Page 100 of Waiting for Ru
Selah had probably been told to phone to ensure Waqas didn’t walk in on him buried in a guy’s arse, to save their father having to go through with his threat, for them having to fulfil his wishes. Jasim would be careful. He’d keep warning Ru to be careful.
From tomorrow, life would be insanely busy preparing for the match. Marcelo, Joaquin andNicoláswould be spending much of their time here. Joaquin would be moving in. Possibly Marcelo too. And some nightsNicoláswould also stay over. They’d train together, not just on the field. Nicolás might bring in his personal trainer and a sports psychologist. As long as play improved, Jasim was prepared to try anything.
Cross training was the key. Being lean and flexible when riding was important. The game lasted about two hours so cardio work was essential: running, swimming, cycling—exercise that didn’t make you bulk up. Yoga too. Jasim had been amazed how useful he’d found that. The team could do it together.
Benning Park would have many more ponies and grooms milling around. Mary, would be working longer hours with temporary kitchen staff for the next two weeks to cope with the influx of people. It would give Jasim less time with Ru, but he’d find a way around that. In front of Waqas, he’d be as straight as he could be, which was how he usually was anyway.
He changed into his trunks and went down to the pool. He’d get some exercise in before Ru arrived, wipe his brother out of his head.
Ru appeared after Jasim had swum half a mile. Ru tossed his towel onto a lounger and stood on the edge of the pool.
“Want to jump in again?” Jasim asked.
“Yes.”
“Go to the deep end and wait until I’ve swum up there.” Jasim stayed close enough to grab Ru if he needed to, then nodded for Ru to jump. Ru leapt into the air, brought his knees up to his chest and hugged them as he plunged into the water. Jasim got ready to grab him if he needed to, but Ru trod water and beamed.
“Now swim,” Jasim told him.
The more lengths Ru did, the better he got. His breathing improved, the fluidity of his strokes improved too. There was still an element of over-eagerness in the way he moved, but he was getting there.
“Want to try back crawl?” Jasim asked. “Kick your feet, cycle your arms like this.”
Ru got it very quickly. He stopped in the shallow end and Jasim joined him.
“I can’t believe how fast you’ve picked it up,” Jasim said.
“I wonder if it’s because I had lessons before I was snatched, whether my brain remembers.”
“Muscle memory. It’s possible. I also think you’re bloody fearless.” He brushed his hair from his eyes. “I need a few lessons from you in how to be brave.”
“Says Mr I-can-hang-upside-down-from-a-cantering-horse without flinching.”
Jasim smiled. “Would you like to go to the cinema tomorrow night?”
“Are you asking me out on a date?” Ru looked shocked.
“Only if you say yes.”
Ru smiled. “Yes please.”
“This is assuming Waqas doesn’t turn up before then. He can’t stay here though. I have too many people living in the house until the game. I’ll look at what’s on and I’ll text details of where I’ll pick you up. Okay?”
Under the water, Ru stroked Jasim’s leg with his foot. “I can’t wait.”
“I thought I saw you in the water.”
Jasim’s heart lurched and he spun round to see Joaquin standing there in his trunks.Shit!Had he heard? Or seen?
“I was just giving Ru a swimming lesson.”
Ru climbed out of the water as Joaquin got in.
“You don’t need to leave,” Joaquin said.
“I have to feed the horses. Thank you for the lesson.”
“You’re welcome.” Jasim waited until Ru had gone before he turned to his friend. “He nearly drowned a week ago. I had to ban everyone from using the pool.”
