A Whole New Crowd (A Whole New Crowd 1)

He nodded, narrowing his eyes at me. Then he said, “I’m the coach. Our season is starting up soon. Can you try-out?”

“I’m not into team sports.”

“Yeah, but swimming doesn’t have to be all-team. You do your own thing and I see the fight in you. My gut is telling me you want to try-out because you want to see if you’re the best.”

“I doubt I’m the best. I just started swimming again.”

“Yeah, I’m still going with my gut. You’ve got an itch in your eye. You’re a fighter. Swimming for fun, alone, on a Friday night won’t satisfy you for long. We’ve got try-outs Monday. I’ll pitch you against my best swimmers. You can tell me then if you’re interested or not.”

He nodded again, going to an office door in the corner. Before he shut it behind him, he said again, “Try-outs are on Monday. Here. 4:00. I’ll see you then.”

I wasn’t going to do it. I already knew I wouldn’t, but I couldn’t shake his words. He had a gut feeling. I was a fighter. I wouldn’t be satisfied with swimming alone. Maybe… No.

I stopped thinking about it. When I got home, the house was dark. The lights were still on in the basement, but I went upstairs. It wasn’t long until I heard Shelly take Austin’s friends home. When they returned, she told him in the hallway, “Go to bed, honey. I’ll give you a ride to Patrick’s tomorrow.” Then she knocked on my door. “Taryn?”

“Yeah?” I was at my desk and I closed my computer when she opened the door.

She smiled, skimming over me. She leaned her head against the door. “How was swimming?”

“It was good.” I tried to suppress the small surge in me when I saw her warmth. My throat swelled up. “The swim coach was there.” Why did I tell her that?

“Really? Coach Hayes?”

I nodded.

She gave me another tender smile. “He’s a good man. He’s a good coach too. Did he talk to you?”

No other foster parent had been interested in my swimming. The fact that she was even asking questions sparked a longing in me that I hadn’t known was there. My voice was hoarse when I said, “Yeah. He invited me to try-outs.”

“Oh good. That’s great, Taryn. Are you going to try-out?”

“No.” I shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“I think you should. I think sports are always a good idea. I know you aren’t that fond of Mandy’s friends, and if you’re on the swim team, you might meet other girls like you. Who knows. Maybe they like swimming for the same reason you do.”

“Yeah. Maybe.” My chest was so tight. She seemed so interested. I was having a hard time remembering why I’d been angry at her before.

“Okay, honey.” She came in, smoothed back my hair from my forehead, and pressed a kiss there. “Have a good night. When Mandy gets in, let her know that I have to take Austin to Patrick’s early in the morning. They have a tournament this weekend.”

“I will.” My throat was still so full. I could barely get my words out. She left and I closed my eyes. A tear slid free. I let it go. I never had an adult care before. My chest tightened and then I wiped another tear away. I tried to ignore the fear I was feeling. They adopted me. They must love me. This wasn’t a charade. I kept telling myself that when I got ready for bed and laid there, staring at the ceiling. It wasn’t a charade. They really did love me.

My phone buzzed and distracted me. “Hello?” I didn’t want to analyze why I was glad for the distraction.

“Hey, where are you?” It was Mandy.

“At home.”

“Mom and Dad home?”

“Yeah. Everyone’s in bed. I don’t know where your dad is and your mom said to tell you that she’s taking Austin somewhere early tomorrow morning.”

“Thank God.” She breathed in relief. “Listen, if Mom and Dad ask, tell them I came home late and left early.”

“Are you at Devon’s?”

There was a moment of silence on the other end for a moment. “Are you going to be mad if I say yes?”

“No,” I muttered. “You already know how I feel.”