Bound Together (Torn and Bound Duet 2)

“So, how are you really doing?” Drew asks. We’re sitting in the bottom row of the bleachers, watching the different events. Up until now, we’ve been watching in silence, neither of us sure what to say to each other. Ashton is on the other side of the pool with his team, looking the most focused I’ve ever seen him.

“I’m good. It’s cool to see Ashton in his element.”

On our way over, Ashton explained to me that a swim meet has several events, but each swimmer can only participate in four max, and today he’ll be swimming in four different events. He mentioned the names, but all I can remember is free and butterfly—not sure how much that will help me. He also said last year he held the record in three different events. It was interesting to see how animated he got while talking about swimming. Since I only met him this summer, and that asshole Travis got him removed from the first swim meet, I’ve yet to actually see him compete. So far, he’s swum in two events, winning both of them.

“I mean with everything that’s—”

“What are you guys doing here?” a voice says, cutting off Drew. I glance up and find Brayden, dressed in a pair of jeans and an Ice Hawks hoodie, with a beanie on his head, standing in front of us. My heart pitter-patters in my chest at the sight of him, and I have to close my eyes to shut those thoughts down. I’m with Ashton… I love Ashton… but seeing Brayden for the first time since he hurt me makes me realize you can’t just will your feelings to go away. Brayden and I connected on a deeper level and those feelings are still there.

“We’re here to watch Ashton,” Drew says, speaking up, since my voice wouldn’t work quick enough. “You?”

Brayden flinches but quickly schools his features. “Same. I had to submit an essay online, so I’m a little late.”

My first thought is, why is he here? Since when does Brayden support Ashton? The last I checked they hated each other—until I caught them kissing. Then it hits me that he had to submit an essay, and I feel bad that I haven’t been around to tutor him all week. I committed to help him and I’ve let him down. But at the same time, he let me down too.

“I didn’t know you and Ashton were close.” Drew voices my own thoughts.

“We, uh…” He averts his eyes. “We’ve been hanging out this week.”

A sharp pain lances through my heart. Ashton and Brayden kissed. Now they’re hanging out. The two men I care about and hurt me found comfort in each other. I shake the thought away. Ashton is with me now. He wants me. He said I’m enough.

When Drew doesn’t say anything in response, Brayden’s face falls slightly, and my stomach knots. Instinctually I want to go to him, hug him and tell him it’s going to be okay, but I refrain. That’s not my place—not anymore. But just because it didn’t work out between us, doesn’t mean I can’t still care about him, and if I can forgive Ashton, I can forgive Brayden.

“Why don’t you sit with us?” I offer, moving away from Drew so Brayden can sit between us. “Ashton still has two more events.”

Brayden’s eyes widen slightly and dart over to Drew. It takes a couple awkward seconds, but Drew nods once and edges slightly over as well.

“I’m a little shocked to see you here,” Brayden says carefully, once he’s seated. “When I saw Ashton before I left yesterday he was still acting like a growly, pouting little shit.”

I laugh softly, able to imagine Ashton just as Brayden described. “We made up…” I can’t say what I need to say next while looking at him, so I turn my attention to the pool as Ashton and several other swimmers prepare for their race. “We’re, um…” I clear my throat. “We’re together now.”

The horn blows and the swimmers start their race. The crowd erupts in cheers, and I’m thankful for the break in silence. Ashton warned me the races are quick, and he was right. Not even twenty seconds later and the race is over, and Ashton’s the winner. The other two events at least lasted a good forty seconds…

Ashton climbs out of the pool and grabs a couple towels, throwing one over his shoulders and wrapping the other one around his trim torso. His teammates pat him on the shoulder, no doubt congratulating him on his time. I don’t know what’s considered good, but the fact he was the fastest at only eighteen-point-thirty-three seconds is just crazy to me.

My eyes descend along his taut chest and lean abs, my lady parts tingling in memory of the way his hard body felt against mine this morning as he made love to me. The way he took such sweet care of me.