Streamline (15 page)

Toward the end of practice, Matt surveyed the group. “Okay, I know you guys are itching for taper to start. Hang in there. For the last set we’re doing partner pulls…
co-ed
partner pulls. Find your partner.” An excited buzz crossed the lanes as the swimmers paired up for the silly race. One swimmer would kick and the other pull, moving together as a unit. Leo submerged and crossed under the lane line to Audrey, grinning at his partner.

She smoothed her finger over the cut on his forehead. “It looks a lot better.”

He glanced at Elaine and Alex in the next lane. “We’re gonna win, Audrey.” A competitive fire flared in his gut. “You think we’d be faster if you pulled or kicked?”

“Your upper body’s stronger. You pull, and I’ll kick.” Leo nodded.

“Fifty sprint partner pull,” Matt said. “Let’s have the puller float out in front and the kicker push off the wall on my signal.” There was more than a little splashing and giggling as the pairs got into position.

“Ready, hup!” Matt yelled.

Leo felt Audrey thrust off the wall behind him, and he pulled strong, quick strokes, striving to keep his legs still. It was an unnatural sensation, but so much fun.

Despite their best efforts, he could see Alex and Elaine nudge ahead in the adjacent lane. Somehow the awkward unit navigated a joint flip turn and headed back toward their coach. Leo touched the wall seconds after Alex, and he looked over with a smug grin.

“Leona, you’re no match for me and my hag!”

Leo bared his teeth, breathing heavily. “Matt! We need a rematch.”

“Anyone object to round two?” the coach asked. His eyebrows lifted when nobody complained. “Okay, we’ll leave in one minute for a rematch.”

Leo bobbed up and down. “This time I’ll kick and you pull,” he told Audrey. “We’re gonna
win
.” Audrey smirked. “It’s not that big a deal.”

“How can you say that?” His jaw dropped. “Where’s your Pensacola Panther pride?”

She laughed. “You’re a dork.” She got in position, and with twenty seconds to go, Leo tickled her feet. She shrieked.

Leo glared at Elaine in the next lane as she clutched Alex’s ankles.

“Bring it on, sistah.”

She flashed an evil grin.

At the start, Leo’s tired legs exploded, churning the water behind him and willing Audrey’s body forward. They took a slight lead on the first length, and somehow they perfectly coordinated their joint flip turn. They sprinted back and managed to finish well ahead of the fag and his hag.

“Yesss!” Leo whooped, punching air. He grabbed Audrey in a hug and plunged her underwater with him. They exchanged goofy grins, staring at each other through their goggles.

He leaned forward and met her soft lips. Their first underwater kiss created bubbles that floated lazily to the surface. Audrey ran her fingers through his coarse hair, and they lingered until his lungs were bursting.

Surfacing and gasping for air, Leo waded to the wall. Matt beckoned, and Audrey came over too. “Hey, Leo, your brother just called.

He wants you to pick him up at the airport.”

“Jason’s still in town?” Leo’s brow furrowed. “Why does he need me to pick him up?”

“He mentioned something about returning a rental car.”

“Huh. Thank you, sir.” Turning away from Matt, Leo placed his hand on the small of Audrey’s back. “I gotta run. Pick you up tomorrow at five fifteen?”

Audrey nodded, and Leo jogged into the locker room.
What
did Jase need?

Leo slowly cruised through passenger pick-up at Pensacola Regional Airport. Why was his brother still in town? He wasn’t sure he wanted to see him.

After circling the airport twice, Leo finally found his brawny brother seated on a bench near curbside check-in. Jason wore the same wrinkled navy shirt and jeans he’d had on three days ago, and dark hollows smudged the skin beneath his eyes. He looked like someone who needed a friend, not someone who’d come to judge.

Time to man up and move forward
, Leo told himself as he rolled down the window. He forced himself to smile. “Hey, big guy, got any Oxycontin you can sell me?”

Jason looked up and grinned as he sank into the passenger seat.

“Watch out for those pills. I hear withdrawal’s a bitch.” Easing the car back into the left lane, Leo wrinkled his nose.

“Uh, I know Seattle’s kind of earthy and granola, but they do believe in showers, right?”

“I’m surprised you can smell anything beyond the chlorine haze.

This car stinks like a freaking swimming pool.”

“Didn’t have time to shower once I heard you needed a ride. I’ll be in major trouble if I don’t get home soon.” Leo gave him a sideways glance. “So where to?”

“I’ll take a wild guess that I’m unwelcome at the Scott home, so I’ll see if I can stay at Marcus’s for a while.”

“Mr. Shale’s?”

“Yeah. I know the way — he doesn’t live all that far from Mom and Dad’s. Here, take this exit.” Jason gestured to the right.

“How do you know where he lives?”

Jason paused. “After Cruel Scumbag beat the crap out of me I hightailed it out of there and ran into Marcus. He’s a really good guy. Where did
you
go that night, by the way? CS was ticked when you were gone.”

“I went to Audrey’s.”

Jason nodded. “I meant to tell you earlier you got yourself a fine-looking girlfriend, Leo. Way to go.”

Leo smiled. “Audrey’s beautiful.” He remembered the brush of her soft mouth on his for their submerged kiss. “On the inside too.”

“Whoa, you got it bad.” Jason laughed. “I hope she’s going to the Academy too. You’re so whipped you can’t survive without her.” Leo’s smile vanished. “She’s going to FSU on a swimming scholarship.” He stared at the road. “I can’t believe I’m going to the Academy.

Part of me always wanted to test myself there — you know, see if I could survive whatever they threw at me. But it’ll suck to be away from Audrey.”

“I’m sure you’ll do great there, buddy.” Jason squeezed his shoulder.

“Pushup punishments will be like a breeze for you.” Leo blushed.

“Turn left here,” Jason said. “What happened after you went to Audrey’s? I was afraid of what CS would do when he found you…but I don’t see any new bruises.”

Leo sighed. “He barged in and told me there’d be ‘consequences’

for leaving the house without his permission. And then Audrey called him a jerk! It was so sweet. CS started threatening her, and I don’t know what overtook me, but I attacked him.” Jason eyes grew big. “You did? What happened?”

“I got him good, Jase.” A grin materialized.

“What, you weigh like a buck-sixty? How’d you pull that off?”

“I guess you started the job, and I finished it.” Satisfaction warmed Leo’s chest.

“I don’t like this, Leo. He won’t let this slide.”

“Well, since he returned from Miramar it’s been okay. As long as I keep giving him negative drug tests, he seems fine.” Jason scowled, clenching his fists. He continued giving curt directions to Marcus’s apartment.

“Jason? How can you stay in Florida? Aren’t you worried Dad will find out?”

“CS knows I’m staying,” Jason said. “Before I returned the rental car, I was at the courthouse for my bail hearing, and Dad visited me there. I turned myself in.”

Leo’s eyes widened. “What? Why?”

Jason sighed. “The truth is I keep relapsing. I did it again after you got beat up. I felt awful I didn’t protect you from CS.”

“I don’t need protection.”

“You’re
seventeen!
You might be all pleased with yourself for beating CS that one night, but he always wins. Don’t you know that?” Jason’s voice grew even louder. “He may end up killing you one day!” Leo cowered.

Jason breathed out in a huff. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to yell. I — I was trying to say I have to make amends to stop relapsing, and I can’t make amends if I’m hiding from the law. My sentencing hearing’s in March.” They drove in silence for a while, then Jason pointed to the right. “There’s Marcus’s apartment building. Right here.” Leo pulled his beat-up car into the parking lot. “So you’re, like, out on bail or something?”

“The judge didn’t set bail because I turned myself in. And, the detective — she said the stolen cell phones mysteriously showed up after an anonymous tip.” Jason turned to face his brother. “I think CS turned the phones in to the police. It had to be him, since he confiscated them from me. I’ll never understand that man,” he added.

Just then, a car pulled into the spot next to Jason, and the driver looked at them with surprise.

“C’mon,” said Jason. All three got out of their cars, but Leo stayed at the driver’s side door.

Jason asked, “Uh, Marcus, would it be okay if I stayed with you for a while? I, uh, I have nowhere else to go.”

“Of course. You can stay as long as you need. What happened at the courthouse?”

“My sentencing hearing’s March fourteenth. I’m charged with grand larceny, a third-degree felony.”

“A felony?” Leo gasped.

Mr. Shale looked at Leo, who quickly tried to hide the scar on his forehead and bruise on his jaw. The counselor gave him a knowing look. “I knew I should’ve made a report.”

“Don’t!” Leo and Jason said at once.

“You’re supposed to call right away,” Jason added. “It’s too late now.”

“Please don’t,” Leo begged. “I hit my dad back this time, and he won’t do it anymore. Please, it’ll only make things worse, sir.” Jason nodded. “He’s almost eighteen.”

“Yeah.” Leo glared. “If you make a report, I’ll say I got into a fight at school. Mr. Morrison will back me up.” Mr. Shale expelled a long sigh. “We miss you at group, Leo.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Have you had cravings for the pain meds?”

“No, sir.”

“That’s bull, Leo.”

Leo flinched and looked away. “I’m not going to use pills, Mr. Shale. I can’t.”

Mr. Shale sighed again. “If it gets bad, you cal me.” Leo nodded and took the offered business card. “My cell number’s on there.

Jason, you ready to go inside?”

“Let’s do it.”

“Wait, Jase!” Leo opened the car door and reached into the back seat. “Here’s an extra shirt for you. It’s all I have, but I can get you some more clothes if you want.”

Jason took the shirt. “Thanks, bro. Don’t tell CS where I’m staying. And give Mom a hug for me, will you?”

“When will I see you?”

“Once I figure out my next move, I’ll find you.” Jason’s eyes locked on his, and Leo felt his worry mix with guarded optimism.

Maybe, just maybe, CS wouldn’t always win.

James beamed as he read the letter from Captain Payson. His department had achieved the highest safety and efficiency ratings for yet another quarter, and his CO was taking notice. James lingered on the praise:
excellent leadership, a demanding yet fair approach,
deserving of greater responsibility
.

The only time he felt a modicum of peace were moments like these. Pursuit of perfection filled the rest of his days, and he was often enraged with himself and others for falling short.

Captain Payson’s letter ended with a recommendation for promotion. James knew the report was making its way up the chain of command, so it was just a matter of time until the captain called to make it official. Good things were happening all around, and only two days remained until Leo’s state swim meet.

With a start James realized it had been more than two months since he’d visited Denny Rose. How could he have let so much time pass? Failing to visit Denny meant failing as a leader. The glowing words he’d just read about himself suddenly disgusted him.

James jettisoned the letter and glanced at his watch. Visiting hours would end soon, so he rose quickly, snatching his cover from his desk. His long legs carried him across the base with purpose, and he returned a series of subordinates’ salutes. James entered the prison and signed the visitor log, waiting only a few moments before a petty officer led him to the visiting booths.

MPs led a handcuffed Denny Rose to the other side of the glass, and James immediately noticed something different about his former second-in-command. Denny didn’t bother to salute before sitting down in a huff.

James eyed him curiously, and both picked up the phones.

When Denny remained silent, James began the conversation.

“You must be upset I haven’t visited in a while. You know how things get in V-Four, Denny.”

“That’s not why I’m upset.”

James realized he’d also dropped the
sir
. “Why are you upset, then?”

Denny paused. “It’s not important. I — just don’t visit me any more. It’s not right.”

“How can you say that?” James paled. “We’re still friends, right?”

“No. Not anymore.”

“What happened? What changed?” James stared at Denny’s bald spot as he looked down, avoiding James’s eyes. Then the likely reason for Denny’s cold shoulder dawned on him, and his whole demeanor changed. “I see your daughter’s been telling some tall tales.” Denny’s head snapped up, eyes round.

“So I got a little physical with Leo.” James shrugged. “What was I supposed to do? He was abusing prescription medication, and I was terrified for his health. The punishment was effective — he’s been clean since then.”