“Hey man, good to see you out of costume. And great race!” Linden extended his hand, which Teddy shook enthusiastically. “Nerion wouldn’t shut up about how good you are.”
I shot Linden a death glare, but Teddy just laughed, the sound making my stomach flutter.
“Thanks for coming,” he said, his eyes finding mine again. “It means a lot.”
“You were amazing out there,” I told him, meaning every word. “Like you were part of the water.”
Something shifted in Teddy’s expression, a softness I wasn’t prepared for. Before I could process it, he had pulled me into a hug. He was still wet, his skin cool against mine, but I didn’t care. I returned the embrace, breathing in the familiar chlorine scent of him.
“I beat my personal best by three seconds,” he whispered in my ear, his voice thick with emotion. “I’m approaching Olympic times now.”
“I’m not surprised,” I murmured back. “You were born to swim.”
When we pulled apart, Teddy kept his hands on my shoulders, studying my face with an intensity that made me want to look away. But I held his gaze, letting myself get lost in those hazel eyes for just a moment.
The moment was shattered by a sharp, authoritative voice from behind Teddy.
“Theodore.Whatwas that?”
I watched as Teddy’s expression transformed instantly. The joy drained from his face, replaced by a carefully neutral mask as he turned to face a tall, stern-looking man in an expensive suit. Beside him stood a woman with the same blonde hair as Teddy, though hers was styled in a perfect bob and she wore a designer dress that probably cost more than the pool.
“Father,” Teddy said, his voice suddenly formal. “Mother. I didn’t know you were coming.”
“Clearly,” his father replied, his eyes flicking briefly to me before returning to his son. “We decided to surprise you.”
“What did you think?” Teddy asked, and I could hear the hope in his voice, the desperate need for approval that made my heart ache.
His father frowned slightly. “Your time was decent, but your turn was sloppy. You lost at least half a second there. And your competitor in lane five was gaining on you at the end.”
I stared in disbelief. Teddy had just won the race and shattered his personal record, and this was what his father had to say?
“But I won,” Teddy pointed out, his voice smaller now.
“Yes, well,” his father said dismissively, “you were lucky the other guy was so slow. If you’d been up against a real competitor, that performance wouldn’t have cut it.”
I felt something snap inside me. Before I could think better of it, I stepped forward.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I demanded, my voice louder than I intended. “Your son just dominated that race. He was incredible.”
Teddy’s father turned to me, his eyebrows raised in surprise. “And you are?”
“Nerion,” I said, not bothering to offer my hand. “I’m Teddy’s... friend.”
“I see,” he replied, his tone making it clear he didn’t approve of me. “Well, Nerion, I’ve been coaching Theodore since he was six years old. I think I know what I’m talking about.”
“Coaching him or crushing him?” I shot back, feeling Linden’s hand on my shoulder in warning. “Because from where I was standing, he just gave an Olympic-level performance, and all you can do is criticize him.”
“Nerion,” Teddy said quietly, but I was too far gone now. My anger had a death grip on me.
“No, Teddy, this isn’t right,” I insisted, turning back to his father. “Your son is talented and hardworking and just accomplished something amazing. And instead of being proud of him, you’re tearing him down. What kind of father does that?”
The man’s face darkened with anger. “I don’t know who you think you are, young man, but this is a family matter. Theodore understands that excellence requires constant improvement. Complacency leads to failure.”
“Bullshit,” I spat. “What he needs is support, not your negging.”
Teddy’s mother gasped, and his father’s face turned an alarming shade of red.
“Theodore,” he said tightly, “I think it’s time you started looking for some new friends. Clearly these ones aren’t right for you.”