AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I’d say that’s a good assumption.
From PlainJane2 to GothamGuardian5:
Okay, so since you are my friend and a guy (even though I still wonder whether I’m being catfished), I’ve decided you are now going to be my man mentor.
From GothamGuardian5 to PlainJane2:
It is my greatest honor to have this calling. As your Man Mentor, I will not let you down. (Also, I promise I’m all man. Do you need to see a picture as proof? Wait ... I meant of my face. MY FACE. Please don’t misread that.)
THE POOL WATER FEELS GOOD as I dive in and start swimming down the marked lane, Graham in the lane next to me.
I’m glad we skipped yesterday. By the time I got home, I was bone tired and every part of me ached. Graham stayed longer than I did so he could check on Mr. Johnson, the man who is currently in stable condition after having three stents placed in the cath lab.
My body sings as I make my way down to the end of the lane ahead of Graham—but only because I said ready, set, and took off before saying go. I’ve done it so many times, I don’t know how the guy keeps falling for it. And he calls himself a doctor.
I emerge back at the beginning spot out of breath but feeling very alive.
“You lost again, Shackwell,” I say, pushing my goggles up on my forehead.
“Because you cheated again, Price,” he says, removing his own goggles. Water drops fall from his well-groomed beard. It’s hard for me not to touch it, not to reach out and run a hand through it.
“I’m still tired,” I say, rubbing my eyes.
“Oh yeah, must be hard having had the entire day off to rest yesterday.”
“Well, that’s because I don’t work three jobs.”
“Three jobs and I still won the challenge yesterday.” He smirks.
“I’m still mad about that,” I say, splashing some water at him, and then one of the lifeguards whistles and reminds me of the no-splashing rule. We’re basically the only people in this pool—I swear they watch us like hawks.
Yesterday’s challenge was to buy something from the thrift store and model it. Graham found the most ridiculous seventies jumpsuit. He looked like Elvis. After searching for way too long, I had to settle for a floral dress with long sleeves and a high collar and a skirt that went down to my calves. It was very pilgrim-y. Morgan was unimpressed because she’d bought a similar dress from Target only a couple of years ago.
I’m mostly mad that Graham found such an epic outfit and mine was so mediocre.
Graham’s lips pull upward, a playful look on his face. “Don’t worry, Price, you’ve got today.”
I give him the same look in return. “Yes, and I plan on winning.”
Today’s challenge is to do something we’ve been putting off. I have a lot of things I’ve been putting off ... like a visit to the dentist. But because I’m only a few months late, I doubt it would beat whatever Graham has up his sleeve. I’ve got to dig deeper if I want to beat him.
“As you always do, yet somehow you haven’t managed every day,” he says, reaching up and rubbing his jaw as if he’s contemplating.
“That’s because you’re a cheater,” I say.
“I’m a cheater?” He points to himself.
“Yes,” I say, pointedly. “You cheat. You are the cheater. The cheater is you.”
Before I even know what’s happening, Graham reaches over and pushes me under the water, and I come back up spluttering and blinking, the unexpected dunk sending water right up my nose, causing a burning sensation.
“You’re going to pay for that, Shackwell,” I say, grabbing for him, but he moves out of my reach easily, his agile movements evading me.
“Nice try, Price,” he says, a big crap-eating grin on his face.
I lunge and wrap my legs and arms around him, attaching to him like an octopus. I try to drag him under the water, but he keeps us both afloat, probably with his big dumb thigh muscles. And my gosh, they are sexy.
I don’t give up; I keep trying, my limbs still wrapped around him, keeping ahold of him. Our efforts change the current of the water, making bigger waves build around us.
