Free Shine: The Knowing Ones by Amy Freeman

muscular back. With his thumb and forefinger at the bridge of his nose, he squeezed the excess water from his eyes.
    He headed toward the warm up pool, Sam’s eyes never wavering as he moved through the swimmers. He stopped to talk to the coach, one of his teammates giving him a congratulatory slap on the back. He smiled, teasing at her heart. He finished up with the coach and continued toward the warm up pool.
    When he reached the edge, he stopped and turned to Sam. Faint blue light ignited around his pupils, gleaming. The noise of the crowd faded then vanished and she heard Trin’s voice inside her head.
Meet me out front after the meet.
    Sam stared, confounded. His gaze remained.
Meet me out front after the meet.
He waited for a response. She nodded. The thunderous noise resumed, Trin smiled, pulling his cap and goggles back on. In the warm up pool, he began swimming steady laps. Events continued in the other pool, holding the attention of the Ute crowd. But Sam’s eyes remained locked on the other pool and the enigmatic swimmer in lane two.

CHAPTER TWELVE
    S am stood out in front of the Athletic Complex. The meet was over and she was doing as she had been mentally instructed by Superman in the natatorium. The past twenty-four hours had been nothing short of surreal. She allowed a mental picture of Trin when he had first noticed her in the stands. She lowered her head and smiled. There were no words.
    Just then, as if her thoughts had been an introduction, the door to the complex opened and out walked Trin with two of his teammates, all dressed in identical black team warm ups trimmed in Ute crimson red. She recognized his friends as the two he had been out with the night before, both emitting deep, testosterone-filled auras.
    Trin lifted a hand toward her. “Chris, Adam, this is Sam.”
    “Hey, Sam,” Chris said, taking his hand from his pocket.
    Adam jerked his chin up. “How’s it goin’, Sam?”
    Sam smiled. “It’s nice to meet you.”
    Chris turned to Trin, his smile broadening. “Later, man.” He clapped him on the shoulder.”
    Adam nodded at Sam. “Nice to meet you.”
    “You too,” she said. The two young men disappeared into the parking lot.
    Trin turned to Sam, eyes glinting. “This was a surprise.”
    “Well,” she said. “You’re Trin Kosolov. I had to take advantage of the opportunity to see you swim live.”
    “I see.”
    Sam laughed.
    His light eyes skimmed over her, sending a thrill to the pit of her stomach. “Well, this alters our plans a bit,” he said.
    “Okay. Why?”
    “Because I am completely starving,” he said. “So you’re going to have to go to lunch with me, too.” He lifted a hand toward the parking lot, ushering her to his truck.
    “Oh,” Sam hedged. “I’m really not very hungry.”
    He opened the passenger door. “Well, you’re gonna have to watch me eat then, unless you want me to pass out during your Calc lesson.”
    “No,” Sam replied climbing in. “I totally need you conscious.”
    He laughed. “I am more useful that way.” He closed the door behind her.

    They pulled into a little restaurant on University Boulevard. Trin parked in a spot close to the door and shut off the engine. Out of habit Sam reached for her door handle.
    “Sam.”
    She pulled her hand back, shrinking into the leather seat. Trin climbed out of the truck, walked around to her side, and opened her door.
    She climbed out, wincing up at him. “Sorry, habit.”
    “Break it.”
    “All right.”
    He smiled, moving aside so she could climb out. They entered the small, chic deli; one of the many little restaurants that lined the drive. A counter up front offered several decadent selections, with tables by the windows and booths in the back. Trin walked Sam up to the counter and began scanning his options on the board. The weight of gawking admirers and fans closed in on them. He was oblivious to all of it.
    He looked down at Sam. “You sure you don’t want