Page 15 of Lessons in Chemistry

My tummy flutters. Don’t focus on what he said. It means nothing. “What were you working on?”

“The mixed medley relay. Our times are looking good, but Josh doesn’t think they’re good enough. He’s putting a lot of pressure on Robert, who swims first, and me, who swims last, to up our times.”

“I thought it was a friendly competition?”

“It is. But Josh’s mentality is that we should approach every competition as if it’s the biggest one of our careers. Friendly competitions are good training grounds, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t bring it. I’m probably boring you to tears.” He snuggles closer.

“You’re not.”

He looks up. “Thank you for always listening to me. What did you do this evening? Did you go out?”

I wave my book. “I’ve been reading.” I pop a bookmark in and put the book on the shelf above my bed. “And now I’m hanging out with you.”

Casey smiles and drops his head again. “I don’t think I’m going to be good company. I might go to bed.”

“Stay for a bit. You can tell me about the rest of your training session. If you’re swimming last, you must be swimming freestyle.”

“Yes. I might go to the pool tomorrow to get some more practice in.”

Sunday is the only day of the week when Casey doesn’t have to be at the pool or the gym.

“Don’t you think you’d be better off resting?”

“Hm, maybe.”

“You need to relax and recharge. We can hang out together.” I wince and suck in a sharp breath.

“What’s the matter?”

“I’m meeting Auggie for coffee mid-morning, but we can hang out around that. Or you can come too. He won’t mind. I’m only going to be reading his essay.”

“I’m not going to play gooseberry on your coffee date.”

My cheeks heat up. “It’s not a date.”

Casey sits. “You’re blushing.”

“So?”

“I think that means you like him.” He stares at me for a moment longer before snuggling up to me once more.

“I—” I do like Auggie. He’s hot and charismatic and all the things I’m not.

“You should tell him.”

I snap my mouth shut. Auggie wants me to tell Casey I like him. Casey wants me to tell Auggie I like him. I’m so confused. Can I like them both? At the same time? Casey is snuggly and familiar. Auggie is a shameless flirt, but I like that, even if it does make my cheeks burn whenever I’m around him. But what about Casey? I part my lips, but the admission of my feelings dies on my tongue as my brain screams at me to abort. I don’t want things to change between Casey and me. I don’t want to lose my best friend.

“I wouldn’t know what to say.” Which guy am I talking about?

“Nor would I.”

“Really? You’re a jock.”

Casey looks up and laughs. “I’m not a jock.”

“Yes, you are. You’re great at sports. You even have a team jacket.”

“Which I only wear to competitions. I don’t strut around in it like I think I’m all that.”