Moment of Truth

“The guy from the movies?” someone behind me asked. “Is he here?”
I knew the real Heath Hall wasn’t here. Well, obviously. Heath Hall was a spy hero character played by the actor Grant James. But the person about to appear was neither the character nor the actor. The person about to appear was some attention-seeker who I’d successfully ignored until this point.

The feedback sounded again and then someone cleared their throat into the microphone. The noise wasn’t coming from the booth, where the announcer was looking around, just as confused as the crowd.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the voice said. “May I present Heath Hall.”
“What the—?” I mumbled. “No.”
A low buzz of chatter rippled through the audience.
“The guy from the movies?” someone behind me asked. “Is he here

The shrill sound of microphone feedback cut through my musi

beat of the music blasting through my headphones.

I splashed him and he grabbed my wrists and pulled me into a hug.

“We’re working, not playing,” he said, his lips on my ear.

“Since when?”

He picked me up, spun me around, and threw me.

The water was cold, but it felt like endless possibilities as it flowed between my fingers. I felt free.

He was fourteen years older than me.”

Jackson gave me his confused face.

“College years are like dog years,” I whispered.

He still didn’t seem to get it but, like he often did,
accepted that Amelia and I spoke our own language sometimes.

He was taking upon himself the training for my entry back into swimming. And he was taking it way too seriously.

I stood and tried to splash him but he had sat just
outside the splash zone. He was getting smarter.

I waded out of the water and onto shore. He knew I was coming for him but he just sat there with a smile on. I sat right on his lap. “I can beat the time. I just need someone to race.”

“If you two are going to be gross, I’m leaving

Well, that and you are pretty charming.”

He started to laugh but then realized what I’d said and his smile softened. “Really?”

I nodded. “Yes, really. You were right. I need people in my life.”

“People?”

“You. I need you.”

He smiled. “Same.” His eyes darted to my lips. “I want to kiss you.”

“Then do it.”

“Is that a challenge?”

I shrugged, took a big sip of my drink, and walked away, trying not to laugh.

He cut me off before I’d made it two steps, wrapped one arm around my waist, and pulled me into a kiss