Read Swim Again for Free Online

eating sweets?  You did say you’re trying to make a comeback.”
    “On cheat day, yes.”
    “Well, I don’t doubt that you could get anything you wanted from her.  You are her golden child, not me.  And I’m her only one.”
    “What about your brother and sister?”
    “They don’t count.”  I pointed at Kaz.  “In fact, I may need to send you to get some money for me.”
    “You need some money Mauri?”
    “No, I need my birthday money that she held hostage.”
    “OK,” he said and rested his hand on his chin.  “What’s the story?”
    “She said she wouldn’t give me any of my cards from my relatives, or from my dad, until I chased you down and presented her to you.”
    Kaz chuckled again.  “She’s something else.  And you live with her.”
    “Correction,” I said.  “I live on campus because it was too much to stay at home.”
    “You live twenty minutes away from here.”
    “Exactly.”
    Kaz shook his head.  “I guess I’ll have to let you present me.”
    “One of these days,” I said.  “But until then, it was nice seeing you again, and you got to go.  I’ll take that coffee.”  I reached out my hand.
    “No,” he said and took another sip.
    “You think I’m afraid of your germs?”
    “Oh, now I’m OK to drink after.”
    “Hand it over.”
    “I knew you were working too hard,” Kaz said and tilted his hat up a little.  A bit of the light caught his eyes, which made them begin glistening again.  This dude and his tricks.   I was going to have to get rid of him before I slipped up and kissed him like I wanted to in that moment.  My arm was suddenly weak and dropped to the table. 
    “I figured you need to relax and get some sleep,” Kaz continued, reminding me to listen to what he was saying.  I couldn’t give him a whole host of jokes about the coffee shop.  “So wait until you get home then take a sip.  You have all day Wednesday to study.  That is if you’re not distracted by your boyfriend.”  He took another sip of the coffee, torturing me as usual.  Kaz hadn’t changed that much.  “Where is he by the way?”
    “So that’s how it works?” I said.  “You come back out of the blue and already are up in my business?  And won’t give me the coffee I deserve.”
    “I’m making sure you’re alright.  That’s all.  And the warning about the drink is for your own safety.”
    “Well, he’s respecting my wishes, leaving me to study.”  I raised my eyebrows.
    “Oh, so we’re back to subliminal messages aren’t we?”
    “We’re not back to anything at this point.”
    “Ouch.  Again.   You’re a prickly one now aren’t you?  I have to be the boyfriend to experience the softer side.”
    “Don’t say literally.”
    “I wasn’t going to.  But you wanted me to.”
    “Bye Kaz.”
    My phone buzzed.
    “That’s the same guy isn’t it?” Kaz said.  “Your boyfriend.  He has impeccable timing.”
    “He’s making sure I’m alright,” I said, picking up my phone.  “Excuse me.  Hey, sweetie.”
    “Sweetie?” Kaz mouthed and narrowed his eyes.
    “Who is this?” Hometown said.  “You’ve never called me that.  Want me to come over?”
    “No, I’m alright,” I said.  “I’m just about done, and I need to get some sleep.”
    “Right, the reason you didn’t want me to come by,” he said.  “Sleep.  You can sleep tomorrow.”
    “I can sleep tonight,” I said in the lowest voice possible, acting like Kaz still couldn’t hear me although he was a couple of feet away.  “I have to go.  I’ll see you later.”
    “You want me to pick you up?  I want you to be safe,” Brayden said.  There was no way he didn’t wear a wide grin on the other end of the line.  He thought he could use safety as an excuse to sleep over.
    “I have a ride,” I said.  “One of my friends—”
    “Sam,” Brayden said.  “Alright.  As long as he doesn’t try anything.  Goodnight.”
    “Bye,” I said and hung up.
    “So