Free What Lies Inside (A Blood Bound Novel, Book 1) by J.L. Myers Page B

brighter, reflecting a pale shadow of my face. “For saving your life.”
    “Oh,” I said, trying to ignore the still lingering cloud of his scent. “Thanks.” I looked up as Ty brushed the tousled hair from his eyes. “I guess I owe you my life.”
    Ty smiled but shook his head. “No. Just a date…”

CHAPTER SIX
    Late on Friday afternoon, I stood outside the double doors to the indoor pool. My forehead pressed against the small, square window. Time between the excursion yesterday and this very moment had flown by in the blink of an eye. My paranoia over Troy’s words, “You’re a freak of nature,” and something about Ty dealing with me, pressed on my mind. Everything he said was cryptic. But could he really know our terrible secret?
    Overshadowing that mind mess was that fact that I had, with much reluctance, agreed to Ty’s date, as long as my mom agreed. And surprise, surprise, she had, stating that at sixteen most girls had already been on their first dates. Thanks to that, I hadn’t been able to sleep last night. Now I was stuck with a problem, and it was all catching up with me. Ty and Dorian were about to race. Then straight after, I’d be expected to go on a date with Ty.
    With a deep, preparatory breath, I pushed through the double doors and instantly almost fell back against them. The thick, chlorine-soaked air hit me like a face full of boiling water. It was so lung-burningly pungent, that it almost drowned out the scent of human blood. Almost. Worried my weird behavior was drawing attention, my eyes darted around the room. The swim team with their matching speedos took up the three bottom right rows of bleachers. A few held black and gold banners. They matched the ones strung around the metal-clad walls, with ‘Go Sharks’ and ‘Ty is Number One!’ printed across them. Vanessa sat on the other side of the bleachers with Troy, holding a fashion magazine and whispering. Ty, thank God, was nowhere in sight.
    I rushed up to Dorian who was at the starting blocks and revving himself up for the race. A fresh wave of trepidation flooded my chest. It was a long shot, but I had to try one last time to get him to reconsider. “Dorian,” I whispered, confident the swim team’s chatter would keep my words from being overheard.
    “Wow,” he said, looking a little surprised. “I thought you were just tired this morning. Now it’s the end of the day and you still look like shit.”
    I frowned at the insult, but I knew his words held truth. I couldn’t stop worrying about my date with Ty. I’d barley slept at all last night. And with the swim-off fast approaching, even when awake my mind had been racing. “Thanks, just what I needed to hear.” The weight of Troy’s sneering eyes tunneled into me, and I turned away. “Dorian, please,” I whispered, eyes pleading. “Pull out of the race. I have a terrible feeling.”
    Dorian stretched out his swim cap, and molded it over his head. “Step out of the spotlight?” he asked, tucking in a few escaping locks of chocolate-brown hair. “Never. But I will do you one thing.”
    I planted my hands on my hips, skeptical. “And what’s that?”
    Dorian’s lips curved up at the sides into a cheeky smile. “I promise to win by only a hand’s length.” His eyes softened as he ran his hand up and down my arm. “Have some faith. I can do this. You know I would never expose us.”
    “Come to wish your brother luck?” Ty’s distinct voice startled me, echoing from behind. “Coz he’ll need it.”
    Ty’s scent bloomed, poisoning the air. It almost brought me to my knees. Then he was standing right beside me, scarcely dressed in his black speedo and smiling. At the sheer sight of him, my breath caught in the back of my throat. I swallowed hard, trying to force the sensation back down while spear-winged butterflies flooded my stomach. His sculpted chest, like his arms, were also marked by small irregular scars. I frowned, eyes traveling down to his abs