Page 3 of Backstroke

He would have killed me long ago if he would have been able to get away with it. My father blames my mother’s death on me since she died during childbirth. Apparently, he didn’t want a kid in the first place and knew my mother would be at high risk if she ever fell pregnant. The amount of guilt I carry for that is increased daily as I’m reminded that my mother should be the one here and not me.

“You don’t think I can make it on my own without your precious money?” I retaliate. He leans in closer, his breath heavy with liquor.

“Are you making it on your own now? How about college? Think you can get in without daddy’s money?” he quips, making me see red. Without thinking, I shove off the wall, pushing him away from me. His eyes alight with a fire that I know all too well.

“You’re a bastard, you know that?” I fume. His fist flies through the air, landing perfectly on my jaw. The metallic tang coats my tongue as I pick myself off of the floor.

“I hate you. Mom would too if she saw the man you became.” I know I’m provoking the beast now but I can’t seem to care. I’m done with trying to please him. I’m done with doing what he says. This is my fucking life and I won’t continue to cower to this shell of a man before me.

“Get out of my sight, you piece of shit.” He stumbles away to his wet bar in the corner of his office.

“I’m having the pool filled in tomorrow. Try swimming in concrete,” he laughs as I storm from his evil lair, through our ridiculous mansion and out of the front door. I have to get away from him.

As I climb from the pool, I feel the weight of my past lift, if only for a moment. The shadows that once loomed large are washed away, replaced by the clarity and peace that only the water canbring. This victory is more than just a win; it’s a testament to my resilience, a reminder that I can overcome anything.

Pride swells in my heart, hearing the cheers all around, until I glance at the stands. My father leans against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest and a blank expression across his face. An overwhelming sense of rage simmers beneath the surface, seeing him here. This is my territory, not his. This is the only place that I can break free of the shackles that bind me to his perfection.

He only comes to campus if he needs something from me. I can only imagine what it is this time. Between staging public outings and photographs, his reputation has to remain spotless, meaning there’s no room for fuck ups from his only son. Nothing short of perfection is acceptable. The pressure to maintain his expectations is daunting, leaving me to play a puppet in my own life.

I nod an acknowledgement in his direction, then turn to see the other swimmers finishing their heat. Water streams down my body, rivulets trailing down my hardened muscles. Our team congregates around Coach Morris as the announcer presents the best times. The roaring crowd booms louder as Frampton University is awarded first place.

“Congratulations boys. You started the season on a win, but this doesn’t negate practice. I want you all here at five A.M. Monday,” he enunciates, looking around at each of us. Everyone nods and then looks at me, the team captain, for input.

“Emerson, your late-night fuckery caused your times to suffer, so your ass better be prepared for extra sets next week.” He groans, wiping the residual water from his face.

“It was my birthday, Remy,” he defends, like I give a fuck.I don’t.

“Yeah, and your times sucked because of it. The same goes for you Williams. I assure you that after the torture I putyou through, neither of you will think about partying the night before a meet,” I vow, tossing a towel over my shoulder. “Now, hit the showers.” They both grumble under their breaths, but they’ll learn no one fucks around on my team. Emerson and Williams are new this year, and will soon learn what it’s like to swim with the sharks.

The guys head off to the locker rooms, leaving me to deal with my father. An eerie feeling of dread twists through my body as I walk toward him. He’s standing tall, leaning against the bleachers with one foot crossed over the other. A smug smile crosses his face as I approach, making me want to wipe it off. I used to look up to my father, but over the years, I’ve seen him for what he really is; a snake. He only cares about his image and what it portrays to the public.

“I didn’t expect to see you here,” I remark, as I get closer.

“There was business to do nearby, so I thought I would swing over.”

“And?” I counter, knowing that’s not the real reason. His schedule doesn’t afford him random visits unless it helps his cause in some way.

“You will be joining me for dinner Friday night, as I have some important news to share with you.” He tugs at the cuffs on his perfectly pristine suit.

“They have something useful for that nowadays. A phone call would have been sufficient,” I deadpan.

“Yes, well, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to see you finish slower than your record,” he goads, my anger simmering below the surface, but I won’t give him the satisfaction of knowing how his words affect me.

“I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” I smile, knowing his polls have dropped for the upcoming Senator election. He checks his watch and clears his throat.

“Wear a suit and don’t be late,” he snarls.

“Great seeing you, too.” I turn on my heel, making my way to the showers.

“Friday, Remington. You’ll be there,” he calls, but I continue on, raising my hand to confirm his demand. A smile forms at the corner of my mouth, knowing how much he hates being left without a goodbye.

Once I’m out of the shower, most of the guys have left except for Phoenix and Gray. I drove us from our house across campus this morning and I’m sure they didn’t want to walk back.

“Yo, Remy. What did your ol’ man want?” Phoenix slings his bag over his shoulder as we walk to my blacked-out Jeep Wrangler Rubicon in the stadium parking lot.

“What he always fucking wants,” I grumble. “There’s something he wants to tell me, but the phone wasn’t a viable option.” We toss our bags into the back, then jump in.

“So, what was so important that it brought him all the way to campus?” Gray hops into the back seat as Nix and I slide in the front.

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