Barton should hopefully be discharged next week, and Hadley and Hawk have both discussed at length about staying here for the next year, so she can foster a relationship with him. I think it would be good for her, and I’m all for hanging around here for a little while longer. Besides, just because we live here, doesn’t mean we can’t take the year to go on a few sex-crazed adventures of our own. We have the money and means to go wherever the fuck we want on vacation, and I’ve been encouraging Hadley to make a list of everything she wants to see and do. I want her to experience everything, and I know the others do too.
I push thoughts of the future to the back of my mind as the whistle goes off, and I dive into the pool, intent on making this my best performance yet. Without the weight of the company and our parents' bullshit hanging over my head, I put everything I have into every stroke, kicking my legs as hard as I can. Reaching the far end, I flip and push off the edge of the pool, gliding through the water. Nothing exists except the sound of my heart racing in my ears and the cool water as it laps at my sides. I don’t hear the noise of the crowd, nor do I register the movements of my competitors on either side of me. No, these few moments of peace are all about me, and I give every second of it my all.
The whistle blasts as I slam my hand down on the tile, lifting my head to check the time. A new personal best. Fuck, yes!
The next hour is a whirlwind of handshakes and congratulations.
“And this year's national swimming champion for the freestyle is Cameron Rutherford,” the chairman announces, a round of applause going up from around the pool. I hear a wolf whistle from the stands behind me and turn to grin at Hadley and the guys, all of whom are on their feet, cheering and clapping, before climbing the steps to shake the chairman's hand and accept my trophy.
There's another round of applause and handshaking before I'm free to go shower and change.
Before I can make it that far, though, I'm accosted outside the changing room.
“You were fucking incredible, man!” Mason exclaims as Hawk smacks me on the back and Hadley pulls me in for a hug.
“You were amazing out there,” she says, grinning brightly up at me.
I give her a quick kiss, unable to get carried away and celebrate the way I want with her brother standing right beside me. Cockblocker.
“Hurry up and change, Emilia messaged saying the exam results were up.”
I can see the nervousness in her eyes, and I know she's been anxious about the results. Given the lack of formal education she has received until now, I can understand why she would be nervous, but she's worked hard this year—which is saying something, considering all the other shit we've had going on. If anyone deserves passing grades, it's Hadley. She might not be the smartest, but she tries the hardest, and no one else I know deserves a fresh start more than her. Not that she needs good grades to do that. None of us gives a shit what college we go to. In fact, the less prestigious, the better. Sure, all of us could just buy our way into whatever school we wanted, but I know, wherever we go next, Hadley wants to earn her place there. Something that I both respect and admire about her. I don't give a flying fuck if we're at some community college or fucking Crestmore—the most prestigious college in the country—so long as we're all together.
“Cameron.” I turn around as a well-dressed middle-aged man approaches us. “My name is Richard, I’m a scout for Ridgeway College. I know it's a bit late in the year to be asking this, but what are your college plans for next year?”
“Ehh, I don't have any. My friends and I are taking a gap year. I intend to apply in the fall for next year.”
Richard beams. “Fantastic. Let me give you my card. When it comes time to fill in your application, give me a call. If you can keep up your swimming training next year, I think you would make an excellent addition to the Ridgeway swim team.”
He reaches into his pocket and produces a card, and completely flabbergasted, I reach out and take it from him.
“Uhh, thanks.”
“No, thank you. It's been a long time since I've seen such talent and determination in a young athlete. You could have a bright future ahead of you, young man.”
Tilting his head in goodbye, he walks away, leaving me gaping after him, trying to work out if that was real or if I imagined the whole thing.
“Holy shit, Cam,” Hawk gasps. “That was insane! Did you hear him? He said you have a bright future!”
“And that you'd make an excellent addition to their swim team,” West tacks on.
“Yeah.” I stare at the card in my hand. “I mean, it could all be bullshit. For all I know, he's a sexual predator who likes to hang out at high school swimming meets and try to lure kids into his car with fake cover stories.”
Even as I say it though, I run my thumb over the very real business card in my hand.
Richard Steltzer, athletic scout for Ridgeway College.
He didn't seem like a perv.
I hear someone snort, and I tear my gaze away from the card in my hand.
“Go on,” Hadley encourages, shoving me toward the changing room. “Get changed so we can get our results and start celebrating.” She’s got a massive grin on her face, and she looks fucking amazing right now. Brighter than she has in a long time, like she's no longer carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders anymore.
“Yes, boss.” I wink at her as the door swings shut behind me, cutting off her tinkling laughter.
***
“Ahh, oh my god,” Hadley squeals, flinging her arms around me. “I only failed one subject.”
I laugh, wrapping my arms around her. “What one?”
“History.” She chuckles. “But who cares about that?”
After my swim meet, we all came back to the dorm and pulled out our tablets to check our results, although I don’t think the rest of us give a shit about our grades, so long as Hadley was happy with hers.
Mason, Beck, West, and Hawk all take their turn congratulating her, and I don’t think she could wipe the stupid grin off her face if she tries. It’s fucking adorable.
“I’m so proud of you, little sis,” Hawk murmurs quietly when he wraps her in a bear hug. A soft blush forms on her cheeks as she turns to face the rest of us.
“How did everyone else do?” She gnaws on her bottom lip as she looks between each of us.
“All good, Little Warrior,” Mason assures her.
“Same,” I pipe up. I have a healthy mix of letters, although mostly B’s, so I’m good. I’ve never been much of an academic person, and so long as I didn’t flunk, I didn’t really care about my grades. The only time I have put in any effort was when I was paired up with Hadley for our English assignments. I guess I wanted her to see me as more than the guy who gets by on his good looks and parents' money. I wanted her to see, when I put my mind to something, I gave it my all. At that time, all of my focus was on getting Hadley. Of course, there were a fuckton of unexpected road bumps along the way, but now I’ve got her, and everything is finally looking up. She might not know it, but I’ll dedicate the rest of my life to making her happy.
“West?”
He grins at her. “Second in the year. I can probably guess who came first, so I’m happy with that.”
Right on cue, there’s a peppy knock at the door that can only belong to one person.