Page 22 of Good Graces

Faster, but not fast enough.

The thought sticks as I grab my towel, rake it over my head, and make my way to the locker room. I used to swim like I was chasing something. Now it feels more like I’m trying to outrun it.

My body’s wrung out, but my mind is already on to the next thing. Because if I qualify for Nationals again this year, then what?

And if I don’t?

I shake it off, exhaling hard. No point chasing questions I can’t answer yet. Turning over possibilities doesn’t make them any more certain. It’s just mental noise. And that won’t make me faster, won’t make the decision any easier when the time comes.

I’d be better off putting my energy where it actually matters—swim, train, push harder.

By the time I get back to the house, I only have about thirty minutes left before I need to head to the club. The door’s unlocked. Of course it is. Liam and his girlfriend are already up.

“Don’t stress, baby, we’ve got plenty of time.”

“Yeah, uh-huh, you said that twenty minutes ago.”

I step into the kitchen to find Birdie pacing near the fridge, tucking her short bob into place while Liam leans against the counter, watching her with obvious amusement.

She huffs, adjusting the strap of her tote bag. “I told you I wanted to be thereearly.”

“And we will be.” He reaches out, easily tugging her toward him by the belt loop of her jeans, pressing a quick kiss to her temple. “Promise.”

Birdie exhales, tension visibly unwinding under his touch. “I know. I just hate feeling rushed.”

“I know you do.” He kisses her temple again, easy and familiar, like he’s done it a thousand times. “But you’re gonna kill it today. And I’ll be right there after practice to pick you up, yeah?”

Her expression eases into something small and warm. “Yeah.”

I shake my head. “How much PDA can two people possibly squeeze into a morning?”

Liam tilts his head. “We’re inside our own home. How is that PDA?”

I gesture vaguely between them, rubbing my temple. “I wasn’t meaning it in the literal sense.”

Liam’s green eyes glint. “Right. So, you’re just jealous, then?”

“No,” I say flatly, popping the cap on my drink. “Merely trying not to choke on the sheer amount of heart eyes happening in this room.”

Liam smirks and tosses an arm over his girlfriend’s shoulder. “Can’t help it. I’m very in love.”

Birdie laughs. “It’s true. Have you seen his Birdie shrine?”

Liam’s brows skyrocket. “I actually don’t have one of those, but you’ve just given me a brilliant idea. Can I have a lock of your hair?”

I roll my eyes. “Jesus Christ.”

Birdie snickers but doesn’t move away, her attention flicking back to her bag.

Liam watches her, still smiling, before glancing over at me. “Good practice?”

“Decent.” I down half a bottle of water and bite into an apple. “Times are still improving.”

Liam nods, knowing exactly what that means. “Times. Right. Like, five meters per second or whatever.”

I snort. “Yeah, I’m twice as fast as the world record holder.”

Birdie shakes her head. “You two are both major dorks.”

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