Chapter 20
Only Chase doesn’t turn around, doesn’t see him, doesn’t acknowledge his presence in any way, and eventually Rory takes a few steps into the steamy shower. It feels like a sauna, and sweat instantly breaks out on the back of his neck. His water shoes make no sound over the damp tiles. Chase keeps his head down, shoulders hunched, as the water strikes his head and back. Steam roils between them, ghostlike, adding an eeriness to the moment Rory could do without.
Just outside Chase’s stall, Rory stops. Waits.
Nothing.
Finally, he ventures, “Hey.”
If Chase is surprised by Rory’s presence, he doesn’t show it. All he does is sniffle and mutter, “What the hell do you want?”
Rory shrugs, but Chase doesn’t turn around to see the motion. “Just to…I don’t know. See if you’re okay.”
Chase lets out a choked laugh. “I managed not to place in the first race of my first competition on the team. Do you thinkI’m okay?”
Another shrug, which also goes unnoticed. Rory doesn’t know what to say.