I ignored his teasing, too focused on watching Teddy prepare for his event. He was stretching at the edge of the pool, his movements fluid and confident. I could see the concentration on his face even from our spot in the stands. Something tightenedin my chest as I watched him, something that felt dangerously close to what I’d sworn I would never feelever.
The first few events went by in a blur. I found myself getting caught up in the excitement despite my initial reluctance, cheering along with the crowd whenever a Widdershins swimmer took the lead. Linden seemed equally invested, his deep voice booming out encouragement.
“When is Teddy’s event?” he asked during a brief lull.
“The two hundred meter freestyle is coming up soon,” I said, checking the program. “That’s his specialty.”
“You’ve really done your homework,” Linden teased, but his smile was kind. “It’s nice to see you care about someone other than yourself, Nerion.”
I didn’t respond, my throat suddenly tight. Instead, I focused on the announcer calling the next event.Teddy’sevent. My heart rate picked up as I watched him approach the starting block, adjusting his goggles one last time.
“That’s him,” I said unnecessarily, pointing him out to Linden. “Lane four.”
Teddy looked up into the stands then, as if searching for something, orsomeone. When his gaze landed on me, his face broke into a smile so bright it was like looking directly at the sun. He raised his hand in a small wave, and without thinking, I waved back.
“Just friends, huh?” Linden muttered, but I ignored him.
The swimmers took their positions on the blocks, and the tension in the air was palpable. When the starting signal sounded, they launched into the water almost as one. Teddy hit the water with perfect form, emerging with powerful strokes that immediately put him in the lead.
“Go, Teddy!” I shouted, surprising myself with my enthusiasm. Beside me, Linden joined in, his voice carrying over the crowd.
Teddy was magnificent in the water. Each stroke was precise, powerful, his body undulating through the freestyle with a grace that seemed almost supernatural. He maintained his lead through the first turn, though a swimmer from the opposing team was close behind.
“Come on, Teddy!” I found myself on my feet without realizing I’d stood, my hands cupped around my mouth as I shouted. “You’ve got this!”
The race tightened as they approached the final turn. The opposing swimmer had closed the gap, and they were neck and neck heading into the last fifty meters. The crowd was deafening now, everyone on their feet.
“He’s falling behind,” I said, my voice tight with anxiety. “Why is he falling behind?”
“He’s pacing himself,” Linden reassured me, his eyes fixed on the pool. “Look.”
Sure enough, as they hit the final twenty-five meters, Teddy seemed to find another gear. His stroke rate increased, his powerful arms propelling him forward with renewed energy. The crowd’s roar grew louder as he inched ahead, and then suddenly he was pulling away.
“Yes!” I screamed as Teddy touched the wall a full body length ahead of his closest competitor. “He did it! He won!”
Without thinking, I threw my arms around Linden, jumping up and down in celebration. Linden laughed, lifting me off my feet in his enthusiasm. When he set me down, he gave me a knowing look.
“Still want to claim you’re just friends?”
I was too caught up in the moment to care about maintaining my facade. “Shut up and let me enjoy this,” I said, turning back to watch as Teddy pulled himself from the pool.
His teammates swarmed him, clapping him on the back and ruffling his wet hair. His coach was beaming, stopwatch in handas she showed him his time. Even from here, I could see Teddy’s shocked expression, followed by a grin that lit up his entire face.
“He must have beaten his personal record,” I said, unable to contain my enthusiasm. “He’s gotta be so proud of himself!”
I couldn’t take my eyes off Teddy as his teammates celebrated around him. The way his face lit up with genuine pride made something warm unfurl in my chest. I’d never seen him look so...free.
“Let’s go down and congratulate him,” Linden suggested, already standing up.
“What? No, I—” But Linden was already making his way through the crowd, his tall frame easily parting the sea of spectators. I had no choice but to follow, my heart hammering in my chest.
By the time we reached the pool deck, Teddy was wrapped in a towel, his hair still dripping as his coach talked animatedly to him. I hung back slightly, suddenly unsure of myself. What was the protocol here? Was I supposed to hug him? Give him a high five? This wasn’t something friends with benefits typically did.
Before I could decide, Teddy spotted me. His smile grew impossibly wider as he broke away from his coach and teammates, making a beeline toward us.
“You came!” he exclaimed, his eyes bright with excitement.
“I said I would,” I replied, trying to sound casual despite the flutter in my stomach. “This is my friend Linden.”