Page 5 of Heartbeat

“Well—”

“I get that it probably precedes something. I’m just not sure exactly what it is that it…precedes.”

And I was also repeating myself, apparently.

“The tournament,” Ethan said, smiling. “The first round of the National Swimming Competition happens this weekend. We always have a party before it.”

“Oh. I remember people talking about that back in my old school.”

“Yeah? Where did you go to before?”

“Magnolia.” I fully expected some sort of comment about “nemesis” again.

“They’re pretty great” was all he said.

I was wrong again, of course.

“Yeah, I’m not really into it,” I admitted.

“But you are into parties?”

“Have been known to go to a few, yes.”

“Great,” he said happily. “Tradition dictates the captain of the team usually hosts the first party of the season. That’s Dean.”

“Oh,”

“You’ve met him?”

“Not really. Not officially, at least.”

“You will. He’s an acquired taste, but he’s cool. So, it’s this Friday at his house—”

“Yeah, I don’t know that I’ll be able to make it, but I’ll try,” I lied.

No way in hell was I going to go to that asshole’s house.

“Why not?” He seemed somewhat disappointed.

“It’s still Tuesday. A lot can happen until Friday,” I said, giving out the worst excuse in history.

“Oh. But you are going to The Den tonight?”

“Haven’t decided yet.”

“Too short notice?”

“I just don’t know that many people yet.”

“You know me,” he said.

Fuck me, that smile.

“And whoever invited you in the first place. I’m sure they’re nice too.”

“Too?”

“Oh, I’m nice. I’m super nice,” he said, grinning.

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