He runs his thumbs over my reddening cheeks. “Hey, I love them, and I love when you blush.” He leans down and kisses me with his incredibly soft lips. Then his fingers intertwine with mine as we stealthily run to his car.

I don’t know why I keep looking from side to side as if my parents have been waiting for me outside, but somehow, it makes me feel better. Luckily, we make it to Todd’s car unnoticed.

“Tonight, we are celebrating,” He says with the brightest smile I’ve seen in a long time as we pull into the town pool parking lot.

“Oh, yeah?” I question as I bite my bottom lip. I’m not sure what we are doing here in the middle of the night.

He gives me his crooked smile as he opens his car door. “Yup. Come on.”

I return his smile as he opens the door for me. “Um … I’m pretty sure the pool is closed.”

“Precisely.” He intertwines his fingers with mine, and for the first time, I notice he’s carrying a big duffle bag.

“What’s in the bag?” I try to peek in, but his reflexes are faster than mine. He pulls it away before I even get a glimpse.

The next thing I know, we are standing at the emergency-exit gate, and Todd is punching in a code. Within seconds, he has it open.

“We’re in.” He gives me a sly smile with a quick kiss. There is no hesitation on his part, not for second.

“Does George know we’re here?”

“No, Ash. That’s the point.”

“Are you feeling okay? I’m not sure I’m clear on what the point is we’re trying to make. Is it getting arrested? Is that the point? Because I’m pretty sure there are cameras in there.”

“Well, it wouldn’t be nearly as much fun if we asked for permission. And there are no cameras where we’re going; I checked.” He glances over and catches the nerves I’m wearing all over my face. “Hey, don’t worry. We’re good.” He steps in close to me and cradles my face with one hand as his other holds the gate open. His face is inches from mine, and then he kisses me deeply. “Now, come on.”

Before I know it, Todd pulls out our blanket from the field and two towels. Then he gently lays the blanket out on the side of the pool.

The sky is filled with bright, sparkling stars, and the pool is illuminated by the underwater lights. It’s as if it’s glowing, surrounded by the darkness of the night. The warm air kisses the night’s sky. It’s the kind of warm that feels like summer is never going to end, even though it’s early October.

The pathway is lit by what looks like old-fashioned gas lanterns, but they are filled with glowing light bulbs instead of fire. The grounds are beautiful at night. Still. Silent. It’s just us. We are truly alone. It takes on a different meaning being here at night, having the entire place to ourselves, with only the stars and pool lights giving us light.

“Too bad I don’t have a bathing suit,” I say matter-of-factly.

“Who needs a bathing suit?” Todd flashes me a mischievous grin as he takes off his jersey then starts to unbutton his shorts, his eyes never leaving mine. He’s standing there in just boxers, and I can’t get enough of each contour of his perfectly defined body.

He steps closer to me. “Need help?” he asks, his look so intent, so focused as he pulls my thin, cotton shirt over my head. I’m suddenly grateful I only changed into my PJ bottoms since I’m still wearing my bra. “Let’s keep going.” He effortless unsnaps my bra.

Oh, well, so much for still having my bra.

With each move, he is gentle, and within the blink of an eye, the only thing covering both of us is the cool water from the pool. I have always loved the water, but this brings my appreciation for feeling it envelope my body to an entirely new level.

I feel his warm chest against mine as the cool water tickles my skin. His kisses are deep and full of intensity. I can’t help kissing him back just as deeply. There is electricity between us. I want him, all of him. I don’t care that we could get caught or that I snuck out of my room. I don’t care about anything, only him.

I twirl my tongue around his, pressing my body farther into his as he runs his hands over my soaked hair, the heat of our bodies enveloped by the cool water. I adore the feeling of strength that surrounds me as his arms wrap around my waist. Then he runs his hands over my arms, noticing my goose bumps.

“Are you cold?” he whispers.

Smiling at him as our gazes connect, my heart stops at the beauty of his eyes reflecting off the color of the water. His long, black eyelashes are even more defined, and his brown hair is almost black because it’s drenched as it hangs in his eyes. I push his hair back so there are no obstacles to keep me from enjoying the view.

“I’m good,” I say as I wrap my legs around him.

Feeling him hold me up in the water makes me want him even more, and I know he feels the same way as he presses into me.

It’s exhilarating to be here with him, but it’s also crazy. This is where we worked, where I swim every afternoon, where we couldn’t even hold hands when we walked through the gates over the summer. Now we are here in this same pool—our pool—and I can’t help all of these thoughts running through my head.

“Hey.” I hear his voice and look up to see the smile in his eyes. “What are you thinking about?”

My lips turn up in a smile. “You and how incredible this is. Thank you for rescuing me. When I saw you outside my window, I never thought this was where we were going. What are we celebrating, anyway?”

His smile deepens; but I feel him ever so slightly pull away. “Penn State called my parents; they want me to kick for them. The scout is coming to the homecoming game.” His eyes shift away. “It’s not definite until you get an official offer, but it looks really good.”

I don’t break my smile, but inside I am breaking. I knew this was coming, but now that it’s here and almost a reality, I hate it.

“That’s so great,” I choke out, knowing he can see through me.

“You’re not excited,” he says as his long fingers run over my hair.

“Well, this means you’re definitely going away.” I look up at him, trying to hide my disappointment behind my smile.

“Come on, Ash. We knew that. I mean, it’s not like there is a local school down the street with a football team, ready to hand out scholarships.”

I look down at the glowing, rippling water, grateful to have something else to focus on. I wish I could remove myself from this conversation, from this reality, from these feelings. With my throat getting tight, I squeeze my eyes shut to try to hold back the tears that are welling up.

The water is so peaceful, so calming, so beautiful. Focus on the water, only the water. But I can’t.

I finally find the strength to meet his eyes again. The expression all over his face tells me he knows exactly how I feel. He can read me perfectly.

“I’m sorry, Ash,” he whispers as his thumbs glide over my cheekbones.

“I know,” I whisper back as a tear falls down my cheek. I hate that tear. I hate that I can’t just be happy for him.

“Hey.” He gently pulls my face closer to his. “Stop it. We have a whole year, and Penn State isn’t that far. Plus, we have Skype and lots of phone sex to look forward to.” He smiles, letting me know he’s joking.

I can’t help laughing. He can always make me feel better, and that makes me miss him more already.

“Know what I haven’t done in a long time?”

“What?” I give him a sideways glance, almost afraid of what he’s going to say.

“A handstand.” With that, he dives through the water.

I see his legs and feet sticking up in sort of a straight line, and I burst out laughing at how ridiculous he looks. As he pops back out of the water, his kid-like grin makes me want to jump in his arms again.

“Come on. Let’s see what you’ve got, Miss Professional Swim Team Swimmer.”

“Oh, yeah? You want to go there? I don’t think you want to go there,” I tell him, trying desperately to keep a serious face, before I cut through the water.