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“Nothing. I didn’t think I’d meet you while I was here, honestly. I just…I don’t know. Never mind.”
I don’t know how to put this fragile feeling into words. How being around him feels different than spending time with anyone else. How he’s the cocky, talented superstar everyone sees but entirely different.
Beck lets his fingertips trail along the surface of the water, leaving symmetrical ripples behind. “All I know about you is that you’re American, you’re decent on the pitch, and you’ve broken a lot of hearts.”
I splash him. “I’m more than decent. Good was the word you used, and I’ve never broken anyone’s heart.”
He raises both eyebrows now.
“Fine. Maybe I’ve bruised a couple of egos,” I acquiesce.
Beck laughs at that, a husky sound that cuts through the cold.
“And you’re hardly one to talk.”
He doesn’t deny it. “I was young and horny and girls were…interested.”
I snort. “Was?”
“It got old.”
“No strings sex? You might want to save that for a girl you didn’t fuck in your club’s supply closet.”
“How old were you when your mom left?” He asks the question with no preamble, not even attempting to smooth the transition. Like he wants me to notice he’s asking, not slowly realize we’ve switched topics.
“Five. And if you’re going to try to turn this into some therapy session, don’t.”
“This isn’t a therapy session. It’s a date.”
I blink at him. “What? No, it’s not. It’s…we’re…this is exercising. Training.”
“We’re standing in water.”
“This is not a date,” I tell him firmly.
He shrugs, neither arguing nor agreeing. The ambiguity sparks some panic inside of me.
“Why didn’t you let me touch you last time?” I ask, suddenly needing some answers about our…whatever this thing is.
“Why do you care that I didn’t?” he replies.
I huff a sigh.
“You got off.”
“Yeah, I know. Thanks.”
Beck smirks at me, but it slowly melts into a serious expression that has my heart slamming against my ribs. “We don’t have to keep score, Saylor,” he tells me.
He swims away before I can respond.
I always keep score.
Because I hate losing.
Because I like to know where I stand with people, and especially with guys.
And because Adler Beck is the furthest thing from a sure bet.
