Page 30 of Deep End

The shift of attention is a physical, tangible thing. “Who do we have here?” Kyle asks. “I thought you were Pen.”

It’s not inconceivable. She and I have similar builds—platform divers, like us, tend to be on the taller, leaner side. We both have long hair. That’s about it, though.

I sip on my water to temporize. Over the rim, I say, “Surprise.”

“Little Scarlett Vandermeer. Long time no see.”

I make myself smile. Kyle is loud, but has never been anything but nice. “Hello.”

“How are you, Vandy? I missed those dimples.”

Don’t stiffen. “And I missed that . . .” I search his Midwest-wholesome face for something of note. “Nose?”

Hunter convulses into laughter. “Your fuckingnose.” He claps at me and nearly rolls off his chair, like I’m the jester that keeps on giving.

God, they’re loud. It’s all I can do not to jolt.

“She meant that my nose is beautiful, you moron.” Kyle laughs, too, but kicks Hunter under the table.

“Dude, maybe that’s why you’re so slow in the water. Your nosedrags.”

“I’m faster thanyou.”

“Not this morning you weren’t.”

“I’ve beeninjured—”

“Hey.” Lukas cuts through the squabble. “Could you sad sacks go eat elsewhere?” It’s phrased as a request, but he’s notasking.

They begin to stand, even as Kyle mutters, “Why?”

“Scarlett and I have stuff to talk about.”

“And we can’t be here?”

“Nope.”

Kyle faux pouts. “This really hurts my feelings, bro.”

“I’ll kiss it better later,bro.”

“Cannot wait, b—”

“What do you guys have to talk about?” a female voice asks. I look up, and—Rachel, I believe. The third swimmer. She was sitting on the other side of Kyle, that’s why I didn’t notice her. I vaguely remember her from my recruiting trip. Backstroke. Long distance. Used to have long, blond hair, now cut pixie-style.

I think she’s friendly with Pen. Her smile doesn’t reach her eyes.

“Biology,” Lukas replies.

“You’re doing a project together or something?”

“Or something.”

“Huh.” Her eyes slide to the back of his hand. The model I drew. “And whereisPen?”

Her tone is . . . not quite insinuating, but it has my cheeks burning, and I pause mid-sip and open my mouth to explain myself. But before I can blurt out something socially destroying (It’s not what it looks like and even if it were they broke up and it was Pen’s idea andalso I didn’t ask to be born just leave me alone okay), Lukas shrugs. “No idea.”

Rachel wants to press it, but Kyle swings an arm over her shoulders. “Come on, we’ve been dismissed. See you at home, Sweedy.” He leads her away. Hunter points silently at his nose, gives me an overenthusiastic thumbs-up, blows a kiss to Lukas, and goes on their heels.

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