Swimming back to you

chapter 17.

Austin's gaze was intense, and his touch lingered a bit longer than necessary. "I know. But sometimes, a guy has to step in when he sees something he doesn't like."

I raised an eyebrow, curious. "And what exactly don't you like?"

Austin's expression faltered for a brief second, as though my question had caught him off guard. But then he quickly regained his composure, smirking, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Well, I don't want that Brandon guy getting any more confused than he already is."

I turned slightly, glancing over my shoulder to find Brandon, who was engrossed in a conversation but still managed to catch my gaze. He raised his glass, flashing a grin as if to acknowledge the tension hanging in the air.

Austin leaned in a little closer, his voice low and teasing. "Guess you're stuck with me now. You'll have to keep dancing with me till that pineapple stops staring at us."

I stifled a laugh. Pineapple? I could almost feel the warmth of Austin's breath against my cheek as I turned back around, suddenly realizing how close we were. Inches. Only inches separated us.

My heart gave a nervous jolt as I found myself face-to-face with him. Why was he looking at me like that? His eyes, intense and unwavering, locked onto mine, and for a second, everything else—Brandon, Ryan, the party—faded into the background. It was just Austin. And me.

The air between us felt charged, and my pulse quickened. Was this still part of his teasing?

I cleared my throat, trying to push through the sudden flurry of emotions. "You think Brandon's really paying that much attention?" I asked, forcing a light tone.

His smirk deepened, his eyes flicking to my lips for the briefest moment before returning to mine. "Oh, he's definitely watching. But hey, don't worry. I'll keep you safe from the pineapple's gaze."

I couldn't help but smile, though inside, I was a whirlwind of nerves and confusion. Being this close to him felt different—like a line we hadn't crossed before was inching closer.

I chuckled, trying to shake off the tension building between us. "Stop calling him pineapple," I said with a playful nudge to his arm.

He raised an eyebrow, his teasing grin fading just a touch. "What, you defending him now?" His voice carried a subtle edge, though he tried to keep it light. "Didn't know you were Team Brandon."

I rolled my eyes, but the corner of my lips tugged up. "I'm not taking his side. Just... I don't know, it's kinda mean."

He scoffed lightly, his hand sliding a little lower on my back as we swayed. "Mean? Hailey, that guy practically lives to make your life confusing. I think he can handle being called a pineapple."

His words hit with a weight I didn't expect, and suddenly, the playful atmosphere between us felt charged with something else—something unspoken. I opened my mouth to respond, but the words caught in my throat as his gaze lingered on me, more intense than before.

"Look," he added, his voice softening as he leaned in just a fraction closer. "I just don't like the idea of him thinking he can mess with you. Not when I'm here."

I looked up at him and gave him a small, genuine smile. "Alright alright I get it. But I have to admit you're not that bad, you know."

He paused, his playful expression softening just a little as he looked down at me. "I've never been that bad, Hailey. You just always were in your own world to notice me."

I blinked, caught off guard by the sudden sincerity in his tone. "What do you mean?"

He shrugged, though there was a slight tension in his shoulders. "Back at camp, and even now, you were always so... wrapped up in your own thoughts. I guess I just wasn't loud enough to get your attention."