6. Two thumbs up

SIX

TWO THUMBS UP

SHEP

I heard her before I saw her, and even when I finally realized the blonde yelling at me was Harlow, nothing made sense.

I jogged over as quickly as I could but she stood there frozen as if in shock. I instantly thought, Did she think I was going to hit her? Trying to be gentle with her and bring her back to reality seemed like the wise choice, but, surprise, it backfired. Her freak out over my shift was just the icing on the whole fucking cake.

I continue musing to myself about the interaction from the parking lot as I put my stuff away in the office and make my way out to my stand.

It isn’t until I make it to the ladder and climb up into my guarding chair that I see the reason why Harlow appeared so rattled in the parking lot. In the far corner, a man who I know to be Coach Bradford is sitting on the edge of one of the bleachers with some disgustingly buff looking guy who looks kinda familiar. They’re talking to each other, looking at paperwork, then Coach Bradford checks the watch on his wrist.

When he looks up, I follow his stare to find a very sheepish looking Harlow about thirty feet from me, snaking her way out of the locker room onto the pool deck. Her eyes flit between the bleachers and me. She stops for a second, and I wonder if she’s going to turn around. Then I see the rise and fall of her shoulders as she takes a deep breath, and her feet start moving in the direction of Coach Bradford and the other guy.

I have to admit, the contrast of this shy person in front of me versus the feisty one in the parking lot just minutes ago has me wondering if maybe the tough girl attitude is all a front. Maybe Harlow’s attempts to be closed off is the armor she needs to protect herself. But from what?

She takes a few more steps, then stops one more time and glances back in my direction. I see panic and shame flooding her face. I screw my features up into a look of confusion, then it dawns on me a little too late. Her coach, the other guy—this must be some sort of evaluation and I’m here to see it.

I can’t decide if I should just try and not pay attention or do something. I mean, I can’t really do much other than leave my shift, but I got called in early for a double because someone else is sick so I know that’s not actually an option. Guess I’ll just try and ignore what’s going on. After all, Harlow made it very clear in the parking lot that she wants me to leave her alone and stay in my lane.

And I’m about to do just that, except, when I glance over again, there’s a look of desperation in her green eyes that has me shaking my head, doing something I’m probably going to regret.

I blow my whistle and everyone looks in my direction, including Harlow. I motion for her to come over to my stand, her mouth falling open. I clear my throat and call out, “Excuse me, could you come over here please?”

Harlow whips her head around to ensure it’s her I’m signaling to, then turns back in my direction and points her finger at herself. “Me?” she mouths.

I nod my head and look over at the direction of her coach and whoever else is with him. I couldn’t care less what they think of me at this moment.

Harlow needs some rescuing and I just happen to be a lifeguard.

She looks over towards the bleachers, and her coach flicks his hand in the air giving her the go-ahead to come talk to me. Looking at me again, I can see the panic in her eyes, but she starts trudging towards me anyway.

I meet her at the bottom of the chair ladder and her face is twisted into a look of frustration and confusion.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Her voice comes out low as she clenches her teeth.

“I know,” I say softly. “I know why you freaked out in the parking lot.”

She straightens at this and crosses her arms. There’s that armor. “Yeah, you almost hitting me?—”

“Stop. Just stop, Harlow. We both know I wasn’t even close to you. Something’s happening today with your coach, isn’t it? I know that’s him over there.”

I watch as the gears turn and it’s like she’s trying to decide if she wants to fight me on this. I’m shocked though as her harsh expression falls and she whispers, “Yeah.”

“And what? You don’t want me here because…” I start.

“Because, nothing. I just wasn’t expecting to see you here during all this.” She waves her arm toward the water before meeting my gaze. “It’s fine. I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not fine.” I pause for a second, trying to gather my thoughts. “Harlow, you’re right. I don’t know everything about you, but the little I do know from observing you over the last few weeks leads me to believe you’re off your game right now.”

She glares, a devilish grin starting to form on her face. “So you have been watching me?” There’s an edge in her tone that makes the blood rush straight between my legs.

“That isn’t the point here.” I move the bright red rescue buoy I wear around my shoulder to the front of my body, hiding what’s growing in my shorts. “Look, I’m just trying to help you out. Can you tell me what’s going on right now?”

She fidgets with the strap of her bathing suit, snapping the fabric on her skin. I can’t help myself and reach out, stilling her hand with mine. She freezes, her eyes widening, and stares at me.

“Why do you do that? Always find a reason to touch me.” I barely hear her soft voice. She looks down at my hand and then pries my fingers away.

“I’m sorry. I don’t have an answer for you other than I just want to help. Is there anything I can do for you at this moment? Besides giving you these few minutes away from your Coach and…”

“Athletic trainer.” She finishes my sentence for me. “That’s Pierce Harding. The A.T. for our swim team,” she clarifies.

“Right, well, either way, can I help?”

As if she has a sudden realization her guard’s been let down for too long, she snaps back into her cold demeanor and takes a step away from me.

“No. I’m fine. Thanks.” She turns and walks back over to the bleachers.

“Whatever,” I mutter under my breath as I climb back up onto my stand.

As I situate myself, I study her body language while she talks to her Coach and the athletic trainer. From where I am, it seems to be going well, but what do I really know?

Coach Bradford points to a piece of paper, Harlow nods her head, and Pierce stands up, moving towards her. I about jump off my stand when he places his palms on either side of her hips and runs his hands up her sides. She’s looking up at the rafters, letting his hands touch her in ways I’ve only dreamt about.

She spins around and is now facing me. Pierce works his hands over her shoulder and down her arm. Her eyes feel like they’re looking through me as he continues to massage her upper back and do small rotations with her arms. She looks so lost .

Pierce says something to Coach Bradford and he scribbles on his clipboard. Harlow looks scared and uncertain, sending an ache into my chest that I can’t identify.

After a few more assisted stretches, she gets her cap and goggles before heading over to the swim block. She closes her eyes and her mouth is moving ever so slightly as if mumbling something to herself.

Coach Bradford stands up and walks to the edge of the pool with Pierce, then yells at Harlow to go ahead and get in the water. She flinches at his tone then looks my way again. I offer her a soft smile, giving her two thumbs up while nodding my head and, I’ll be damned, her face softens and she nods her head in return.

Pulling her swim cap over her head, she slides her goggles on, and dives into the pool. I watch her streamline under the water for a few seconds before she breaks the surface and begins freestyle.

Her strokes are effortless and I’m lulled into a sense of peace watching her swim. It’s like she was born to do this.

A few more minutes go by and Coach Bradford calls her to the edge of the pool. She wades over and her loud, “What?!” cuts through the silence of the rec center.

I can’t help but lean forward, trying to make out the conversation between Harlow and her Coach. Even Pierce looks a little alarmed.

“You want to be back with the team?” I hear Coach Bradford respond, and it’s less of a question than it is a threat.

Harlow shakes her head and smacks the water with her hand. What the hell?

Pierce steps forward and whispers something in Coach Bradford’s ear. Offering no privacy for the conversation, Coach Bradford parrots what I imagine Pierce said, but in a louder voice. “Well, I need her ready!”

He’s shaking his head now, walking back over to the bleachers grabbing his stuff. They’ve been here for maybe ten minutes and the guy is already calling it quits?

Pierce steps forward now and crouches down near Harlow. I try to read his lips but it’s no use. Harlow pulls off her cap and goggles, throwing them onto the pool deck, then sinks herself underwater.

I’ve watched her do this many times at the end of her practices, but she doesn’t break the surface quickly like she usually does. Instead, I’m watching her sink lower and lower to the bottom of the pool from my chair. I stand up, peering out into the water. Pierce is also now looking over the edge into the pool, then looks back up at me. A flash of urgency strikes his face when the strangest noise emanates through the air. What sounds like a garbled scream rings out from under the water and bubbles quickly rise to the surface.

I’m not even thinking as I race down my ladder and charge towards these two assholes who have seemingly crushed Harlow’s spirit.

“What the hell did you do, huh?” My voice is trembling with anger. I’ve never felt this level of protectiveness before except with my mom, and I’m still usually able to stay level-headed.

“Easy there, son. Who do you think you’re talking to?” Coach Bradford snaps.

“You!” I shout back. “I’m talking to you!”

He walks up to me, just a few inches away from my face, puffing his chest out like he’s some macho guy.

Pierce steps in between us, breaking the tension. “Whoa, hold on now. What’s going on?”

“What’s going on is whatever treatment you’re showing your swimmer here is unacceptable!” I step away, walking to the edge of the pool just as Harlow’s beautiful face pops out of the water.

I reach out and offer her my hand. To my surprise she grabs on with her good arm, and lets me gently lift her out of the water. I guide her towards my chest, shielding her from the two dicks behind me. “Are you okay?”

Searching her face, I hope for some sort of emotion. Anything to let me know she’s alright. Time stands still when she rests her forehead against my chest and quietly mumbles out, “No. He told me to swim butterfly and he knows I can’t. It’s way too soon.”

Heat rises to my face as I turn back around, facing her coach and the A.T. again, keeping her hidden behind my frame. “I don’t know what type of rehab plan this is, but I’ve been here every practice Harlow’s had, and for her to work this hard to recover and be treated this way…”

“You’re out of line,” Coach Bradford barks at me. “What’s your name, huh? I bet Tom would love to hear all about how one of his lifeguards is talking to a university coach. Don’t think your boss will be too happy about that.” He sticks his nose up after his remark, as if he thinks he has the upperhand.

Ha, if only he knew.

“Shep Fords,” I respond with pride. He wants to try and bring Tom into this, I’ll bring in someone even more important. “As in, Sheriff Ford’s son. So yeah, go ahead and let Tom know about this and maybe I’ll let my dad know about it too. I’d be happy to fill him in.”

As I finish my sentence, a whisper tickles my back and I hear Harlow breathlessly mutter, “Shep.”

The realization hits me, she still didn’t know my name. What a perfect time for introductions.

My attention draws back to Coach Bradford who is straightening up next to Pierce. “I see,” he grits out. “Well I can still have a chat with Tom. Let’s go, Harding.”

The athletic trainer shifts his weight back and forth on his feet before turning and standing next to me. “Actually, I think I need to stay and work with Harlow some more. She’s my priority and her recovery is my responsibility.”

Coach Bradford’s eyebrows raise almost to meet his hairline and he scoffs. “This has been a waste of my time. I told you she wasn’t ready, Harding.”

“And, I would just like to clarify once again, I never said she was ready to swim butterfly. I told you that I wanted to show you her progress, and, like Shep here has said, she’s doing really well.” Pierce finishes his sentence and Harlow moves out from behind the both of us to meet Coach Bradford’s glare.

“I’m sorry the season hasn’t started the way you thought it would. I know a lot of that’s on me.” Her voice waivers and it throws me off to see her usual sass nowhere to be found.

Coach Bradford shakes his head and walks past all three of us. Asshole.

“Harlow, I’m so sorry.” Pierce is the first to speak up. “I had no idea he was going to ask you to swim fly. Even I know how ridiculous of an ask that is. I think starting the season with two losses already is just messing with him.”

“I get it,” Harlow clips, already pulling her mask back on. “We just need to train harder. I’ll work on my stretches in the morning and night now, maybe double my swimming practices too.” She turns to grab her belongings from the bleachers and pool deck, leaving her athletic trainer alone with me.

“Look, man,” he starts.

“No, don’t ‘look man’ me. I know you’ve been working with her outside the rec, but I’ve also been working every shift she’s been here. What’s her coach’s deal? That was seriously fucked up.” My temper is starting to rise again.

“I hear you. That’s why I wanted to say, thank you.” He responds quickly before I can cut him off. “I don’t think Harlow has anyone in her corner through this besides me and maybe her sister. I don’t know, she mentioned her a few times when I asked about her support system during one of our sessions.” He stops and looks to make sure Harlow isn’t within earshot. “I don’t know if a lot of people have her back through this. I’m sure it’s her doing, I think we can both agree she’s got some serious walls up. Took me an entire week just to get her to tell me what her actual pain rating was.” He shakes his head.

“I don’t know her. At all, actually. But someone needed to be there for her just now.” I’m coming down from the adrenaline and realizing exactly what I’ve done.

“Either way, man, she needed that. I’m Pierce Harding by the way,” he offers his hand out to shake mine.

I grasp it and return the gesture, “Shep Fords, but you heard that.”

“Yeah, your dad’s a good man. I’ve met him a few times during board meetings. But look, you see Harlow pushing herself too hard, or something seems off? You let me know. I’m paired with her directly for her rehab and I’m on her side.”

I nod my head, actually believing what he’s saying. “Will do. Thanks.”

He pats the side of my arm before walking in Harlow’s direction while I’m left to think over the last ten minutes and how I just went out of my way for a girl I hardly know, in a way I never have before.

What’s going on with me? And why do I have no doubt I’d do it again?