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I quickly dig my pinky nail into the crown of my head.

“Why? Are you worried about shrinkage?” Most guys are. That’s, like, all they talk about when swimming.

“No, I’m hoping for it.”

Those hands he was just rubbing lower to cup…himself.

Turning toward the pool to give him some privacy, and maybe to hide my smile, I descend the stairs into the shallowest part.

I’ve never taught anyone how to swim before but it’s good practice for me.

“Okay, we need to get you comfortable with the water before we do any strokes.”

I’m not surprised to find Khaos in the same place I left him.

“You need to be in the water in order to do that.”

It doesn’t work.

“Why do you want to learn how to swim?” I finally ask.

“Because I don’t know how.”

So he wants to be sarcastic. I can do that, too, probably better.

“Why don’t you go learn how to fly a plane then?”

“I already know how to do that.”

I gape at him for so long he cracks a smile.

“I’m just fucking with you. I’ve never even been in an airplane.”

“You’ve never been out of the city, huh?”

Wading over to the bottom stair, I grab hold of the handrail, and just like I hoped, Khaos comes closer until he’s standing at the top. He’s not in the water yet, but it’s a start.

“I’m in Sea Haven, aren’t I?”

Only two places ever?

I’ve been to a lot of places but only because of cheer. My mom doesn’t take me on her trips.

“You may have noticed, Sea Haven is a coastal town. In addition to the Long Island Sound, we also have the Connecticut River and, depending what neighborhood you’re in, pools. Since a lot of activities here revolve around the water, it’s important to know what to do in case you end up in it during one of them.”

“Like being pushed into a pool at your stepsister’s party.”

I grin. “Exactly.”

When Khaos mimics it, I back up a bit. Thankfully, he follows my lead again, taking a step into the pool.

He’s getting closer.

Pushing my luck, I go a little farther, and like magic, Khaos descends another stair.

With a few backward flaps of my arms, I circle to his left, making him pivot to watch me.

I’m not sure how much more I can goad him in subconsciously. Reason might work.