going, but I didn’t think you were going to stop on your own. You okay, son?”
No, I think as I run my fingers through my soaked hair, my shirt clinging to me, drenched with sweat. “Yeah, I’m good.”
Coach gives me a questioning smile, letting me know he doesn’t buy it, but he doesn’t push. “All right, just keep your head in the game. I know a lot of scouts are interested. You’re so close to the next level, don’t blow it. If you need to talk, I’m here.”
“Thanks, Coach. I’m good.” I give him a reassuring smile, though I’m pretty sure he doesn’t buy that either.
“What’s up, Forest Gump?” Brian says as I join them at the lockers after I’ve showered. They are already dressed and ready to go.
I need to pull it together.
“What’s going on, Todd?” Ryan asks, always the voice of reason.
“Nothing.” I shrug as I slide my shirt over my still wet chest.
“Maybe you should join the track team, our little track star!” Brian says in a high, motherly voice as he squeezes my shoulders.
“Shut up,” I tell him as I throw my stuff in my locker.
“Seriously, what’s up? You were in a zone out there,” Ryan says, his face filled with concern.
“I just felt like a good run today,” I excuse with a slam of my locker door. “I’m good.”
I don’t want to get into this here, and I don’t want to bring up Casey. This is between Ash and me.
Ryan studies me for a minute. I know he doesn’t buy it, just like Coach. “Okay. If you say so.”
***
As I pull into the town pool parking lot, I feel my anger building. I take a few deep breaths to calm myself down, because I know I need to pull it together before I go in there to meet up with Ash, but I’m not sure I can.
ASHLEY
The entire team is sitting around the edge of the pool as George runs through the game plan for our first meet.
When I feel Casey’s foot slip around mine under the water, I glance at him with a look that asks what he’s doing. He flashes his bright white smile at me, but he doesn’t pull his foot away.
“Casey?” I whisper under my breath.
“What?” he asks innocently.
“Your foot?” I say, pulling mine away.
“Oh, that.” He slides his foot back over toward mine and runs it along my foot.
This is all happening under the water, so on the surface, everything seems fine, normal even. In the water, however, there is some serious flirting going on, and we are just friends. Friends. He knows I’m with Todd. I don’t know what to think. Just when I thought I understood Casey, he does something like this. I need to make it clear that there is no us. No chance of us.
“Come on, Ash. We need to make the swim team interesting,” he whispers out of the side of his mouth while every other part of him looks like he’s listening intently to George.
“Casey, I’m with Todd. You know that.”
He gives me a quick, sly smile. “Yeah, but it’s not like you’re married.”
“It is exactly like that,” I say, returning his smile.
His smile doesn’t waver even for a second. “We’ll see.”
I pull my foot away with so much force it causes a splash in the water that breaks the silent stillness of the pool’s surface, pulling everyone’s attention away from George.
“Do you have something you want to say, Ashley?” George asks.
With all eyes now on me, I feel my cheeks burning, and I know they are bright red.
“Nope, I’m good,” I blurt out quickly. Fortunately, all eyes shift back to George.
“Okay, well, that’s it for today. That was a solid first practice. I’m glad we could keep the summer team together. We’re going to move practices to the indoor pool in the next few weeks when they close this one up for winter, but for now, we’ll keep meeting here. See you guys tomorrow.”
Everyone claps for no real reason, and then we start to move toward the bleachers to get our bags. I take my swim cap off, feeling my dry hair fall down my damp back.
“I’m really glad you can swim with us again, Ashley. Our team really needs you, especially on relay,” Janice, a small, spunky, blonde girl says with a smile.
“Thanks, Janice. Me, too. It’s good to have something to do after school other than watch my boyfriend play football.” I smile back.
“Oh, yeah? Who is your boyfriend? You go to Easthaven, right?”
I feel a hand swipe my hair around to one side and start to rub my shoulders. My immediate reaction is to fall into the touch—it feels so good—but as soon as realization sets in, I tense up.
I swing around to see Casey standing behind me.
“It doesn’t matter. He won’t be her boyfriend for very long,” Casey says with confidence.
“What is your problem?” I ask him, forgetting all about Janice.
He grins. “Maybe it’s your boyfriend.”
Janice looks back and forth between us, trying to figure out the meaning behind the words.
“Hey, Ash.” I hear Todd’s voice, and my stomach drops.
I know what this looks like: Casey’s hands on me, us standing so close to one another. I immediately pull away from Casey as Todd gives a gesture with his head as if to ask what is going on.
“Your boyfriend is Todd Hamilton?” Janice whispers to me with undertones of shock, which I don’t exactly appreciate. “Wow, I can’t wait to tell the girls at my school that God Todd is taken.” She says it so fast and matter-of-factly it’s as if it’s his real name. I can’t help giving a small laugh. Casey, on the other hand, doesn’t find it quite as amusing.
As Todd joins us, I can tell he is angry—his shoulders are squared, and I know he’s tense without even touching him.
Casey instinctively steps back when Todd slips his arms around me.
“How was practice?” He kisses me, and I feel wisps of his freshly showered hair brush against my cheek. His eyes don’t leave Casey, though, and I know there is so much more he wants to say.
“It was good.” I try to give him a tone that screams this is no big deal, but I can tell it’s not working. Casey isn’t backing down, either. I see him visibly stiffen.
Janice’s eyes continue to study both boys. She can tell something is off.
“Todd, this is Janice. Janice, this is Todd, my boyfriend,” I say with extra emphasis as I glare at Casey.
Todd gives a small head gesture since his arms are still wrapped around my waist. “It’s nice to meet you, Janice.”
I see her cheeks instantly flush bright red at the attention. I wonder if he realizes the affect he has on people. Casey definitely notices.
TODD
I’m pissed, and I’m pretty sure I’m not hiding it very well, but I don’t care. All of my fears already came true, and it’s only the first day. I can’t believe I walked in to see him touching her. I feel my grip territorially tighten around Ash’s waist, but I can’t help it with him. There’s something about his cocky smirk. I can’t believe I was ever friends with him.
“I need to talk to you.” I gesture to Casey with my chin, the words coming out before I can stop them.
“Sure,” he says as he steps closer to me.
“Not here. Break house.”
This is our pool from the summer. I know it like the back of my hand, and I’m pretty sure the locker room will be empty right now.
I see Ash give the other girl a look of panic out of the corner of my eye as we walk away. Only Ash knows exactly how I feel about Casey.
Sure enough, when we walk into the break house, we are the only two in here since the pool is closed and most of the swim team is already gone. It’s just us.
“Listen, we need to get a few things straight if this is going to work.” I’m uncertain where I’m going with this, but I’m going to drive myself crazy if I don’t say something. I hate this feeling. I hate being jealous, especially of him.
“If what is going to work?” Casey flashes me a smile that makes me want to punch his face in.
I step closer to him. “I know what you’re doing.”
“Oh, yeah? Enlighten me.” He takes a step toward me, bringing us way too close for a normal conversation, our faces inches from each other’s.
“Don’t touch her. Don’t stand next to her. Don’t even breathe next to her. Do you understand?” I feel my hands press into his chest.
“Or what?” He presses farther into my hands, making it clear he’s not backing down.
“I think you know what. We’ve done this before, Casey; do you want to go again?”
“Stop it!” I hear Ash scream. I didn’t even hear the door open.
Both of our heads snap toward where she and Janice are standing, and then we both instantly put space between us.
“Hey, Ash.” I try to sound casual, like I wasn’t just about to kill Casey.
“Your boyfriend here has a jealous streak,” Casey says with a grin.
He’s enjoying this. He is such an asshole. I feel my fists tighten at my side as I step closer to him without even thinking.
Suddenly, Ash’s hands are on my chest, pushing me back.
“Shut up, Casey.” She glares at him, and I can’t help the smile that forms on my lips.
Ashley’s friend is stunned silent. She definitely didn’t see any of this coming, but that doesn’t stop Ashley.
“He’s got a good reason to be, don’t ya think? You and I are friends. Just friends. Teammates. That’s it. Swimming teammates. You should go for Janice; she’s cute.” Ash gestures toward her friend.
I have never seen someone turn as red as this girl is turning. “Um, I have a boyfriend, but thanks.”
“Okay, so maybe not Janice,” Ashley quickly jumps back in, “but someone else. Not me. I’m taken.” She interlocks her fingers with mine, making my love for her grow more and more every second.
“Whatever, Ash. You’ll come around.” Casey gives her his classic smirk.
I can’t take it anymore. Before I know what is happening, I feel my fist connect with his face.
“Todd!” Ash screams, and I hear an “Oh my God,” which I’m pretty sure came from Janice.
I don’t think Casey thought I would actually do it. I didn’t think I would, either, but I needed to shut him up.
My hand is killing me, so I try to open and close it to ease the pain shooting through it.
“What the fuck?” Casey asks as he holds his jaw, his face full of shock and anger.
“You know exactly what. Someone needed to wipe that smirk off your face.”
“You seriously have issues, man. Ashley and I are just friends. I was just messing with you,” Casey spits out.
I feel my body stiffen, and I start to lunge again, but Ash pulls back on my arm.
“Stop, Todd. It’s not worth it. This is what he wants you to do. Just stop it.” Her eyes are locked on mine as she wedges her way between us.
I squeeze my eyes shut and shake my head. She’s right. What am I doing?
“What the hell is going on in here?” George shouts as he pushes through the door. I didn’t see Janice leave, but she must have gone to get him, because she is now cowering behind him.
“Todd? Casey?” George looks back and forth between the two of us. “What is going on?”
Casey drops his hand from his chin, and his eyes connect with mine, a quick, nonverbal understanding passes between us.
“Nothing,” he says to George, sounding surprisingly convincing. “We were just talking, catching up.”
George’s tense shoulders drop when he sees everything is under control, but then he glares at both of us. “Well, let’s not ‘catch up’ in the break house anymore. Understood?”
“Yup, we got it,” I say, feeling my stress fall away.
“Okay, let’s go. I’ve got to lock up,” George says to the entire group. He gives a quick smile to Janice, who gives him a shrug.
Once George clears out, Ash shouts, “Seriously?” to all of us then turns to Janice. “You had to get George?”
“Well, someone had to. They were going to kill each other,” she responds with a nervous laugh.
“Who, us?” I say with sweet sarcasm. “No, Casey and I go way back. Right, Casey?” I give him a smile.
“Yeah. Way back.” He runs his hand back over his chin, his smirk planted back on his face.
I lock my fingers with Ash’s. “Remember what I said.” I give him one last glare mixed with warning before we turn to leave.
“Bye, guys,” Ash says to both of them.
I turn back. “It was nice meeting you, Janice.” I give her a bright smile and try not to laugh at the stunned look on her face.
Once we are in the parking lot, truly alone, I whisper to Ash, “Sorry. I didn’t mean to get that carried away.” Then I make sure to have my lips brush her earlobe as I pull away because I know it drives her crazy.
“I can’t believe you hit him.” She gives me a smile that sums up everything I love about her.
“Yeah, I guess we’ve got a lot in common.” I grab her other hand as I lean her against my car.
“Yeah, we’ve had a lot of ‘misunderstandings’ lately.” She steps up on her tiptoes to kiss me with a smile.
I could stand here forever with her, but I know they are right behind us.
“Let’s go before they come out.” I walk around to open her car door. “Oh, and hey, I would be careful with that girl Janice. Getting George? Not cool.”
She gives me a smile. “She was just nervous. She’s not used to you two like I am.” I feel her fingers tighten around mine. “Thanks for picking me up.”
She has a way of making me forget everything.
“Anytime.” I smile deeply.
Chapter 5: The Rescue
ASHLEY
The boys won their first two football games. I say won, but tonight, they killed the other team. Johnny got to play in the fourth quarter because we were up by so much. The team looks even better than last year, if that is possible.
Next week is homecoming, and I can’t believe how much has changed since last year’s homecoming dance. Of course, I must have done something horrible to the Karma gods since, this year we play Casey’s school for our homecoming game.
Thankfully, there have been no Todd/Casey fights in the afternoons since the first day, and hopefully it stays that way. They have both been keeping their distance, while I have been making sure I’m ready to go as soon as practice is over, waiting for Todd in the parking lot so there is no reason for him to come in.
I hear my phone buzzing on my dresser and walk over to check it as I slip on my pajama bottoms, seeing there’s a text from Todd.
Come to the window.
A smile instantly forms on my lips as I pull my curtains back. There’s Todd, two stories down, standing under my window, still wearing his jersey from the game tonight.
I open my window and yell down, “What are you doing?”
He starts to laugh. “Shh.” He holds up his phone and gestures to type on it.
You are not very good at this.
Ha. Ha. Funny, I type back. What are you doing?
I’m rescuing you.
I give him a smile out of the window as I type back, From what?
He smiles up at me once he hits send. From a boring life.
I automatically start to shout back down, but he holds up his phone then points to it with a crooked smile that melts my heart. I would go anywhere with him, do anything.
How? I type back.
Climb down … ledge to tree.
I stare down at him like he has lost his mind. There is no way.
I’m scared of heights, remember????
I see him start to laugh as he reads my text. Then he types something back and looks up with a smile.
You can do it. One step at a time.
I close my eyes and look at the big tree branch that is inches away from my window. As a kid, it always scared me. I knew it was going to break through my window, wrap itself around me, and take me in the middle of the night. Thinking back now, I realize that sounds ridiculous. However, when you are eight, and it’s pitch black in your room, it seems totally possible.
My phone buzzes in my hand, but instead of reading his text I look down at where Todd is standing. He has such a hopeful smile. I just wish he wasn’t so far down. I glance back at my phone to read his latest text.
I love you.
Everything melts away: my fear of heights, my worries about my parents being down the hall, the fact that I’m breaking every one of their rules. I have a boyfriend who loves me, and I love him more than anything.
Screw it. Who cares if I fall to my death? At least he will be there to catch me, hopefully.
Ok, I type back and then throw on my sneakers because I’m all for spontaneity, but there is no way I am climbing out of my window wearing flip-flops.
I quickly shut my lights off and prop my pillow under my comforter. I seriously doubt this will fool my parents, but I have seen it in movies, so it’s worth a shot. I already said goodnight to them; therefore, they shouldn’t come in. Regardless, taking extra precautions never hurt anyone.
Seeing the smile on Todd’s face when I reappear at the window is priceless and worth falling two stories for, as long as it results in a broken bone and not anything more serious. Todd is totally worth a broken leg, but permanent brain damage, maybe not.
STOP!Just concentrate on the branch. I have seriously gone insane.
Todd’s words bounce through my head, One step at a time. I make it to the branch, which is much easier than I imagined.
“You’ve got it, Ash,” he shout-whispers up to me.
“Now what?” I whisper back to him.
He gestures to the giant base of the tree. “Climb down the trunk.”
Luckily, there are branches all the way down that lead me to the ground. It’s as if some divine force created steps just for me, like it was specifically designed to sneak out of my room. Thank you, scary tree.
“You did it.” Todd wraps his arms around me and lifts me off the ground.
“I know,” I say with a smile I can’t hide as I look up at the tree and relish in what I just accomplished. “Wait, how am I going to get back in?”
“Don’t worry, I’ll help you.” I always feel so safe with him. I know he won’t let anything happen to me.
“Thank you for rescuing me.” I press my lips against his with enough force to let him know just how thankful I am. “So where are we going?”
“You’ll see. Cute PJs, by the way.”
I look down to see I’m wearing my Peas on Earth PJ bottoms with peas dancing on top of globes. In the excitement, I totally forgot to change. Damn. I feel my cheeks burning with embarrassment.
He runs his thumbs over my reddening cheeks. “Hey, I love them, and I love when you blush.” He leans down and kisses me with his incredibly soft lips. Then his fingers intertwine with mine as we stealthily run to his car.
I don’t know why I keep looking from side to side as if my parents have been waiting for me outside, but somehow, it makes me feel better. Luckily, we make it to Todd’s car unnoticed.
“Tonight, we are celebrating,” He says with the brightest smile I’ve seen in a long time as we pull into the town pool parking lot.
“Oh, yeah?” I question as I bite my bottom lip. I’m not sure what we are doing here in the middle of the night.
He gives me his crooked smile as he opens his car door. “Yup. Come on.”
I return his smile as he opens the door for me. “Um … I’m pretty sure the pool is closed.”
“Precisely.” He intertwines his fingers with mine, and for the first time, I notice he’s carrying a big duffle bag.
“What’s in the bag?” I try to peek in, but his reflexes are faster than mine. He pulls it away before I even get a glimpse.
The next thing I know, we are standing at the emergency-exit gate, and Todd is punching in a code. Within seconds, he has it open.
“We’re in.” He gives me a sly smile with a quick kiss. There is no hesitation on his part, not for second.
“Does George know we’re here?”
“No, Ash. That’s the point.”
“Are you feeling okay? I’m not sure I’m clear on what the point is we’re trying to make. Is it getting arrested? Is that the point? Because I’m pretty sure there are cameras in there.”
“Well, it wouldn’t be nearly as much fun if we asked for permission. And there are no cameras where we’re going; I checked.” He glances over and catches the nerves I’m wearing all over my face. “Hey, don’t worry. We’re good.” He steps in close to me and cradles my face with one hand as his other holds the gate open. His face is inches from mine, and then he kisses me deeply. “Now, come on.”
Before I know it, Todd pulls out our blanket from the field and two towels. Then he gently lays the blanket out on the side of the pool.
The sky is filled with bright, sparkling stars, and the pool is illuminated by the underwater lights. It’s as if it’s glowing, surrounded by the darkness of the night. The warm air kisses the night’s sky. It’s the kind of warm that feels like summer is never going to end, even though it’s early October.
The pathway is lit by what looks like old-fashioned gas lanterns, but they are filled with glowing light bulbs instead of fire. The grounds are beautiful at night. Still. Silent. It’s just us. We are truly alone. It takes on a different meaning being here at night, having the entire place to ourselves, with only the stars and pool lights giving us light.
“Too bad I don’t have a bathing suit,” I say matter-of-factly.
“Who needs a bathing suit?” Todd flashes me a mischievous grin as he takes off his jersey then starts to unbutton his shorts, his eyes never leaving mine. He’s standing there in just boxers, and I can’t get enough of each contour of his perfectly defined body.
He steps closer to me. “Need help?” he asks, his look so intent, so focused as he pulls my thin, cotton shirt over my head. I’m suddenly grateful I only changed into my PJ bottoms since I’m still wearing my bra. “Let’s keep going.” He effortless unsnaps my bra.
Oh, well, so much for still having my bra.
With each move, he is gentle, and within the blink of an eye, the only thing covering both of us is the cool water from the pool. I have always loved the water, but this brings my appreciation for feeling it envelope my body to an entirely new level.
I feel his warm chest against mine as the cool water tickles my skin. His kisses are deep and full of intensity. I can’t help kissing him back just as deeply. There is electricity between us. I want him, all of him. I don’t care that we could get caught or that I snuck out of my room. I don’t care about anything, only him.
I twirl my tongue around his, pressing my body farther into his as he runs his hands over my soaked hair, the heat of our bodies enveloped by the cool water. I adore the feeling of strength that surrounds me as his arms wrap around my waist. Then he runs his hands over my arms, noticing my goose bumps.
“Are you cold?” he whispers.
Smiling at him as our gazes connect, my heart stops at the beauty of his eyes reflecting off the color of the water. His long, black eyelashes are even more defined, and his brown hair is almost black because it’s drenched as it hangs in his eyes. I push his hair back so there are no obstacles to keep me from enjoying the view.
“I’m good,” I say as I wrap my legs around him.
Feeling him hold me up in the water makes me want him even more, and I know he feels the same way as he presses into me.
It’s exhilarating to be here with him, but it’s also crazy. This is where we worked, where I swim every afternoon, where we couldn’t even hold hands when we walked through the gates over the summer. Now we are here in this same pool—our pool—and I can’t help all of these thoughts running through my head.
“Hey.” I hear his voice and look up to see the smile in his eyes. “What are you thinking about?”
My lips turn up in a smile. “You and how incredible this is. Thank you for rescuing me. When I saw you outside my window, I never thought this was where we were going. What are we celebrating, anyway?”
His smile deepens; but I feel him ever so slightly pull away. “Penn State called my parents; they want me to kick for them. The scout is coming to the homecoming game.” His eyes shift away. “It’s not definite until you get an official offer, but it looks really good.”
I don’t break my smile, but inside I am breaking. I knew this was coming, but now that it’s here and almost a reality, I hate it.
“That’s so great,” I choke out, knowing he can see through me.
“You’re not excited,” he says as his long fingers run over my hair.
“Well, this means you’re definitely going away.” I look up at him, trying to hide my disappointment behind my smile.
“Come on, Ash. We knew that. I mean, it’s not like there is a local school down the street with a football team, ready to hand out scholarships.”
I look down at the glowing, rippling water, grateful to have something else to focus on. I wish I could remove myself from this conversation, from this reality, from these feelings. With my throat getting tight, I squeeze my eyes shut to try to hold back the tears that are welling up.
The water is so peaceful, so calming, so beautiful. Focus on the water, only the water. But I can’t.
I finally find the strength to meet his eyes again. The expression all over his face tells me he knows exactly how I feel. He can read me perfectly.
“I’m sorry, Ash,” he whispers as his thumbs glide over my cheekbones.
“I know,” I whisper back as a tear falls down my cheek. I hate that tear. I hate that I can’t just be happy for him.
“Hey.” He gently pulls my face closer to his. “Stop it. We have a whole year, and Penn State isn’t that far. Plus, we have Skype and lots of phone sex to look forward to.” He smiles, letting me know he’s joking.
I can’t help laughing. He can always make me feel better, and that makes me miss him more already.
“Know what I haven’t done in a long time?”
“What?” I give him a sideways glance, almost afraid of what he’s going to say.
“A handstand.” With that, he dives through the water.
I see his legs and feet sticking up in sort of a straight line, and I burst out laughing at how ridiculous he looks. As he pops back out of the water, his kid-like grin makes me want to jump in his arms again.
“Come on. Let’s see what you’ve got, Miss Professional Swim Team Swimmer.”
“Oh, yeah? You want to go there? I don’t think you want to go there,” I tell him, trying desperately to keep a serious face, before I cut through the water.
I know my handstand kills his. My legs are perfectly straight, my toes pointed. If this were an Olympic sport, I would have nailed the gold.
As I break the surface, his contagious laugh fills the air.
“Impressive.” He rubs his chin as if he is in deep concentration, studying my form.
“Shut up.” I swim up to him and kiss him. Then I push him under the water and kiss him again as we float under the surface.
I feel the water swirl around us as elation rushes through me. We both separate to really see one another through the haze of the water, and then we break the surface together, laughing at how outrageous yet amazing this is.
We give each other a knowing smile, we are thinking the same thing, and then we drop back down beneath the surface. Who needs to breathe when you can kiss?
His breath floats into me and mine into him as we kiss each other intensely, knowing we only have a few seconds before we need to break the surface to take a deep breath. We both can’t stop smiling through each kiss as we go back under the water, again and again. We feel like kids in the playground, trying to beat the clock to make the most of the moment, to see who will break first. Todd pulls me up.
“I love you, Ash.” He wipes the water droplets away from my eyes.
“I love you, too,” I say back as I run my hands over his strong jawline.
Todd’s smile drops away, but his eyes remain locked on mine. “I know we’re going to be okay.”
A shiver runs through my body with those words, and I know he’s right.
“Just like the tree, one step at a time.” I smile.
The corners of his lips turn up in a smile. “Yeah, exactly. One step at a time.”
That’s my new motto for this year.
One step at a time, I repeat to myself.
