Climbing out of the pool, I pad over the wet cement, my body dripping.
"Not your best, Connaway," Ashton sneered haughtily, making my eyes narrow into thin slits as I stare at him, my vision glowing red. If he isn't careful, I am going to drag him into the pool and hold his stupidly handsome head under the water.
Of course I’m not swimming my best. He "had a word" to Hayden and now Hayden is nowhere to be seen. Great. It wasn't Mia I should have been afraid of, it was Ashton.
Goosebumps scattered across my skin as I hug my arms to myself.
"To be on this team, you need to be performing your best at all times," he snapped, his eyes trained on me. "No matter what is going on in your life, when you're swimming, it's top priority. Have I made myself clear?"
I glare down at the ground, shivering from the harsh cold, my teeth gritted.
"Connaway?"
"For fuck sake," I yelled, throwing my hands up. "Leave me alone, would you?"
I stomp past him, ignoring the shocked stares of my teammates. I storm into the locker room and toweled off, shaking angrily.
"My office, now," Ashton barked as he walked into the locker room.
"No."
"Connaway, I will pull you from this team," he warned.
My main concern right now, is Hayden.
I dress and ignore the stares and whispers from everyone as I exit, going the opposite direction of Coach Brennon's office. I hurried out to the car park, half hoping to see his black Ute. I scrambled to get my phone, dialing his number. Straight to voice message.
"Fuck," I hissed, trying again.
Running an agitated hand through my wet-drenched hair, I felt an ache throb in my forehead. I sped-walked home, slamming the front door behind me with far too much aggression. I toss my bag onto the kitchen floor, before leaning over the kitchen sink, slowing down my breathing.
Ashton can't toy with me about Hayden. My emotions are far too strong.
After calming myself down, a tiny bit, I rang Harvey.
"Hello?" he chirped.
"Hang with me tonight," I demanded. "Please."
"I have date night with Caitlyn. Rein check?"
I scrunch my face up in anger, before smoothing it out.
"Yeah, you can rein check with her. I'll hold."
He chuckled, the sound only making me more annoyed. "I love you but I have to hang with my girl tonight. Tomorrow?"
I blew out a breath in frustration. "Fine."
"Sorry."
"You know Harvey, Thursday's used to be our nights," I snapped, before hanging up.
I felt like pegging my phone across the room, but I controlled myself.
Still feeling cold from my swim, I went upstairs to have a warm shower. Showers always make me feel better.
I decided I wasn't going to go over to Hayden's house. I can't just show up unannounced all the time. I have to distract myself from my own thoughts for a while. I had just grabbed a jar of Nutella and was about to set up Netflix, when I heard someone knock at my door.
I cringe. The only person who knocks that I know, is Ashton. If he is at my door, I'm going to go mental.
After hearing the knocking again, I sigh, getting to my feet.
When I swung the door open, Hayden stood there, a pained expression on his face. His eyes were wet as he stared at me, his face expressing such vulnerability that it made my heart clench.
"Hayden," I whispered. "What happened?"
"I just need you," he choked out.
"Come here."
I pull him towards me and wrap my arms around him. This hug was different to any of our others. Usually, my head is snuggled into his chest, with his big, warm arms around my body. This time, I am the one holding him.
After a few moments, I pull back. A tear slid down his cheek and I cannot suppress the shock coursing through my body.
Hayden Cameron is crying.
I swipe my thumb across his cheek, collecting his tear with my cheek. Surely if Ashton had told him, he wouldn't be here, crying... He would be punching holes in the walls, maybe, but definitely not crying.
"Tell me what happened," I murmured softly.
"My dad," he coked out, his voice breaking. "He rang me."
I knew nothing much about Hayden's father, so I cluelessly stared at him. "Is that quite uncommon?"
He groaned, as if having forgot I didn't know.
I follow him up the stairs and into my room. He sprawled out his long frame across my bed. He patted the spot beside him. I crawl up to his side and rest my head on his chest as he hugged me to him.
"Can we sit here and not talk for a while?"
"Sure."
"I have a lot on my mind."
"I get that. What do you want to watch?"
"Anything." he sighed, closing his eyes, resting his head back.
Biting my lip softly, I lazily search through Netflix, trying to find a comedy we could watch.
"What did Coach Brennon say to you?" I asked after a while, slowly wringing my fingers together nervously.
"Oh, that was good news actually," he mumbled. "He told me a scout from the University of Sydney contacted him. He wants to come watch me at our next comp."
"Oh wow, that's amazing!"
"Yeah, I went to call mum and tell her the good news, but he rang," his voice turned bitter at the mention of his father. "That changed things pretty quickly."
"Did you answer?"
"Hmm?" he asked sleepily.
"Did you answer the call from your dad?"
"Oh," he said softly, letting out a sigh. "No, I didn't accept- no."
"Okay."
"Thanks for being here and just... yeah," he said to me. He pushed me off of him and propped himself onto his elbow. I lay down on my back as he hovered over me. He leaned over me, dragging his fingers through my still-damp hair.
"That's okay."
"Grace," he began but paused, as if trying to find the right words. "I want to be with you."
"You are with me."
"As in, you be my girlfriend..." he trailed off.
A slow smile spread onto my face. "Aw."
"Well?" he pressed, tangling his fingers in my hair.
"I guess so, yeah," I teased even though my cheeks are feeling hot and it feels like a bag of butterflies have been released inside my stomach.
"Good." he leaned down and pressed his lips to mine softly.
He shifted so that his hard, lean body pressed onto mine. He deepened the kiss, his warm tongue slipping between my lips. His hand began to trace the curve line of my body, as my fingers slid underneath his shirt, feeling his hard muscles.
"Make me forget," he whispered against my lips, his warm hands gripping me.
He took my bottom lip in between his own, before he sucked. A startled gasp left my lips as he did. I felt his lips curve into a smirk as he nipped at my lip with his teeth, before releasing it.
Lowering his head, he moved to my neck. He bit me softly and I arched my back, wanting to get closer to him.
Suddenly, his phone began blaring. He let out a deep sigh, pushing himself off me. He withdrew his phone from his pocket, before he glared down at the screen.
"You've got to be kidding."
"Your dad?" I asked softly, a little breathless as I reeled into sitting position.
"The one and only," he replied through gritted teeth, before declining. He exhaled deeply, standing up. "That asshole had to ruin the moment."
"It's fine," I told him honestly.
He let out a breath, running a hand through his hair. "Do you have any food?"
"Yeah," I laughed. "Go help yourself."
"Thanks," he grinned, the smile slightly forced, before loping out of the room.
Questions upon questions swirl in my mind. I am so curious.
A few moments later, Hayden's phone began ringing again.
My fingers reached for it before my mind processed what I was doing. I don't know what I planned to say but my fingers slid across the screen as I answered.
Before I could speak, an automated voice reached my ears.
"A prisoner from Silver Water Prison is trying to contact you. Do you accept the charges?"
My eyes widened as the phone slid from my hand.
What the hell did I just do?