Page 28 of The Catch

There's fake innocence in my voice. Bear and Evie laugh. I smile.

Saint has two little sisters. He doesn't talk much about them. My guess is they make the board, but I don't mention it. If the team doesn't know, then I won't reveal it. Loyalty is the most basic thing I can give in return for the friendship we've had over the years, strange as it is.

Dom's eyes narrow. "I don't believe you."

I shrug. "Oh well. Where is the pool? I'll take this smoothie to Saint."

"I'll figure it out," Dom says. "The pools are through the hall, past the weightlifting machines and treatment area. All the way to the back."

"Do you want me to take you there?" Evie asks.

I push the food carrier into a corner, to pick up later on the way back to the van.

I shake my head. "I'll find my way."

"Remind him to tell you about the show." She smiles. "We can text about it later if you like? Or, now that I know you're from Uruguay, we can get together to share a yerba mate drink sometime."

Evie and I have texted a bit over the past month. It's tentative, as we're just getting to know each other, but she's been incredibly kind. Gently asking me if I'm okay, and if I need anything.

I give her a sincere smile. "I'll take you up on the mate sometime, and I'll text you later regardless. Thanks, Evie."

She smiles, gives me a quick hug, and I leave in search of Saint.

Chapter 11

Ames

I have to cross most of the first floor of the building to find Saint. The smell of chlorine hits me as soon as I open the door to the pool room. It's a smallish, warm space, compared to the weight room behind me or the expanse of the field outside. Fully tiled, it holds five metal tubs and three small pools. One of them looks like an underwater treadmill, wide enough to reach from side to side, and with metal rods and handles fixed to the edges. A larger one, quietly waiting at a corner, seems to have underwater handrails. From my place, they look like the kind of implements gymnasts train on. Saint is in the last one. It's a much more traditional-looking one, with a sitting ledge all around.

Even through the water, I can see him relaxing in only shorts. By the time I realize I'm licking my lips, it's too late to stop it. His thick thighs are out to play again, like when I first came to his place unannounced and I caught him in his underwear. Just like back then, his chain shines around his neck. His sculpted everything is a sight to behold, including the hills of his wide shoulders and arms, stretched out on the edge of the pool.

He looks like this is his favorite vacation spot. His eyes remain closed. My heart skips a beat.

"I'll be out soon." His voice is placating. "But no club for me tonight either."

"Why not?" I ask. I may have blushed from the sight alone. "It's been a while. You used to be there every week…"

Like maybe I'm catching him in a private moment… or he could catch me getting flustered.

Saint's eyes snap open. "This is a surprise."

He tracks my movements as I take a folded stool leaning against the wall. I open it, one handed, then sit on it. Affecting a casual mood, I lean back on the wall, using a few towels hanging from hooks for cushioning.

I'm in his line of sight.

I shake the smoothie in my hand. "I brought you something."

He nods and stretches a long arm in my direction. I mirror him and give him his drink. He goes right back to relaxing against the pool side wall.

He takes a sip. "Thanks. Wonderful service. Five stars."

"Now you only need a splash of something alcoholic, and you could fully pretend you're in a seaside resort."

"Hey, this is basic self care. Taking care of my body is important in this job."

"I'm sure it is. And now that you have someone at home interrupting your recreational activities, you have to take your chance at self care whenever you can, right?"

He sips from his smoothie again and rolls his eyes. "Stop with that already. If I wanted to, I'd find a way."