Page 35 of Undeniably

“So, tell me about yourself, mystery girl.”

I chuckle. “You know who I am.”

He gives me a cocky smile. “I know your name, but I don’t know much about you.”

“When did you start at BA?” My curiosity gets the best of me.

“Last year. I transferred from Central. The lax program here is much better. I’m hoping to go pro, preferably with the PLL and not the MLL or NLL.”

Keaton wants to go pro too—or at least he did. Shit. Why am I thinking about Keaton?

“I see. I grew up here. I went to HDA for dance but came back.”

“What made you come back?” He swims closer to me.

I shrug, swimming around him towards the side of the boat.

“See, mysterious.” His chuckle follows me.

“I’m not trying to be.” I turn back to face him again. “I’m not used to people not knowing about me here. It’s kind of refreshing.” I admit that last part quietly. For so long I was Keaton’s friend. Always defined by my friendship with him.

“Ah, is it because of Yates? I should tell you I’m on the team with him. He warned us all off of you.”

I freeze for a moment before continuing to tread water, anger filling in slowly. “Yeah? Why is that?”

He shrugs. “Doesn’t matter. I’ve never followed rules very well.” He swims closer to me and reaches out to swipe my hair out of my face. My breath catches. “You are beautiful. Has anyone ever told you that?”

“Other than my parents? No,” I say breathlessly.

“Well, then I’ll tell you more often.” He drops his hand but doesn’t back away from me.

“Tell me something about you. Something no one else knows.” I feel bold asking the question.

He thinks for a moment. “I’m terrified of birds. Any kind of bird.”

I let out a small laugh. “Really?”

He smiles back. “Really. I don’t know why. They creep me the fuck out. If they get close, I will run.”

We both burst out laughing together.

I reach out and touch his shoulder before pulling my hand back. “Thank you. I needed that laugh.”

“Anytime, beautiful. What about you? What’s something about you no one else knows?”

I’m about to answer him when a voice from above booms out. “What’s going on here?” Keaton’s voice pulls my eyes from Ryan’s.

When I look back, I find disappointment on Ryan’s face. “Nothing,” I breathe out.

“Masters, out of the water. Now.” Keaton is not asking.

That infuriates me. “You’re not the boss of him, Keaton. Stop being an asshole.”

“I might not be his boss.” Keaton levels his eyes on me. “But I’m his captain. I gave him a direct order. He better follow it.”

Swimming to the ladder, I pull myself up and walk right up to Keaton. “Captain or not, you don’t rule his life.”

Ryan pulls me back slightly, having followed behind me. “It’s okay, Morgan.”

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