AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Your motivational buddy. Isn’t he cute?”
“He looks dead.”
“He is dead.” Why is she smiling as she says it?
“Did you?”
“No, I didn’t murder him; someone else did and put a very adorable suit underneath his head.” Aly leans forward and straightens the little tie.
“I am not into taxidermy.” I push the ugly framed freakshow back to her.
“Just narcotics?” Aly tilts her head.
“Keep your voice down.” Grabbing it back and shoving it in my backpack.
“No, stop being bossy.” She scrunches her nose like I am disturbing her area.
“Hey, Aly, can you come with me to a swim meet I have in Tucson? We can drive back after if you aren’t comfortable staying overnight with me.” I give her an option; I give her an out.
“Isn’t your whole team going?” Aly cocks her head to the other side.
“No, it’s just an invitation to swim against other top-ranking swimmers in my division. It doesn’t count towards anything, it’s more of practice competing.” I have a few more coming and then, hopefully, next year I will be ready for the Olympic Trials in Indianapolis to qualify for the Olympic team. School will have ended, and I will be coming off the end of my swimming season of Sophomore year.
“Sure, never been. I am sure it will be exciting! Should I paint my face? Maybe wear your jersey? Wait, swimmers don’t have jerseys. I could wear a speedo with your name on it over my jeans. Do you want glitter on your poster or glow in the dark paint?” Aly is ridiculously spunky for this type of thing.
“Have you ever been to any sporting event in your life?” I may have to give her some pointers.
“I used to watch my parents fight if that counts?” She smiles, and I swear I love the way it looks on her face. It stings right there; I remember her eyes closed, me reaching over her mother to hold her hand. The strange slug of guilt comes back and I stare down at my test again.
“Ugh, we need to leave by one if that works for you?” I tap the pen on the table, and she watches me fidget.
“Sure, I only had a paper due in the last class, but I already turned it in yesterday. We probably don’t have time to go back to my cousin’s house for a change of clothes. So maybe if it isn’t too late, we could come back tonight.” Aly twists her lips, trying to find the most convenient way.
“Yeah, that’s fine. Hey, I need to go talk to Coach before we leave.” I get up and grab my bag.
“Lad, are you okay?” I think I like her sarcasm better than her concern.
“Yeah, I am low on my pills. So, I’m a little on edge. But I will meet you at the pool in about an hour.” I am out of my supply of pain killers, but I also don’t want her to know what memories I keep from her. It’s a quiet declaration as I pass her.
“Do you want to share something?” Aly asks as we stop for lunch to eat on the way.
“What can’t you afford fast food?” It’s nice not to be her knight in shining armor; she makes me feel like shit and well, I can’t say her permanent record is anything, but spit shined.
“Jesus, their portions are huge. But whatever, rookie, ruin your perfect swimmer body.” She taps my stomach and picks something off the menu.
“Don’t worry, that significant arrow down to my goods is always in prime formation; got to help lead the ladies in the right direction, am I right?” I give her a wink and order us too much food to make her happy.
“Disgusting.” Aly rolls her eyes, but it is pretty, because she is.
“Says the woman who got a double O in the middle of the night and she woke up greedy, the night you stayed over after the bonfire.” I swear we won’t make it to my truck let alone Tucson if she keeps biting her lip like she needs something else to suck on. “I mean you did like it when I clapped that pussy with applause for such a good performance.”
Never in my life would I have ever imagined Alyeska to be embarrassed or blush, but shit, I like the two so much I might make a habit of it.
“Okay, I am stuffed. But I am going to save this for later.” Aly eats up her sandwich and then carefully wraps it back up.
“Why? It will probably get gross sitting in the car in the heat.” I grab a napkin and wipe my face as I grab my water bottle.
“Well, I will eat it. I just don’t want to push myself to eat too much at one time.” Aly is acting strange, but I don’t know how to pick apart that situation, so I cruise down the road and finish my meal.
