Page 155 of Beyond the Stroke

Summer

Maybe. What’s the catch?

No catch. Just a pretty overlook, some snacks, and a guy who likes spending time with you.

Summer

I thought you said you wanted to take me. Who’s this guy you speak of?

I walked right into that one, didn’t I?

Summer

It was the perfect set up.

To clear things up, your devoted husband will be in attendance. Lots of snacks and a cozy blanket…the necessities.

Summer

Okay. I’m in. See you soon!

I’m about to respond to Summer when Logan’s voice cuts through my thoughts.

“No fucking way!” Logan shouts.

I look up to find Logan wearing shorts now while he glances at the phone Charlie’s holding out to him.

“Cap, have you seen this?” Charlie asks, handing me his phone.

With my head focused on Summer, it takes me a moment to process what I’m looking at.

It’s a candid photo of Whitney and Connor. He’s got his arm wrapped around her shoulders, smiling down at her, while Whitney is looking up at him laughing. They’re in their swimsuits, so there’s a lot of skin touching. I remind myself that’s not because they want it to be but because it’s the nature of their wardrobe. There’s another one where Connor has his arm wrapped around her waist while they pose at what appears to be a dinner with program directors and foundation chairs.

It’s a business dinner. There’s no reason for him to be touching her like that.

“These were posted to the Rising Tide Swim Foundation’s social media,” Charlie comments.

Beside me, Xio leans in. “Damn. They look cozy.”

“Is something going on between Whitney and Connor?” Eli asks.

I open my mouth to deny it, but then I realize I don’t know if it would be accurate. I haven’t spoken to Whitney since she left for the tour. It had been a surprise to learn Connor was going with her, but I’d seen it as a break from Connor, and when Summer brought up the idea of Connor and Whitney spending a lot of time together, I’d brushed it off.

Whitney knows my history with Connor. She’s also a smart woman who I don’t believe would be charmed by Connor’s flashy, smooth-talking persona. Outside of his swimming talent, he’s a walking red flag.

My gaze drops to the photo of his arm around her waist again.

If Connor’s trying to pull some bullshit by messing with my sister, I’ll do more than dominate him in the pool.

“They look good together.” Finn smirks, but then catches my hard gaze and grins sheepishly. “Sorry.”

“They’re working together, that’s all.” I push the words out, then make a mental note to call Whitney later.

I think about Summer’s advice to fix things with Connor. To let the tension go but part of me is still struggling to put effort towards the guy when he’s shown no sign of changing his ways.

There’s nothing I can do about Whitney and Connor right now, so I grab my towel and head for the showers.

Under the spray, I roll my shoulders back and let the warm water slide over my tired muscles. It’s this time that my mind usually fixates on the future. But the interesting thing is I’m not spiraling about the Olympics. Or obsessing over times or splits or whether Coach Owens thinks I’m slacking.

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