“How do you know about that?” That was my goal. Right now I was swimming three, but I wanted to add butterfly to my race schedule and Coach thought it was too much.

“Everyone who is ever around the pool knows about that, Hadley. You ask him on a weekly basis.”

I laughed. It was true. For a second there I thought maybe he and Coach had been talking, maybe he had some inside information.

“Have you had any college interest yet?” he asked.

“I’m scheduled to visit some, but I still have time to decide. I really want San Diego and I really want a swimming scholarship.” The coach there had been to several of my races. Adding the butterfly to my schedule might push him to make me an official offer.

“Is that all?”

“I know it’s a lot to hope for.” I put my arms up on the cement and rested my chin on them, inches away from his legs. My toes clung to the slanted portion of the wall under the water.

“If anyone can get it you can.”

“What about you? What are your plans next year?”

“Continue with my undergrad classes for sports medicine. Here in town.”

“You’re staying here?”

“I’m only eighteen, you know. I do have a lot more time to decide.”

I realized it must’ve sounded like I was judging him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for that to sound like . . . I’m just surprised you want to stay here is all.”

“I like it here. You don’t?”

“I . . .” I needed to get away from here, away from the ghost that hung over our house. I couldn’t say that to him, though. I didn’t say that to anyone. “I like it here. I’m just ready for a change.”

He smiled. “Change is good.”

He held my gaze, seeming to imply something more than what he was saying. I started to ask him another question when he quickly stood. “I better go, let you get back to practice.”

“Okay. Have fun reading.” That sounded lame but it was too late to take back.

When I climbed out of the pool thirty minutes later, I had a text waiting for me from Amelia: Red Café tonight. I will impart to you everything I know about fake Heath Hall.

After my second shower of the day and a much-needed nap, Amelia and I sat at our usual corner booth at the Red Café. Amelia took a sip of her soda, then offered me some.

“No.”

“Still punishing yourself?”

“Not drinking soda is a reward, not a punishment.”

“In what universe?”

“It helps my time.”

“You say that about everything.” Before I could respond she said, “I know, I know. If you don’t sacrifice for what you want, you’ll be sacrificed.”

I laughed. “That’s not how the quote goes.”