Page 145 of Deep End

His mouth twitches. “Can’t hide from the truth, Scarlett.”

“I hate you.”

“Of course you do.” A kiss, warm against my forehead.

My ticket was for basic economy, while Sweden sprang for one of the fancier sections that live between first class and the plebs. I don’t know how Lukas pulled it off, but when we board, I find myself miraculously seated next to him. I lean against his shoulder and half nap, half watchThe Officewhile he reads a book in Swedish. His hand never leaves my thigh.

“Stay with me tonight,” he asks when we land. Except that it’s not a question. We’re jet-lagged and exhausted, and I’m still a bit fucked out from last night, but I nod, and my heart cartwheels at his pleased smile.

We’ve spent the last ten days together. Why not one more?

When we get to his house, all the lights are off. “Where are Hasan and Kyle?”

He shrugs. Before he can stick the key into the hole, the door springs open. “Surprise!”

The loudest voice is Pen’s, but the entire swimming and diving team is here, clapping and cheering, startling my half-asleep brain. Some bass-heavy music is switched on, and a blue and yellow balloon lands at my feet. The homemade banners are a particularly tasteful touch.

CONGRATS!!

FUCK YOU SWEEDY IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TEAM USA

PLS BREAK A LEG BEFORE THE OLYMPICS WE LOVE YOU

And my personal favorite:

U GUYS ALREADY HAVE IKEA AND LIVABLE WAGES,

LEAVE US SOMETHING

Lukas reads them with a deepening scowl, then crosses his arms. “Really?” Judging by the roar of laughter, his stern tone is a hit. Pen presses a giggly kiss into his cheek, and I clench my fist. There are high fives and backslaps and lots ofcongrats, man, bro, dude, a glass of something pushed in his hand. Before Hunter whisks him away, Lukas turns back to me with a wistful look. I cannot help a smile.

If people think that it’s weird that we appeared together, no one mentions it. Maybe they assume I knew about the surprise. Maybe I’m just invisible. Pen, the twins, and Victoria give me long, warm hugs. We’ve been texting back and forth in the team group chat, but I hadn’t realized how much I missed them.

“Was Europe cool?” Bree asks. “Were there lots of castles?”

“Um . . . not that I noticed.”

“What about shoe cobblers? Horses? Carriages?”

Victoria pats her back. “Babe, it’s not the Oregon Trail.”

I can barely keep my eyes open. I drift away as soon as the opportunity arises, brushing past people mainlining beer. What day of the week is it? “Have you seen Lukas?” I ask Hasan, who points to the ceiling.

“On the phone with his dad.”

I find him sitting on the edge of his bed, right as he hangs up. “Hey.” Being with him is a second wind.

“Hey.” He reaches for my wrist and pulls me between his legs. “Thoughts on how to get rid of them?”

“Hmm.” I pretend to think. He runs his palm over the back of my thigh. “Do you have a turnip cart on hand?”

“Nope.”

“Then I’m not—”

“Hey, you.” We turn, and Pen’s at the door.

Instinctively, I try to put some distance between Lukas and me, but his grip tightens. “Hey,” he says, relaxed, like this is not weird, and we aren’t doing anything wrong.

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