Chapter 42

“Just hurry up,” Luca said to cover it, and gave in to the urge to kiss Tav’s ear before ducking away and stripping off the rest of his layers. Under the itching to touch Tav, another itch was starting up. He could smell chlorine, and the slick feel of the tiles under his toes was enticing. The water was right out there, and if Tav would just hurry the fuck up, Luca could be in that water, right where he belonged.

The itch was so strong that Luca left Tav behind, ducking through the shower fast as possible before heading out into the echoing abyss of blue that was the pool area. There were mums with toddlers in the shallow end, and an old guy doing some seriously fast widths at the other, and Luca went for a cheery middle, sliding into the warmth with a feeling of intense, religious-experience-level relief. If there was a religion that dictated swimming every Sunday instead of church, Luca would sign up on the spot.