Chapter 5: Stairwell

On Friday morning, Jesse swam his first real practice with the walk-on group.

He did it with his left arm high, and he did not look at the clock once.

Nate stood at the wall with his clipboard and said "Good" twice.

Jesse felt the second one all the way to his toes.

When the session ended, the walk-ons climbed out and shook water from their hair.

Jesse was reaching for his towel when Pierce strolled along the deck with a duffel on his shoulder.

He walked straight up to Nate, took his face in one hand, and kissed his cheek.

It was slow and deliberate, and he let it linger.

"Morning, Captain," Pierce said, loudly enough for everyone to hear. "Missed you at breakfast."

Nate stiffened and stepped back. "Don't do that."

"You never used to mind."

"That was a long time ago."

"Was it?" Pierce looked over Nate's shoulder, straight at Jesse. "Hi, Larkin. Coming to the party tonight? Nate would love to see you there."

Several of the swimmers had gone quiet.

Jesse's face burned, and his chest felt like someone had poured the pool into it.

He knew, in a rush, what he was looking at.

Pierce and Nate had been something once.

Nobody had told him.

"I'm busy," Jesse said.

He picked up his bag and walked out of the natatorium.

The hallway outside was cold, and he heard the door bang behind him.

"Jesse!"

He didn't stop.

He pushed through the side door into the stairwell and took the stairs two at a time, up toward the empty spectator level.

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