The Infinity Between Us by N.S. Perkins

Author:N.S. Perkins [Perkins, N.S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: novel
Publisher: N.S. Perkins
Published: 2022-05-23T16:00:00+00:00

18

Five summers ago

I don’t think I’ve ever seen him swim this fast.

That’s the thought that hits me as I watch Will try his fifty-meter again, the tile floor of the public pool cold beneath my feet. The stopwatch in my hands is ticking rapidly, but it’s like Will is faster than time itself.

A few days ago, he was met with the realization that he had to return to Brown in less than a month. That means less than a month to reach his speed goals and be able to stay on the swim team. And, yes, I know I told him I’d admire him regardless of his performance, but I know Will, and I don’t think he would ever be the same if he couldn’t swim competitively. The sport is him.

After a swift turn at the other end of the pool, his lithe body comes back my way in a front crawl. I don’t know what it is about this style of strokes, but Jesus Mary Joseph, he looks so sexy I could die. The movement of his arms causes his trapezius muscles to pop forward, while the rest of his back is the epitome of strength and definition. Water sluices down his body every time he comes up for air, and I find myself thinking I’d lick the droplets on his face if I could.

What the heck is wrong with me?

He’s almost there, barely more than a few feet between his outstretched arms and the border of the pool, and—

“Yes!” I scream, jumping to my feet as I push on the button to stop the stopwatch. My jaw drops as I take in the time on the screen.

“What?” Will asks, hands by the side of the pool, chest heaving. “How did I do?”

“You did it,” I whisper, still looking at the timer before glancing his way. “You did it,” I repeat louder.

He removes his goggles and his cap. “I did it?”

Nodding, I run to the side of the pool and kneel to show him the chronometer.

21.27.

His eyes move back and forth over the screen, again and again and again. “I did it,” he says, voice low and incredulous.

A grin curls my lips. “You did.”

Finally breaking his heated exchange with the timer, he lifts his eyes to me and slowly smiles, a spring flower in full bloom. Then, before I have time to understand what’s happening, he propels his upper body out of the water and wraps his wet arms around my neck, drenching the front of my shirt and my two golden braids. Laughing, I squeeze him back.

“I knew you could,” I murmur on top of his head.

“It’s all because of you,” he says, still stuck to my body like glue.

We’ve been coming to the pool at least four times a week since the beginning of the summer, but I could never say I did this. It was all him and his incredibly stubborn mind. I was only along for the ride.

I don’t know what I’ll do when summer ends.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.