Mine, Always

Chapter Four

I'm shifting through my locker trying to find the things I need and squash the urge to spend the next hour cleaning it out.

"Brown!" I hear from behind me and I see Coach has found me. He's middle aged, five foot ten with red hair and brown eyes, he used to swim competitively but now it's just recreational so he is slim, well-toned and quite fit.

"Coach?" I question glad for the excuse to close my locker on the mess that is Sophie's signature.

"Practice tonight, 4pm." He tells me.

"But Coach isn't it the Captains job to attend try outs?" I ask confused.

"Yes son, that's you this year," he tells me walking off.

"Shit," I say out loud, I can't believe I've made Captain.

* * *

Two hours later and I'm sat on the bench beside the swimming pool. I'm in my regulation swim shorts but I've got shorts and a t-shirt on over the top. All team uniform – White and blue. I shouldn't have to get in but Coach likes us to always be prepared.

There are twenty kids on the swim team but I know at least three left and four dropped out at the end of last year. Coach always lets everyone try out, he gets everyone to swim two lengths of each of the four strokes (Front Crawl, Breast Stroke, Backstroke and Butterfly) he jots down their times and then posts the names of the kids that have made the team after he's taken the team's current times into consideration.

I'm sitting here watching coach explain the way it's going to work and getting them into four lines (as the pool has four lanes we always try out new members four at a time) Coach is explaining to the three girls that have shown up that the girls swim team practice is on Monday so they need to come back then; they don't look happy but then I don't blame them, I'm itching to get in the water.

There are only eleven guys that have turned up but when I look down at the sign-up sheet I see that twelve signed up. Coach gives me the time sheet to record their times while he watches their technique; I notice that Zachary Baker-Jones is a no show.

The first four jump in and on coach's whistle set off for their first two lengths front crawl, everyone's already been in and done four warm up lengths – one of each stroke. We don't want anyone hurting themselves. I log their times as they hop out and get ready for the next four.

The last group is just finishing up their butterfly lap when the door opens and in walks the hottie from this morning.

"Oh my god, I've missed it!" hottie says to the room and he looks exhausted, I'm slightly confused buy how suddenly human he looks.

Coach dismisses everyone and comes over to the late comer that I'm guessing it Zachary Baker-Jones.

"Son try-outs are over." He tells him coming over to me to see the times.

"He was born to do the butterfly that's for sure," coach says tapping the paper on Chris Parker's time.

"I agree sir, he beat my try out time," I smile my try out time was 51 seconds and that hurt a lot at the time.

I realise Zachary is still standing there looking at us.

"Coach," he starts "I know it's no excuse but I had a family matter to deal with, please, just let me try out and then if I'm not good enough you don't have to put on the team, please just give me a shot." He pleads.

Coach looks at his watch, it's nearing 5pm and I know he has to go, I don't know why I say it because normally I'd just leave it but I can't seem to help myself.

"I'll time him Coach and put the sheet in your office for you to look at in the morning."

"Alright son, if you're sure." He tells me and walks off.

Zachary turns to me and quite honestly the way he's looking at me should be illegal.

"Thank you, thank you so much."

"It's fine really, my name is Thomas, most people just call me Tom," I tell him but I don't hold out my hand, I don't want to know what it's like to touch him how ever platonic it may be.

"Zach," he nods stripping down to his swimming shorts and holy crap I have to look away, his pale skin is lean, toned and way too inviting.

I clear my throat, steal myself and look back to him to tell him what to do, he nods and heads off to do his four warm up lengths.

"I'm ready when you are," he shouts from the pool and I grab the stop watch and blow the whistle.

Five minutes later and if I'm not in love it's definitely awe, he is very good, I'd be jealous if I wasn't better.

"You did well," I tell him as he swims over to me.

"Are you just saying that?" he asks.

"No, if you was shit I'd say so," I tell him but that's a load of bull and he seems to know it.

"You seem more like the silent type," he says with an eyebrow raised. He jumps out of the pool and starts to head towards the locker room, after placing the now completed time sheet on Coach's desk I follow him.

"I am, if you were crap I just wouldn't say anything, but your times were good."

"I doubt it, I've not swam in weeks, it's been a bit of a hectic summer," he says and I wonder if I should pry, ask him why but I don't because I'm an idiot.

"I'm sure with a few weeks practice you will be fine for the team," I say honestly.

"Thanks."

I was dying to go swimming but now I think I need to run, it's so good for clearing my head and as I didn't get homework I can leave my books at school and run home.

"I best head off, are you ok here?" I ask because honestly I don't want to be here while he gets naked.

"Oh yeah, sure."

I'm almost at the door when he calls me back.

"Thomas? Shit I mean Tom?"

I stop hand on the door and turn to face him.

"I'm sorry about this morning, I hope it didn't make you uncomfortable," he says completely surprising me.

"I – oh – Erm- no it's - sure whatever," I say like a fucking twat – oh my god what is wrong with me.

He smiles at my utter lack of cool.

"You are beautiful though, especially when you blush," he laughs and turning around he heads into the shower.

I stare after him, mouth hanging open, it's only when the shower starts that I leave. I shove my stuff in my locker and I'm running before I'm even out of the car park.