Book #4 in the Medley Series
ARCHER SALISBURY:
We're in the last sprint before the Olympics, and my spot on the Medley team is hanging by a thread.
I don't have time for distractions... or competition.
But I get both in the form of an aggravating...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
It's raining.
Again.
I hold onto the hood of my raincoat as the wind tries to tear it off my head. It's not that I'm opposed to being wet; I just prefer to do it in a temperature-regulated pool. But fall has swept over us with a vengeance as the second week of the semester comes to a close.
It's been fucking hell. Not just the weather, but I'm having my ass kicked at practice every day, and then I'm verbally sparring with Leroy each night until I feel lightheaded.
The only thing that doesn't suck at the moment is classes. At least my ability to anticipate my professor's expectations and then live up to them still comes easily.
Now, I've got one glorious day off from practice tomorrow - I'm planning to spend it playing FIFA with Mitch, whether he likes it or not - which means that tonight I don't have to worry about Leroy's death glares because I'm planning to be deliriously drunk by the time I make it home.
I finally reach the bar's door and push it open, shaking off the worst of the rain from my coat as I hurry inside.
"Saltz!" someone yells from across the room; Mitch, I'd guess. I can't see much at the moment as I hang my wet jacket by the hooks at the door.
I feel my shoulders ease, knowing I'll be in the company of my friends for the next few hours, with no pressure to perform a certain way and no annoying roommate to aggravate me. I can just be myself.
"Hey guys," I call out as I approach our usual booth. I catch sight of the guys first; Sennels, Davis, and Mitch are playing dice, trash-talking each other joyfully. I clap them on the backs, and they all spare me a short greeting before getting back to their game.
I move down the line, ready to say hi to the girls, but as my eyes skim over my teammate's partners and some of my closest friends, they catch on someone who certainly doesn't belong here.
Fucking Leroy.
He's nestled between Sophie and Jen, smiling in a way I've never seen him do before - honestly, I wasn't sure his face had that ability. He looks younger that way, less somber, even with the glasses. It's annoying. And confusing.
What the fuck is he doing here?
"Archer," Maya says warmly, standing up to hug me, catching the other three's attention. Leroy looks over, a shadow falling over his face, and the smile dims.
"Hi," I greet Mitch's girlfriend, tearing my attention away from Leroy. I want to demand an explanation, but I don't want to be rude in front of the girls - Sophie would just kick my ass.
Sophie and Jen offer me warm greetings, too, while Leroy stays quiet. Neither one of us acknowledges the other's presence. I don't know why he looks so uncomfortable. He must have known I'd come since these are my friends. I, on the other hand, had no warning.
