As others catch the name change on the board, murmurs start up around the pool. Rory hears gasps and murmurs, then a few laughs, and someone cries out, “About damn time!” He feels heat rising from his neck to color his cheeks and ears, a smoldering that has nothing to do with the way his libido raged before the race. Now Chase’s touch sears his skin, and Rory steps out from under his teammate’s arm, distancing himself.
In a low, bitter voice, he hisses, “You used me.”
Chase’s smile falters. “What? No. I just—I swam better, that’s all. You were late off the block—”
“Because you distracted me,” Rory snaps.
With a laugh, Chase says, “Well, whatever. You caught up real fast, I’ll give you that, and for a moment I honestly thought you’d win anyway, but I pushed through so I guess now I’m nu
