Chapter 20
Nerion
“Ihave no idea what you’re supposed to do at these things,” I said, glancing up at Linden. We’d found a spot in the back corner of the stands surrounding the pool. “Do you cheer or is this like golf and you have to be silent?”
Linden shrugged. “I don’t know. Let’s just do what everyone else does, I guess.”
“Great,” I grumbled, crossing my arms over my chest. “You know how much I love to be just like everyone else.”
“Look, you’re the one that invited me here to watch your boyfriend swim. You can’t be grumpy about it.”
“First of all,” I balked while my heart did a strange little flip. “He’s not my boyfriend. We’re just fucking. And secondly, you’re the one that agreed to come.”
“Sure, Nerion,” Linden scoffed. “You’re just friends.
” He made little air quotes with his fingers before letting out a long sigh.
“I’m just saying,” Linden continued, his voice dropping as more people filed into the stands around us, “you’ve never invited me to watch anyone else you were ‘just fucking’ before.
And I’ve known you for what, three years now? ”
I shot him a glare, but he just smiled back with that infuriating know-it-all expression.
The worst part was that he had a point. I’d never cared enough about any of my hookups to want them to meet my friends or to show up at their events.
But Teddy was... different. And I really needed to get that under control.
“Whatever,” I muttered. “I just thought it would be nice to get out of the studio for once.”
“Mmhmm,” Linden hummed, unconvinced. “That’s why you’ve been checking your hair in every reflective surface we’ve passed.”
I elbowed him in the ribs, harder than was strictly necessary. “Shut up. The meet’s about to start.”
The announcer’s voice boomed over the speakers, introducing the competing schools.
The crowd around us erupted in cheers when Widdershins was announced, and I found myself scanning the pool deck for a glimpse of golden hair.
When I finally spotted Teddy standing with his team, my breath caught.
Even from this distance, he looked magnificent in his speedo, his broad shoulders and tapered waist on full display.
“Oh, there he is,” Linden said, following my gaze. “Damn. Is that what he had under that Halloween costume? He’s hot.”
“I know,” I replied, unable to keep the pride from my voice. “And he’s really good swimmer too. Like, Olympic-level good if he’d just relax a little.”
“You know that much about swimming now? Interesting.”
“I’m practically half fish. I know a good swimmer when I see one.”
“Sure thing,” he said, but I knew he didn’t believe me.
I ignored his teasing, too focused on watching Teddy prepare for his event.
He was stretching at the edge of the pool, his movements fluid and confident.
I could see the concentration on his face even from our spot in the stands.
Something tightened in my chest as I watched him, something that felt dangerously close to what I’d sworn I would never feel ever.
The first few events went by in a blur. I found myself getting caught up in the excitement despite my initial reluctance, cheering along with the crowd whenever a Widdershins swimmer took the lead. Linden seemed equally invested, his deep voice booming out encouragement.
“When is Teddy’s event?” he asked during a brief lull.
“The two hundred meter freestyle is coming up soon,” I said, checking the program. “That’s his specialty.”
“You’ve really done your homework,” Linden teased, but his smile was kind. “It’s nice to see you care about someone other than yourself, Nerion.”
I didn’t respond, my throat suddenly tight. Instead, I focused on the announcer calling the next event. Teddy’s event. My heart rate picked up as I watched him approach the starting block, adjusting his goggles one last time.
“That’s him,” I said unnecessarily, pointing him out to Linden. “Lane four.”
Teddy looked up into the stands then, as if searching for something, or someone. When his gaze landed on me, his face broke into a smile so bright it was like looking directly at the sun. He raised his hand in a small wave, and without thinking, I waved back.
“Just friends, huh?” Linden muttered, but I ignored him.
The swimmers took their positions on the blocks, and the tension in the air was palpable. When the starting signal sounded, they launched into the water almost as one. Teddy hit the water with perfect form, emerging with powerful strokes that immediately put him in the lead.
“Go, Teddy!” I shouted, surprising myself with my enthusiasm. Beside me, Linden joined in, his voice carrying over the crowd.
Teddy was magnificent in the water. Each stroke was precise, powerful, his body undulating through the freestyle with a grace that seemed almost supernatural. He maintained his lead through the first turn, though a swimmer from the opposing team was close behind.
“Come on, Teddy!” I found myself on my feet without realizing I’d stood, my hands cupped around my mouth as I shouted. “You’ve got this!”
The race tightened as they approached the final turn. The opposing swimmer had closed the gap, and they were neck and neck heading into the last fifty meters. The crowd was deafening now, everyone on their feet.
“He’s falling behind,” I said, my voice tight with anxiety. “Why is he falling behind?”
“He’s pacing himself,” Linden reassured me, his eyes fixed on the pool. “Look.”
Sure enough, as they hit the final twenty-five meters, Teddy seemed to find another gear. His stroke rate increased, his powerful arms propelling him forward with renewed energy. The crowd’s roar grew louder as he inched ahead, and then suddenly he was pulling away.
“Yes!” I screamed as Teddy touched the wall a full body length ahead of his closest competitor. “He did it! He won!”
Without thinking, I threw my arms around Linden, jumping up and down in celebration. Linden laughed, lifting me off my feet in his enthusiasm. When he set me down, he gave me a knowing look.
“Still want to claim you’re just friends?”
I was too caught up in the moment to care about maintaining my facade. “Shut up and let me enjoy this,” I said, turning back to watch as Teddy pulled himself from the pool.
His teammates swarmed him, clapping him on the back and ruffling his wet hair. His coach was beaming, stopwatch in hand as she showed him his time. Even from here, I could see Teddy’s shocked expression, followed by a grin that lit up his entire face.
“He must have beaten his personal record,” I said, unable to contain my enthusiasm. “He’s gotta be so proud of himself!”
I couldn’t take my eyes off Teddy as his teammates celebrated around him. The way his face lit up with genuine pride made something warm unfurl in my chest. I’d never seen him look so... free.
“Let’s go down and congratulate him,” Linden suggested, already standing up.
“What? No, I—” But Linden was already making his way through the crowd, his tall frame easily parting the sea of spectators. I had no choice but to follow, my heart hammering in my chest.
By the time we reached the pool deck, Teddy was wrapped in a towel, his hair still dripping as his coach talked animatedly to him.
I hung back slightly, suddenly unsure of myself.
What was the protocol here? Was I supposed to hug him?
Give him a high five? This wasn’t something friends with benefits typically did.
Before I could decide, Teddy spotted me. His smile grew impossibly wider as he broke away from his coach and teammates, making a beeline toward us.
“You came!” he exclaimed, his eyes bright with excitement.
“I said I would,” I replied, trying to sound casual despite the flutter in my stomach. “This is my friend Linden.”
“Hey man, good to see you out of costume. And great race!” Linden extended his hand, which Teddy shook enthusiastically. “Nerion wouldn’t shut up about how good you are.”
I shot Linden a death glare, but Teddy just laughed, the sound making my stomach flutter.
“Thanks for coming,” he said, his eyes finding mine again. “It means a lot.”
“You were amazing out there,” I told him, meaning every word. “Like you were part of the water.”
Something shifted in Teddy’s expression, a softness I wasn’t prepared for. Before I could process it, he had pulled me into a hug. He was still wet, his skin cool against mine, but I didn’t care. I returned the embrace, breathing in the familiar chlorine scent of him.
“I beat my personal best by three seconds,” he whispered in my ear, his voice thick with emotion. “I’m approaching Olympic times now.”
“I’m not surprised,” I murmured back. “You were born to swim.”
When we pulled apart, Teddy kept his hands on my shoulders, studying my face with an intensity that made me want to look away. But I held his gaze, letting myself get lost in those hazel eyes for just a moment.
The moment was shattered by a sharp, authoritative voice from behind Teddy.
“Theodore. What was that?”
I watched as Teddy’s expression transformed instantly.
The joy drained from his face, replaced by a carefully neutral mask as he turned to face a tall, stern-looking man in an expensive suit.
Beside him stood a woman with the same blonde hair as Teddy, though hers was styled in a perfect bob and she wore a designer dress that probably cost more than the pool.
“Father,” Teddy said, his voice suddenly formal. “Mother. I didn’t know you were coming.”
“Clearly,” his father replied, his eyes flicking briefly to me before returning to his son. “We decided to surprise you.”
“What did you think?” Teddy asked, and I could hear the hope in his voice, the desperate need for approval that made my heart ache.
His father frowned slightly. “Your time was decent, but your turn was sloppy. You lost at least half a second there. And your competitor in lane five was gaining on you at the end.”
I stared in disbelief. Teddy had just won the race and shattered his personal record, and this was what his father had to say?
“But I won,” Teddy pointed out, his voice smaller now.
“Yes, well,” his father said dismissively, “you were lucky the other guy was so slow. If you’d been up against a real competitor, that performance wouldn’t have cut it.”
I felt something snap inside me. Before I could think better of it, I stepped forward.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I demanded, my voice louder than I intended. “Your son just dominated that race. He was incredible.”
Teddy’s father turned to me, his eyebrows raised in surprise. “And you are?”
“Nerion,” I said, not bothering to offer my hand. “I’m Teddy’s... friend.”
“I see,” he replied, his tone making it clear he didn’t approve of me. “Well, Nerion, I’ve been coaching Theodore since he was six years old. I think I know what I’m talking about.”
“Coaching him or crushing him?” I shot back, feeling Linden’s hand on my shoulder in warning. “Because from where I was standing, he just gave an Olympic-level performance, and all you can do is criticize him.”
“Nerion,” Teddy said quietly, but I was too far gone now. My anger had a death grip on me.
“No, Teddy, this isn’t right,” I insisted, turning back to his father. “Your son is talented and hardworking and just accomplished something amazing. And instead of being proud of him, you’re tearing him down. What kind of father does that?”
The man’s face darkened with anger. “I don’t know who you think you are, young man, but this is a family matter. Theodore understands that excellence requires constant improvement. Complacency leads to failure.”
“Bullshit,” I spat. “What he needs is support, not your negging.”
Teddy’s mother gasped, and his father’s face turned an alarming shade of red.
“Theodore,” he said tightly, “I think it’s time you started looking for some new friends. Clearly these ones aren’t right for you.”
But I was done with this whole scene. I grabbed Teddy’s wrist, feeling his pulse racing under my fingers.
“Actually,” I said, “Teddy’s coming with us to celebrate his win. You two can fuck off back to whatever miserable estate you have in New England.”
Teddy’s father’s face contorted with rage, his eyes bulging as I pulled his son away from him.
“How dare you?” he sputtered, reaching for Teddy’s other arm. “Theodore, you will not walk away from us!”
But Teddy didn’t resist my pull. Instead, he allowed me to guide him through the crowd of stunned onlookers, his teammates watching with wide eyes as I practically dragged him across the pool deck. Linden followed closely behind, his massive frame creating a barrier between us and Teddy’s parents.
“Nerion,” Teddy whispered, his voice trembling. “I can’t believe you just did that.”
I couldn’t quite tell if he was angry or impressed, but I wasn’t about to stop and find out.
Not with his father’s voice still booming behind us, demanding that Teddy return immediately.
We pushed through the exit doors and out into the crisp autumn air, putting as much distance between us and the natatorium as possible.
Only when we reached the quad did I finally slow down, my grip on Teddy’s wrist loosening.
I turned to face him, bracing myself for his anger, for him to tell me I’d overstepped.
Instead, I found him staring at me with an expression I couldn’t quite read.
It was shock mixed with something that looked almost like wonder.
“I’m sorry,” I said, suddenly feeling uncertain. “I shouldn’t have—”
“Thank you,” Teddy interrupted, his voice quiet but firm. “No one’s ever stood up to them like that before. Not even me.”
Relief washed over me, followed immediately by a surge of protectiveness that scared me with its intensity. “They shouldn’t talk to you like that. You were amazing in there, Teddy. Everyone could see it.”
“Except them,” he said with a sad smile.
“Well, fuck them,” I replied, earning a surprised laugh from Teddy. “Seriously. You just swam the race of your life. We’re celebrating, with or without their approval.”
Linden, who had been quietly observing our exchange, stepped forward. “He’s right, man. That was some impressive swimming. And these two,” he jabbed a thumb behind us, where Teddy’s parents had emerged from the building and were scanning the quad, “need a serious reality check.”
“They’re coming this way,” Teddy said, his body tensing beside me.
Without thinking, I grabbed his hand and tugged. “Then let’s go. We can get off campus for the night and celebrate.”