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Bryce joins us in the stands about ten minutes later, his shoulders tense as he sits ramrod-straight on the bleacher beside Josie. The stance immediately takes me back to Will showing up at Adair all those weeks ago. In reality, not that much time has passed, but I feel like we’re all completely different people now. So much has changed, so much has happened, and I’m happy where we are. So much so that I’m scared something’s going to set us back. Which is why I don’t bring up my ex’s presence with Bryce. We have a meet to focus on and Carter’s final is up first.

Despite everything else going on, Carter has a great night. He places first in both his finals with times that are well within his personal bests for the year and on track with some of the predicted times for Trials. He and Bryce both seem happy with his swims, and I get a whole new vantage point as I watch my boyfriend do his thing. He chats easily with the interviewer, despite always claiming he’s horrible with the media side of the sport. The moment he really shines, though, is whenever there are over-eager kids dying for an autograph and photo.

He takes his time with them, smiling, and chatting. It all seems so effortless for him that I can’t help but snap a couple of photos for myself. I want to remember this moment. Eventually he has to get pulled away by his coach and other officials as he needs to be ready for the medal ceremony or to swim the 200-meter freestyle.

It’s not until after he’s won that race that things take a turn.

Since it’s the last meet of the series before they head to Olympic Trials, they’re presenting the swimmers with awards. Apparently, Carter has the most first place finishes on the men’s side for this entire series, a fact I should have known, but I barely knew him when it started. We’re all cheering along as everyone else receiving an award is mentioned.

Then our cheers fall silent not a second later.

“Presenting the awards,” the announcer says, voice rings over the crowd, “is Nashville University’s own Will Jacobson!”

Even from far away, I can see the way Carter stiffens up. Bryce whispers a quiet “fuck” under his breath that I somehow hear without being anywhere near him. My hands drop to my side.

“They seriously couldn’t get anyone else? He did nothing!” Mia grumbles.

“Will had a decorated career here in Nashville,” the announcer continues. “He has gone on to pursue a career in medicine.”

My eyes track the movement of Will as he goes down the line, handing out the medals, and flowers to each swimmer. When he reaches Carter, he hesitates for a second before smirking slightly. Carter lowers his head to have the medal placed around his neck. He stiffly accepts the flowers before standing up straight. Will doesn’t say a single thing to him and moves down the line.

I feel like this isn’t going to be the end of it, though.

Bryce stands abruptly. “I’m going to head back there. Just in case.”

Out of all of us, he’s the only one who can walk back to the athlete area. While I know Carter is more than capable of handling himself, I don’t want him to be alone.

“We’ll head to the restaurant,” Josie tells him.

I grab Bryce’s arm as he passes by, causing him to turn to look down at me. I level him with a gaze. “Step in if you have to.”

He nods before I let go of his arm and he heads back to meet Carter. When I look back at my boyfriend, he’s staring straight ahead, but the slight flicker of his eye tells me he’s tracking Bryce’s movements, too.

May2024

As soon as I’m off the podium, any niceties I feel compelled to display vanish. I bypass the media without a single comment and, for the first time in my career, the kids asking for photos and autographs. The sound of their disappointment follows me, and it breaks my heart, but I need to get away from here. Away from him.

“Carter Abrams, fleeing the scene!” Will’s voice is taunting as it echoes behind me. Thankfully, we’re out of the public eye, but there are still plenty of people around to witness this. “Why am I not surprised?”

Taking a deep breath, I turn to face him, standing tall, and staring him head on. “What do you want, Jacobson?”

Ever casual, he shrugs. “Just want the chance to catch up with an old friend. Where’s the harm in that?”

I cross my arms over my chest, glaring at him. “We’re not friends and no one thinks we are. Now please, do me a favor, and fuck off.”

I turn, ready to get away from him and leave him in the past for good this time. I can see Bryce weaving through the crowd toward us, still able to get back to where the athletes are with no problem. Several other people are lingering around us, clearly pretending not to listen, but I know they are.

“She’s going to leave.”

I freeze at his words, which are said with a slightly raised voice.

He’s trying to get people’s attention. “When the project is done, she’s going to leave. She’ll move back to Charleston, keep working for Thomas, and will eventually see that I’m the best option for her.”

He doesn’t know; I realize. He doesn’t have a clue about what’s happening in Kat’s life, despite the apparently close relationship he has with Thomas and her mother. Two people I’m not sure I’ll ever meet, but have an opinion of already.

I turn to face him, knowing Bryce is coming to stand by my side. “What are you talking about, man?”

He’s smug—so fucking smug I want to smack the smirk off his stupid face. “Katrina, obviously. What else would I be talking about? I can tell by the way she talked about you that you have a little crush on her, but she’s going to realize I’m what she needs, and she can’t have her career without me.”