Free Jealousy by Jessica Burkhart

relationship.
    â€œThat’s Lacey’s personality,” I said. “I’m glad she kept you company last night. She didn’t drive you crazy, did she?”
    â€œNo way,” Taylor said. “She’s a cool girl, and I like getting to know your friends.”
    I opened my mouth to tell him that Lacey and I weren’t friend-friends like Khloe, Lexa, Clare, Jill, and I were, butI stopped myself. Taylor had to get to know people on campus.
    As if we’d timed our walk perfectly, the gym was just ahead.
    â€œThose tennis courts close in a couple of weeks,” I said, pointing to the empty courts. “And the outdoor pool’s already closed.”
    We passed by the Olympic-size pool, which had been drained and covered until next year. Taylor craned his neck to inspect every inch of it, and the giant smile on his face reinforced my guess that he was impressed.
    I took Taylor to the side of the gym that housed the indoor pool. I pulled open the frosted glass door, and he followed me inside. No one was in the pool or the stands, so it was just Taylor and me.
    His green eyes widened as he took in the pool. Canterwood’s pool was bigger than Yates’s, and it had more rows of bleachers for people to watch from. There was even a diving board at the pool’s deep end.
    â€œWhat do you think?” I asked. “Is it up to Taylor Frost’s swimming standards?”
    â€œUm, yeah !” Taylor walked over to the pool, crouched down, and touched the water with his left fingers. “I saw the pictures online, but man, they need a new photographer.This pool is killer. I can’t wait to start practicing and get on the team.”
    â€œI know you’ll make the team.” I paused. “Drew’s on it.”
    Taylor stood, keeping his eyes on the pool. “Oh. Cool. Then I’ll know someone if I make it.”
    â€œWant to sit in here since it’s empty and talk for a few?” I asked.
    Taylor nodded, and we climbed onto the highest row of bleachers and rested our backs against the wall.
    I shifted on the bench. I had questions, but I didn’t know if I was ready to hear the answers to some of them.
    â€œIt was hard for me starting at Canterwood at the beginning of the school year,” I said. “I can’t imagine how much pressure you feel about starting mid-semester.” I took a breath. “Taylor, I know everything about your dad and why you wanted to transfer. But were you really that afraid of being taken off the swim team that you decided to change schools now?”
    Taylor took several seconds before looking at me. “Yes, I was. But I’m not going to lie. Like I told you last night, there were other factors. Like my dad’s nonstop business talk. And . . . you.”
    â€œYou didn’t come here just for me, though, right?”
    â€œNo. I knew there was a chance you had already metsomebody, but I had to try. You attending the school that just happened to be perfect for me was a bonus. A big one.”
    I smiled. “Thanks.”
    â€œI wanted—and still want—us to be together. But for now I’m going to have to be okay at just being friends. I don’t really know how to be okay with that, but I’ll figure it out.” He stopped, a faraway look in his eyes before they focused again. “You and I hung out all summer and were cool with each other. I missed that. There’s been a huge hole in my life since you’ve been gone. I really missed your friendship—not just having you as my girlfriend.”
    â€œI missed you, too. I may have met some wonderful and amazing friends, but I have moments every day when I want to see Bri or Ana or you and tell you something exciting or vent about something that’s bugging me.”
    Taylor nodded. We stayed in the gym, talking about what we’d missed in each other’s lives since I’d gone to Canterwood. I shared my