Page 31 of Catch
We square our oars to slow down.
“Let it run.”
We pull the oars out of the water and start to float. It’s only then that I glance starboard, to find Ethan standing on the dock staring at us, sunglasses on, his cocky grin in place. He’s dressed in black jeans and a Cougars T-shirt, and yes, he’s rocking the buzz cut. My face heats, but then again, I’vebeen pushing hard this morning, and I’m sure I’m not the only one. I’m too out of breath to reply to him, so I shake my head and hope that’s enough.
“I hope you have a very good reason for interrupting my team,” Lin calls back, a bite of irritation in his voice. “Whoever you are.”
“Ethan,” he replies confidently and waves at our coach, oblivious to Lin’s glare. “Nice to meet you. Sorry, I thought you guys were done. I need to talk to Jett, and I figured this was the best place to get his attention.”
The oar slips from my grip, and Felix shoots me a questioning look.
What the hell is Ethan playing at?
To make matter worse, Ethan lets out a low whistle. I watch as he slowly takes off his sunglasses. Even from a distance, I get a shock from meeting his gaze.
“Sugar, I gotta say, you look fine as fuck out there.”
I give him a middle finger and ignore the laughter that’s coming from my crew, including my coach. I turn to look over my shoulder at my teammates and raise one eyebrow.
“Really? Don’t encourage him.”
We paddle over to the dock, but instead of feeling calm and content like I normally do after a practice, I’m so jacked up I’m ready to race the entire length of the lake again. My lycra bodysuit, which consists of a thin tank and racing shorts, is drenched with sweat, and while that’s not unusual, I’m suddenly aware of the fact that it’s like I’m wearing nothing at all. The shorts have extra support, but we don’t wear cups, and for the first time in my rowing history, I’m feeling kind of exposed. Probably because my blood is racing faster than my pace, and most of it is now running south.
We get Okto secured, and by the time I hit the dock, I’m all but shaking and still panting. Ethan, of course, hasn’t stopped staring at me, and I feel like I’m under that weird spotlightagain. I’m pretty sure that if I started running right now, Ethan would chase me.
“What are you doing here?” I snarl at him.
Ethan bites his lower lip, and his eyes slowly track over me. I swear he doesn’t miss an inch, and I struggle to stay still. My first thought isstraight guys don’t do that. The second iswhy the fuck do I like it so much? Then I remember that he’s messing with me. I don’t care that he can see the outline of my cock in this outfit, I’m not going to feel awkward on my own turf. And I don’t know what the fuck he’s trying to prove with this stunt, but I’m not having it.
“Well?” I insist, running a wet hand through my damp hair.
“Do you—” Ethan coughs and clears his throat. “Do you always wear that outfit?”
“Ethan.”
“It’s very… it’s like you’re almost—” Ethan stumbles over his words and it’s so unlike him that I’m fighting a smile.
I won’t be charmed. I won’t be charmed…
“It’s tight.”
My face is on fire.
“It’s supposed to be. And you didn’t answer my question. Why are you here?”
“I wanted to see you.”
What the fuck does he mean by that?
“Why? We’re not friends,” I snap. “We’re not anything.”
“Ouch.” Ethan holds a hand to his chest. “Sugar, you wound me.”
My crew are now lined up on the dock listening to every word of this conversation. Lin too.
“Don’t you have a puck to chase?” I reply.
“You’re a hockey player?” Lin comments.
