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Auden looped his arms around O’Neal and pressed a kiss to the crown of her head. “I’ll make donuts happen. I’m just glad you’re both safe. Our shitty smoke alarms were delayed. I just happened to be awake and smelled the smoke.”
O’Neal lifted her head, a line appearing between her brows. “How did this even happen? Was someone cooking this early?”
“No, my roommate is an asshole,” a new voice said.
O’Neal startled and stepped out of Auden’s loose embrace, turning toward the voice.
Brick had wandered over to them like he’d been invited. He nodded at Auden and Len. “Blake. Lennox. Glad you’re not barbecued.”
Auden sniffed derisively in response. Brick was his least favorite member of the swim team with his oversized ego and his shitty jokes, but he held the college’s speed record for butterfly stroke so Auden tolerated him. They swam on the same relay team for the medley race, so it was easier to keep the team peace than point out what a tool he was.
Brick smiled and put out his hand to O’Neal. “I don’t think we’ve met. Hunter Brickham, member of the swim team and roommate of the idiot who tried to do a chemistry project for class at four in the morning. I’d like to formally apologize on his behalf for interrupting your…sleep?”
Auden bristled at the way he’d turned that into a question.
O’Neal frowned but took his hand. “No problem. I’m O’Neal.”
Brick didn’t let go of her hand. “Love the name.” He glanced down the length of her body, obviously clocking Auden’s T-shirt, and his smile shifted into something sly. “Swimfan?”
Auden’s neck muscles tightened. The way Brick had said it, as all one word like the movie title, was an inside joke some of the team used. They’d all watchedSwimfantogether last year at some party, and now any girl who showed up at meets or took particular interest in a swimmer got labeled a swimfan, with the implication that they were the type of girl who’d doanythingin bed just to be with one of the swimmers. But O’Neal had never seen that early aughts teen version ofFatal Attraction,so she had no clue he was implying anything.
“What?” She looked down. “Oh. Yeah. Sure.”
“Excellent,” Brick said, finally releasing her hand. “The best type of person. What’s your favorite event? Wait, let me guess. If you’re hanging out with these two…” He glanced over at Lennox and then Auden. “Relay? Each guy an expert at one stroke? You should see me swim butterfly.”
Auden’s fingers curled into fists. He didn’t want to embarrass O’Neal by revealing what the conversation was really about, but he was about to punch that smug smile right off of Brick’s face. Whatever penalty Coach would mete out for breaking the face of a teammate would be worth it.
But O’Neal huffed out a quiet laugh. “Wow. That’s…what? Your, like,move?”
Brick blinked. “What?”
“Implying, with your thinly veiled attempt at innuendo, that because I’m out here with my two friends, wearing one of their T-shirts, that I what? Let them take turns? That I love swimmers so much that I want you to join the race too?”
Brick’s neck turned red. “I—I, well, no—”
Lennox coughed, and Auden bit his lip to keep from grinning.
“Let me guess,” she said sweetly. “You start the relay, don’t you? Because you don’t know how to finish strong?”
“Butterfly always starts!” Brick protested.
“And what a special butterfly you probably are,” she said, patting him on the shoulder. “But a quick piece of advice. Trying to demean a woman so you can look cool in front of your bros just lets women know that you’re vastly insecure and probably overcompensating for some major deficit. So thanks for the heads up to avoid you.” She smiled. “Also, extra fun fact for the road. Why I’m here, what I’m wearing, and who I’m with is none of your business, so I suggest you go back to your arsonist roommate. You two seem perfectly matched.”
Brick’s startled look shifted, his jaw flexing as O’Neal’s words sunk in. “Wow, you’re not just a swimfan but a straight-up bit—”
Auden and Lennox both stepped forward at the same time. Auden got there first, pushing his fingers into Brick’s chest. “I suggest you swallow down that word, Brickham, or you’re going to be on injured reserve for the rest of the season.”
“Girl can’t take a joke, man,” he said, voice tight. “I was just messing around. She didn’t have to get all personal about it. And I don’t know why she’s getting on her high horse. She was hanging all over the two of you. It’s obvious she’s spread for you both.”
Auden’s fist lifted, but before he could get the satisfaction of knocking those words out of Brick’s mouth, Lennox shouldered Auden aside and took a swing.
The sound of a fist hitting flesh cut through the air, and O’Neal cried out. Brick grabbed his nose and moved to swing back at Len, but Auden stepped between them. The scuffle had drawn the attention of everyone else, and a fireman was jogging their way.
Before anyone could throw another punch, the firefighter pushed everyone apart. He lifted a hand. “I don’t know what the hell’s going on here, but I don’t have time for this. You”—he pointed at Brick—“over there. You two”—he pointed at Auden and Lennox—“stay over here. Got it?”
Brick’s nose was already swelling but he nodded. He spit off to the side and then cocked his chin toward Auden. “Fuck you, man. Wait till Coach hears about this. He’ll bench your ass.”
Auden smirked. “I didn’t hit you. But even if I had, he’d take my side. Teammates don’t insult each other’s girlfriends.”
