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Austin turns to me. "This is my sister, Amy."
I smile. "We've met. I sign…well, because my mom is deaf," I reveal, and I see the information hit.
"Oh..."Austin frowns.
Maybe we should start having conversations? But it’s easier to avoid what could come up, my past, his sister, with the heat between us. Are we using our connection to avoid anything that could possibly break it?
"I've gotta go," he tells me, fixing his hat on my head. "It looks better on you."
I watch him rush away, his energy mirroring the nervous one I’ve got swirling around in my belly. If I’m not careful, I could catch the feels.
Who am I kidding?
Those feelings have latched on already. My finger skims the hat. I like it there, and I guess I’m supporting the BB crew today.
"So, I assume we can drink at this event?" Avery asks.
"I think people might be risking it. Who's going to question it today?" Nova adds.
"I brought a flask," Autumn admits.
Avery laughs. "Perfect! I'll go find the coke!"
The races run quicker than I thought they would, although I hadn’t been paying much attention to be honest. I’m still wearing his hat which means every person stares at me enviously. There is no escaping the gossip now.
The crew are already in the boathouse having a pep talk with Coach, but I thought that happened at the start? What’s he meant to say to them now the whole thing is over? They'd placed second, coming close to those in first, Princeton. Zac and his crew had come in eighth.
Avery had made a comment about more trouble coming our way because of it, and I'm not going to disagree with her. Momma's is on the agenda because it stays open on regatta days, just to feed the BB elite.
Amy nudges me. What did you think?
I nod. She’d stayed with us, enjoying the alcohol, but every time she looks at the hat, I don’t like the questions zipping in her eyes. It’s obvious she doesn’t know about me either. What does she think this means? Has Austin done this before? I don’t think I want the answer to that question.Good! Quick!
Amy smiles.You get used to it!
Am I going to be around that long? The fact that I’m questioning this also adds to my confusion. If someone had asked me a few months ago if I’d be at the regatta, I would have told them with absolute certainty that I wouldn’t be seen dead at one of them. And now…? Well, I’ve just enjoyed my firstexperience, which tells me that Austin has definitely found a way into the circle.
Austin did well to get second!
I smile and nod. Where had he placed in previous regattas?He works hard.I tell her.
I know that much because he spends every free moment in the boathouse.
She signs, but I'm sure I've missed something. I ask her to repeat it.
No.
I hadn't misunderstood.
The others look at me. I close my eyes and tell them what Amy has just told me. "Austin's dad had a heart attack."
Why the hell hasn’t he told me this? And what else don’t I know about Austin Whitlock? Am I giving my heart to someone who could break it without thinking about the consequences?
CHAPTER THIRTEEN ¦ THE TRUTH WILL OUT
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Austin
