by Dawn Doyle
“Holly!” the girls shouted as they kneeled beside her.
“Get some towels and a bottle of water.” Alex said, and the girls got up as Em dropped to Holly’s side.
“Baby girl…It’s ok now. You’re out.”
It didn’t make much difference. She still held tight. Alex pulled back, and Holly’s arms loosened up. He put his hands either side of her face and moved the wet tendrils of hair out of the way. He kept his hands on her cheeks, and he bent to look into her eyes.
“Holly. Try to breathe for me, ok? Deep breaths. Everything’s going to be fine.” He whispered. “You’re safe. You’re not going to fall…I’ve got you.”
Holly’s breath evened out, but her legs were still wrapped around his waist. She could feel his voice soothing her. She, somehow, just knew she was safe with Alex. He wouldn’t let her fall. He’d saved her.
“Alex?” she barely whispered, coming out of her panic.
He just smiled at her and brushed across her cheeks with his thumbs. The look in his eyes…Holly blinked a couple of times and then she burst into tears. Alex pulled her into his chest and held her. His arms wrapped around her and he kissed the top of her head. The girls were by Holly’s side.
“How did you do that?” asked Em, narrowing her eyes in question.
“Do what?” Alex replied.
“Get her to calm down so quick. The last time this happened, it took ages to calm her down. She even passed out for an hour and paper bags hadn’t helped at all.”
Holly’s crying slowed to sharp breaths between sobs. She sat back, red eyed and slightly dizzy. She wrapped her arms around herself, but kept her legs either side of Alex. She wasn’t about to let go whilst her feet were still in the water.
Em saw Holly’s face as she looked up at her.
“That little shit!” Em shouted, getting up to attack Ryan again.
“Em, don’t…” Holly said, making Em stop suddenly. Surprised that Holly was calm enough to speak. Last time, she couldn’t say anything for crying and even after she’d passed out, she was too traumatised to speak for the next hour.
“He didn’t know. He wouldn’t have done it otherwise. He was just having a laugh.”
“Yeah…A laugh that could’ve killed ye!” Em spat.
“But it didn’t. Alex got me out. I’m Ok.” Holly looked over at Ryan. He had a red cheek, as though he’d been hit.
“Dev slapped him when Alex jumped in.” Said Kayla, explaining the mark.
“We’re so sorry Hol.”
“It’s ok” she replied.
“No it’s not…”
“Em…it’s fine!” Said Holly, still hiccupping. She turned to Alex…
“You knew”
“Yeah.” He said. “I heard the coaches talk about it because you were running track.”
Holly felt her heart swell. Alex knew, and he didn’t tell her secret.
“That’s why you agreed I should ref.” She stated. Alex nodded and took a step back.
“Um…” He said as he stepped closer to her again. “Don’t move” he looked to Dev. “Pass me a towel, please.”
Dev handed him a towel and he reached behind Holly to wrap it around her shoulders. He kept himself close to her. As he brought the towel around, he pulled the ends towards himself and then together when he quickly arched back.
“You have a white shirt…” He said. “…And it’s now see through.” He whispered.
Holly was too grateful to be shocked. Alex was keeping her modesty and without gawking at her.
Could he get any more perfect?
“Thank you.” She said quietly.
“Anytime.” He smiled. “Em, hold onto Holly and help her up.” He said.
Holly had to release the thigh grip she had on Alex, and she felt the loss immediately. Alex held her hips as Emily helped her up. His hands against her felt good. Really good.
Alex got out of the pool after her.
“Come on…” let’s get you changed. Said Em as she steered Holly to the changing room.
“I haven’t got another T-shirt.” Holly told Em. She wasn’t expecting to need one.
“You can use mine.” Alex said from behind her. “I have another in there.” He pointed to the changing room. “Have this one,” Alex picked up his T-shirt that he’d removed just before Ryan had thrown her in, and handed it to her.
“Thank, Alex.” She said. Holly could smell Alex on the T-shirt instantly, and she moaned internally.
Oh my goodness!
Just his smell set her lady parts alight.
As Holly and Em were in the changing room, Alex approached a very dejected Ryan.
“What the fuck were you thinking!” He spat.
“I’m so sorry Alex, I didn’t know… I didn’t mean to…” Ryan said apologetically.
“I know.” Alex glared at him, and he was physically restraining himself from tearing Ryan apart.
“The only reason I’m not killing you, right now, is because Holly seems to have forgiven you, and it may upset her further.”
“I deserve it.” Said Ryan as tears filled his eyes.
“Yeah. You do.” Said Alex though gritted teeth. “Why though? She screamed at you to put her down. Why didn’t you just fucking listen?”
“I thought she was just doing what girls usually do. I didn’t notice she was scared, I swear.”
Alex felt like he was ready to explode. He was finding it hard to control himself. He’d never had an issue with it, until he met Holly. Now, he had an overwhelming urge to protect her. So much so, that one of his closest friends had almost taken a beating.
Holly, followed by Em, came out of the changing room and Alex could see that she was still visibly shaken.
He saw how good his T-shirt looked on her. It swamped her body but that made it so much sexier. He, well his shirt, covered more of her.
“Holly, are you ok?” Dev asked gently as she walked over to her best friend.
“I’m sorry.” Riss said.
“I’m ok and Riss; it’s not your fault. Holly replied, and Alex saw her looking at him after he’d been glaring at Ryan.
“I think it’s best that we go now, Hol.” Em said as she held her arm around Holly’s shoulder.
“Thanks for helping, Alex.” Em said and then shot Ryan a nasty look.
“No problem.” He replied. It wasn’t. He knew he’d do anything for Holly.
“We should go too.” Said Dev.
“You don’t have to” Holly said to Dev. “You stay. I’ll text you later.”
Holly didn’t want her friend to miss out because she wanted to leave. Holly wasn’t just leaving because of what had happened. She wanted to leave because of her raging hormones since being pressed up against Alex. Holly needed to go to steady her nerves… If they knew just leaving the pool room would be enough to calm her from her panic attack, they may try to convince her to stay. Then, she’d be all hot and flustered in Alex’s presence.
She could still feel his hard chest against her. Her legs wrapped around his taught waist and solid abs. His thick, strong arms holding onto her… Holly’s knees were shaking and her lower area was heating up.
She needed to go…and soon.
Alex was watching Holly, and he didn’t want her to leave.
Maybe it’s a good thing that one of us is going.
His body’s reaction to Holly was magnified now that he’d felt her in his arms. He was using every ounce of his control to restrain himself from pulling her to him. That would’ve been the case if Emily weren't there. He knew she was safe with her sister.
He watched her eyes travel up and down his body.
Did she just check me out?
His inside were boiling at the thought. He’d seen her looking at him when he’d taken his shirt off, earlier, and she’d blushed. He tried to hold back a smile, but he’d been caught looking at her too.
Holly quickly looked away, and her cheeks flushed. Seeming to realise what she’d been doi
ng. Alex had liked her eyes on him.
A lot.
He would have to sit down soon or take a cold shower, before it became very evident how he felt.
Riss showed Holly and Em to the door and they stepped outside. When they got out of the house, there was a guy sitting on a motorcycle next to Holly’s car.
He looked to be in his twenties with mousey, longish hair, but not enough to tie back, lightened in parts by the sun.
His grey eyes trained on them as they walked down the path.
”Hello ladies.” He said slowly to them, but looked at Emily.
“Hey Nick.” Said Riss, from the door.
“Hey Riss.” He replied with a wave.
Em just stared at him and then looked to Riss as he answered a text message.
“I’ll get Ryan for you.”
“He’s on his way out” Nick said as he held his phone up to indicate Ryan had texted him.
“You’re here for that little fuck-wit?” Spat Emily.
“Careful Missy” Nick said as his eyes looked her up and down. “He’s my baby brother.”
“Well, your baby brother just nearly drowned my baby sister.”
“Oh my God, Em stop!” Holly whisper shouted, embarrassed that Em was causing a scene in the street.
“What?!” Said Nick with a snort. “I highly doubt that.”
“Why don’t you ask him that then ay?”
“I like your accent. Where are you from?” He asked, cocking his head to the side and narrowing his eyes. Em’s eyes, however, widened in surprise.
”Oomph” she frowned, rolling her eyes.
Ryan stepped out of the door, and he saw the drama happening outside. Holly wanted to just go so Em wouldn’t start on him again.
“Hey Bro,” Nick said. “Is it true you nearly drowned this pretty little girl?”
“Don’t say that about my sister!” Em said angrily.
“That’s nothing to what I was going to say about you.” He smiled cockily. “I was going to say…’this sexy woman told me…’”
“You did not just say that!” she snapped, fists balling up.
“Em, let’s go” Holly tried tugging on her arm but she didn’t budge.
Nick laughed.
“Um…I…think…I…did…“ He said tapping in his chin and looking up as in thought. “Yep. I definitely did.” He smirked.
Em opened her mouth to say something when Ryan spoke up.
“Nick, don’t. It was an accident. I didn’t mean to…”
“Oh save it.” Em snapped at him.
“I said careful little Miss.” Nick said with a warning tone.
“Or what?” Em glared.
Nick rested his arm on his knee. His foot was on the footrest, so his knee was higher up. He leaned slights towards Em.
“…Or I’ll have to take you over my knee.” He said in a low voice and a cocky grin, eyes glinting with mischief.
Em gasped with both surprise and disgust.
“What the…?” Holly grabbed Em sideways around the waist and managed to pull her to the car.
“Em just get in and let’s go.” Said Holly. Eager to diffuse the drama between hers and Ryan’s older sibling.
“I can’t let him get away with that, Hol. Did you ‘ear what he said? Cheeky get.” Em was clearly annoyed with Nick.
“I did but I think we’ve had enough for one day Em. Take me home…now.” Holly was getting angry.
As Em pulled away, she looked at Nick who blew her a kiss and winked. He laughed when she returned the gesture with her middle finger.
“What’s up?” Em asked when Holly just glared at her. “What?” she asked again.
“I don’t believe you!” Holly said as she rolled her eyes and shook her head.
“What have I done?” Em asked.
“You made a show of me! You carried on attacking Ryan, when I asked you not to and then, you argue with his brother…in the street!” Holly scrubbed her face with her hand. She was so pissed off with her sister; she could punch something.
“I was sticking up for you!” replied Em.
“I know that.” Said Holly. “But you went a bit too far, Em. Going off on Ryan, I see your point, but Nick too? He only came to pick him up, and you practically jumped down his throat!”
“He started it.” Em sulked.
“Oh my God, you’re such a child.” Said Holly.
“He called you a ‘pretty little girl’, what was I supposed to do?” Em exclaimed.
“I’m seventeen so, compared to him, I am a little girl. Also, what does it matter if he called me pretty? Would you rather he called me an ugly bint?”
“Well, no, but what he said to me after that…”
“Was what made things better for him.” Explained Holly. “He saw how you reacted, at first, and then pushed further. Who do you think Ryan learned his tricks from?”
Em let out a long breath.
“Ok, so I might have overreacted…a little.”
“A little?” Holly raised an eyebrow.
“Ok…a lot. But it was for you.”
“I know and I appreciate it but just…dial it down Em. I’m a big girl now.” Holly said, gently.
“I know you are, babe. I don’t have to like it though.”
They both looked at each other and started laughing.
“Nick’s face was a picture though.” Said Holly.
“Yeah it was.” Laughed Em.
H: Hi Dev. Just got home.
Holly sent to Dev. They’d gotten through the front door and waked into the kitchen.
D: RUOK? We were so worried.
H: I’m fine. Just needed to go.
D: Riss said there was drama with Nick?
H: You could say that. I’ll call you later and tell you. X
D: ok. X
Kim was at home and Em had wanted to tell her what had happened.
“Don’t you dare!” seethed Holly. “She’ll hunt him down. Just leave it now, Em. He didn’t know, and I should’ve said something or just not gone at all. He was messing around.”
“He should’ve still stopped when you told him.” Said Em.
“If I wasn’t phobic, it would’ve been funny…” Holly said “…and he was sorry. Did you see his face? Ryan wouldn’t have hurt me. He may be an arse sometimes, but he wouldn’t have done it intentionally.”
Em blew out a breath of resignation.
“Ok fine. I won’t tell.”
“Be nice to Ryan, Em.” Em raised her eyebrows. “I mean it.” Holly warned.
“Fine!” Said Em, rolling her eyes.
“Wow, sometimes I wonder who’s this bigger sister.” Said Holly.
Em just stuck out her tongue.
“I’m going into the garden.” Holly said as she looked out of the window.
“I miss him too.” Em said as she placed her hand on Holly’s cheek.
“I know. I’m going to change first.” She didn’t want to get any pollen or soil stains on Alex’s T-shirt.
She could still smell him on it. His scent hitting her nostrils every time she moved. She went up to her room, put her wet clothes into her hamper and took off his shirt. She held it to her face and took a deep breath.
“Aww, how sweet.” Said a voice from behind her.
Holly spun around.
“Em! What the hell?!”
“I just came to ask if you wanted a brew, and your door was open.” Em was grinning.
“Why not just shout, like you normally do?”
“Because, normally your door is closed and you don’t hear me.” Em said, her grin somehow getting wider.
Holly knew Em was smiling over catching Holly inhaling Alex’s shirt. She wasn’t looking forward to the ribbing and questions that were sure to follow.
“Wanna talk about it?” Em said, nodding towards the shirt Holly was still clutching.
“Not right now.” Holly said as she threw his shirt on her bed. “I’d love a coffee, please.” She said, hoping Em
would leave her room.
“Coming up” Em winked before turning and going down to the kitchen.
Holly blew out a breath in relief and shut her door. She picked up Alex’s shirt again…and breathed him in.
When the coffee was made, Holly took hers out into the garden.
“Hi Daddy.” She said as she sat in the seat next to the rockery she had made for her Dad, James.
His ashes were in an urn, locked in a weatherproof container, underneath the largest rock. He loved being outdoors, and Holly didn’t want to keep his urn tucked away indoors. This way, she could keep her Dad close, and outdoors, surrounded by the things they loved.
Holly always went out to see him when things were getting difficult, and she knew her Dad was watching over her. She could tell him everything.
“I’ve had a bit of a bad day today…” she began. “…But then it got better.” She smiled.
Holly laughed and cried as she told her Dad about what had happened at Riss’s pool. Even going so far as being embarrassed and holding her hands to her hot face. When she’d finished, she kissed her fingertips and place them on the name plate, before going back inside.
That night, Holly had called Dev and told her all about the ‘spat’ between Em and Nick. Dev had told her that Alex had been quiet after she’d left. The whole hangout had lost its appeal and about an hour later, everybody went home.
“Yeah, it kinda dwindled” Dev said. “Riss felt bad, Alex was pissed and we were all so worried about you. I guess that’s really why you do track at school, huh?”
“Yes. Don’t tell anybody though. Can you ask the others to keep it to themselves too?” Holly was scared that the other students would find out, especially Stacey and that they would make fun of her, or worse, try to throw her into the school pool. It was bigger than Riss’ and deeper too.