Free Something Like Rain (Something Like... Book 8) by Jay Bell Page B

churning through the water to save those victims, a victorious grin plastered on his face. He could do this! Except one of the heads bobbing in the water sure looked familiar, as did the self-assured smirk.
    Kelly.
    William jerked away, Lily’s hand sliding off his bulge. “I don’t want to rush things,” he stammered. “I really should get going.”
    Lily appeared confused. Then she looked at the clock. William did the same. Time had flown by because it was nearly three.
    “You can’t cancel your plans?” she asked.
    “They’re important. Sorry.”
    Lily nibbled her lip. “Can we meet afterwards?”
    “I’m not sure how late I’ll be.”
    “Tomorrow?”
    “Uhhh.”
    Lily stared at him. Then she gave a barely perceptible shake of the head, which continued as she grabbed her shirt to put it on.
    “Sorry!” he said. “It’s just…” He faltered, unable to find a good excuse.
    “It’s fine,” she said tersely. “Give me a call if you ever have time for me. Or don’t. Whatever.”
    “Lily!” he said, standing to follow her out of the room. He ended up chasing her all the way to the driveway. “I’m sorry! I’m going through some weird stuff right now and it’s not you. I know how that sounds, but it’s true.”
    Lily spun around, car keys in hand. “Then tell me what’s going on! Explain it to me!”
    “I…” William choked. “I will. Just not right now.”
    She exhaled. “Fine. You know where to find me.”
    William watched her get in her car, pull out, and drive away. Then he sighed and trudged back inside. His father was in the entryway, wearing a knowing expression. He clapped William on the shoulder and chuckled, like his son had finally grown up and become a man, when in truth, he felt more like a lost little boy than ever.

 
     
    Chapter Four
     
    William was freaking out. After Lily had left, he returned upstairs and washed his face, just in case there was lipstick on it, which made him feel silly when he remembered Lily didn’t wear any. He also washed off his cologne because romance was now the furthest thing from his mind. Then he noticed the time and rushed over to Kelly’s house, getting lost repeatedly in his addled state. He was nearly an hour late when he finally arrived. Kelly’s jaw was clenching when he opened the door, but he had gotten over it by the time they arrived at the YMCA.
    Exercise was usually just what the doctor ordered, but the Y was a different place in the afternoon, especially on a Saturday. Families filled the main pool, splashing around and having a good time. That was fine. The problem was how many of them kept spilling over into the swimming lanes, especially when those lanes were already occupied by other swimmers. He and Kelly were forced to wait their turn, and even then William felt pressured not to remain in the water too long. Soon he gave up entirely, leading the way back to the locker room and getting dressed.
    “Isn’t there a hot tub?” Kelly asked. “We could try swimming in circles.”
    “They would have to be tight,” William said. “Besides, the hot tub is probably stuffed too.”
    “A sauna?”
    “I’ve never understood the appeal of sitting in a hot room and getting sweaty.”
    “We could hit the track.”
    William grimaced. “My feet are still sore. I think I’d rather go home and forget this day ever happened.”
    “Something wrong? Besides me making you miss out on your early morning routine. If I had known it would ruin your day…”
    “It’s not you,” William said with a sigh. A couple of guys entered the locker room, making him yearn for privacy. He grabbed his duffel bag. “Let’s go.”
    “Okay. You’re the boss.”
    He couldn’t shake the bad mood, maybe because he wasn’t sure why exactly he was upset. Yesterday had felt so good—finally coming to terms with himself and having a nice evening with his brother. So he had thought. Now everything had returned to being complicated.
    When they reached