The Secret Trinity Unearth (7 page)

Deep in thought about what one wore to a house party, I walked into Music Appreciation and immediately caught Liam’s eye. He smirked at me, watching as I climbed the steps, and when I made it to my seat he patted the cushion with his palm and smiled.

“You are in luck. I saved this seat just for you Ari.” I took the seat and I could see he was pleased to be using my nickname.

“Thanks, you shouldn’t have,” I smiled wide, playing along. I mentally swore at myself because I was borderline flirting again. I tried to think about what Kayla had said. Liam is my friend, nothing more.

“So…I was sad that my new friend didn’t call on her Irishman.” He was obviously referring to his little cell phone joke. Now what would I say if I were just talking to Kayla, or Morgan; I momentarily pondered.

“Well I have been busy. Usually my friends are not so needy.” He laughed. It was working. I can do this.

“Then I should confess the real reason I wanted you to call.” He said while turning in his seat to face me. I eyed him suspiciously as he had the same look he always did when he was about to say something sarcastic.

“I was hoping you would call so then I would have your number. At that point my plan was to phone you in five minute increments all day until you agreed to a date.”

I couldn’t hold back my laughter, “Sorry, I don’t date stalkers.”

Before he could respond Professor Barklin announced what the lecture would cover today. I reluctantly peeled my eyes from Liam’s smile attempting to focus my attention toward the front of the room. I was semi-listening to the lecture while semi-daydreaming about how Liam lips would feel on mine. Joking around with him only made me like him more. This was going to be a tough experiment.

After class Liam walked out with me, “Would you like to have breakfast. I will even let you pay for your own meal with no protest.”

I looked up to meet his eyes full of whimsy and gave him a playful jab in the ribs. In response, he bent over and clutched his side, pretending it hurt, but he failed to hide a wide smile.

“I can’t have breakfast today. I have to finish my English homework before class.” It was the truth, but he looked at me as if he thought I was making it up.

“Do you have any plans this evening?” He said it as he raised one eyebrow curiously testing me.

“Actually, yes, I have plans.”

He tilted his head to the side, “a hot date?” I let out a single “Ha!” If I was going to break the rules, it wasn’t going to be with anyone but Liam.

“No, I told you. I’m holding up my end of the deal. I volunteered to clean the mirrors of the dance studios after hours tonight. When I’m done my teacher said it was okay if I stayed to practice for awhile.”

Something sparked in his eyes, “Well it just so happens that I swim laps in the recreation center most nights. If my memory serves it is on the same street. Maybe when you are done with dance practice you would like a refreshing dip in the pool.”

He’s a swimmer. That explained the broad shoulders and lean muscles. If I saw him in a pool he would most definitely be shirtless. I didn’t think I had the strength.

“I think I will pass, maybe some other time.” He shrugged disappointed, “Your loss, the water is perfect during these muggy nights.”

My loss indeed; the thought of splashing around in a pool with Liam in minimal clothing was a jolt to my senses. We said our goodbyes and parted ways. I spent the rest of the day fantasizing about what Liam would look like in swim trunks.

*****

It only took an hour to wipe down the floor to ceiling mirrors in all of the dance studios. My real motivation was to have some time alone to practice and clear my head. I stayed and worked out in the smallest studio for another couple of hours before calling it quits. I had worn myself out, but no matter how much I tried I could not push Liam out of my head. There was no way the levitation would surface when I was this out of focus.

The hallway was dark and empty when I stepped out of the room. I could only hear the sound of vacuuming in the distance. I guessed it was just me and the custodian left. When I exited the building it was dark outside and the street lights were on. It surprised me. I checked my phone to see that it was past nine o’clock, much later than I had thought. I quickly walked down the street back toward the dorm.

The sidewalks were mostly empty on this part of town. On a Friday night, everyone was probably out at the bars or house parties. I had a knot in the pit of my stomach and I could hear my heart thud. I was quickly becoming aware of how alone and alert I felt out here in the dark. Suddenly the hairs on my neck prickled sending a shiver down my spine. My heart started to violently pound in my chest like it was trying to break out completely.

I stopped midstride and whipped around to look behind me. My eyes searched frantically, but there was no one there, only the flicker of street lights. My breathing had become erratic. I kept waiting for him to appear, nothing.

Finally I turned to keep walking, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being watched. My heart continued to race wildly as I thought of him, his black hair, and his eyes on me. My adrenaline was pumping so hard I was shaking, reminding me of our chase in the woods behind my house.

Is it possible he followed me here? I gulped hard. I should not have been walking around at night by myself ever, let alone when I was being stalked by some nut job.

After a few blocks I noticed the recreation building. Maybe Liam was still there. The lights poured from the building through its windows onto the dark street, so I knew it was still open. Regardless of whether he was in there, the idea of temporarily escaping the darkness was too good to pass up. I needed to catch my breath and slow down my heart beat. I was the one making myself edgy, not some ghost person. I would go inside to get my bearings and then walk home with confidence.

I went down the hallway of the mostly deserted recreation center. Since you could swipe your student identification card to get into the building, I did not even see any staff. The florescent overhead lights were blinding after coming in from the dark, and I squinted as I made my way toward the back of the building. I paused for a moment, looking around before going into the girl’s locker room which is connected to the pool on the other side. My heart rate had slowed and my scary stranger was nowhere in sight. I knew it had only been my imagination. I was getting too paranoid.

Walking into the locker room there was dead silence. All I heard was the faint sound of water splashing. My guess was right; everyone was out partying this evening. I shuddered at the thought of returning to the empty street. What was the harm in checking? I tried to justify this move in my head, but after a day of fantasizing about Liam shirtless, my curiosity won. As long as I kept my distance I’d be fine. I repeated that in my head until I almost believed it.

I opened a locker door a tiny sliver to peer into the swim area. I could barely see him, but in the pool slicing his long lean arms through the water, I knew it was Liam. He was wearing a skull cap and goggles, yet his glorious broad shouldered silhouette was instantly recognizable. He looked magnificent, better than I had imagined. He cut through the water so gracefully. It looked like swimming came as a natural born skill.

I watched him for a couple of laps and decided I had a choice to make. I could keep watching him like a creeper, or I could say a quick hello and leave. I walked through the locker door as my flip-flops clapped loudly on the wet tile floor. Liam instantly stopped in the aqua water, mid-lap. The loud slapping sound must have startled him. When he looked up, he lifted off his goggles and skull cap leaving them floating in the water and he gave me the brightest smile I had seen yet.

He dipped under water for a split second and as he broke the surface he shook out his hair, lightly spraying me with tiny droplets. I froze and my mouth went slightly slack. Just when I thought he could not have been more
fine
, I had to see him wet and shirtless. This was torture.

“Wonderful, you changed your mind, jump in!” Quickly trying to recover from gaping at him, I took a step back.

“Uh, what? No, I didn’t bring my swim suit. I stopped by on my way home to say hello. I’m surprised to even see you. It’s deserted around here.” He snapped his fingers, as if to say damn.

“Well, to be honest, I usually don’t stay this late but I… I guess I was hoping you would stop by.” He bowed his head down at his admission of waiting for me.

I failed to hide my smile. I was flattered. He looked at me thoughtfully with those penetrating dark grey eyes and my stomach did a soft roll.

“Why don’t you stay for a bit, have a chat? You should grab my towel and at least come cool off your feet.” He pointed to the bench where a big white fluffy towel lay.

I sighed; maybe I should have left without saying a word. I would only stay for a few minutes. Any more time would feel like a date. I walked to the bench, set my dance bag on it, slid off my flip-flops, and grabbed the towel. I hiked up my black yoga pants to just above my knees and sat on the towel.

Allowing my legs to hang in the water, I swished my feet around clinging to edge. It did feel nice. Liam rested his arms on the ledge beside me as he slowly kicked his legs in the water. Most of his back was in my view and the water glistened over his well-carved, defined muscles.

I had an overwhelming urge to reach out and glide my hand over his skin. He looked smooth and perfect in the water, like he was made for it. My breath became unsteady as I tried to control myself, clutching to the edge of the pool until my knuckles turned white. He looked up, and I quickly redirected my focus hoping he had not caught me staring again. His mouth curled up into a smile. I think he noticed.

“So, any exciting plans for this weekend?” He asked, and I shrugged, not wanting to tell him about the party tomorrow night. I had a notion that Liam and I, in a dark basement at the house party, was a bad combination.

“Um...not really. I’m just hanging out with Kayla and Morgan. Not unless you count swimming in an empty recreation building with a relative stranger exciting.” His grin turned into a full smile, exposing his bright white teeth framed by full lips.

I closed my eyes for a moment overwhelmed by his exquisiteness. I wanted to kiss him. I needed to will myself to leave, but I felt glued to the floor.

“I would call that exciting indeed, but technically you’re not swimming, yet.” He said it paired with a wink and my eyes turned wide. Before I could react, I felt his hand on the small of my back and in one swift push I was in. As my head broke free from the glassy surface my only mission was to seek and destroy.

“You jerk!” I squealed. His hand was over his mouth in an attempt to conceal his laughter but his chest was shaking. With all the arm strength I had, I splashed him like crazy. Then I dove toward him wrapping my arm around his neck while using the other hand to push his head under. Even though I was sure he was stronger, he played along and disappeared in a dunk underwater.

I released him and pushed away, “Goodnight Liam!” I began to swim back to the ledge to climb out.

In an instant he was next me, “Oh, come on, it’s just water. I’m sorry. I just could not resist. You should have seen your face.” He bit his lower lip trying to suppress his laugh.

“I know it’s just water, but I am not exactly sporting swimwear here.” I gestured down at my now drenched clothing.

I was wearing a light sweatshirt over a sports bra and tank top. The heavy material was weighing me down in the water. I would never admit it but the cool liquid felt great on the back of my neck. After being in a hot, muggy dance studio all night, it was a welcome sensation. But I was still perturbed.

“I’m sorry. I promise I’ll stop laughing, but you’re already soaked so you might as well stay for a swim,” His voice was confident and calm, and I sighed in defeat.

“I am only staying for a few more minutes to cool off, and then I am out of here.” I did not want to give him the satisfaction that my staying might have something to do with seeing him in swim trunks.

I pulled the now heavy sweatshirt over my head, and slopped it onto the edge of the pool. When I turned to face him his eyebrows were furrowed, and he looked at me with weighted concern.

“What is that?” He asked. All traces of humor had vanished from his voice. “Is that why you cringed when I tapped your shoulder the other day?” He was pointing at my bruises.

I had completely forgotten about them. I should have kept my sweatshirt on. Instinctively, I crossed my arms over my chest, covering the bruises with my hands.

“It’s nothing, don’t worry about it.” I tried to drop the subject but his eyes narrowed.

“Who did this?” He asked.

I really did not want to get into the whole story. The bruises had faded to a dull yellow. I was only days away from extinguishing the constant reminder tattooed on my body of one of the most frightening nights of my life. I did not want to think about Doug, or the black haired stranger in the woods, tonight or ever. I had come in here to walk home with no fear.

“No one, I fell. Let’s just drop it. I’m fine,” I finally said.

He sighed, “Ari. Those bruises are obviously outlines of fingers, so I know you did more than fall. Please tell me the truth; be a friend.” His voice rattled with protective anger which caught me off guard. His eyes looked full of anguish and I glanced down at the water, embarrassed he had seen them at all.

“It’s just my…sort of ex, Doug. He got a little rough with me a couple of weeks ago. I got away from him and have not seen him since. I am almost healed and would like to forget it ever happened. Doug is the reason the girls and I made the pact in the first place.”

He looked at me with deep thoughtful eyes and reached out to uncover the protection of my hand. His body drifted toward me, now only inches from mine, and he looked down to examine my bruises. I felt his fingertips glide gently over my shoulder. It sent a shudder through my entire body and he looked at me with pain in his eyes. I looked away.