Un•A•Were

9| Perfect

Bryan's POV:

When I pulled up to the pack house, I was on cloud nine. I finally asked her out and she said yes and it went so great. There was only one thing nagging me. I wish I could tell her the truth. I hate the secrets and cover-ups. She's so fun to be around and she's so natural. No makeup, no fancy clothes, just simple and beautiful. And so f*****g funny. I didn't think I would ever get my cheeks to stop hurting. I haven't laughed like that in a long time.

I walk through the front door and I'm immediately ambushed by James and Nick.

"Soooooo, how'd it go?" Nick asks.

"Yes, we've been waiting here for hours like giddy school girls! So, spill it!" James adds.

"Wow! And this is what I have as my two best friends." I joke. I laugh when I see their shocked faces. They pretend to console one another from the hurt I've caused them. "It was perfect," I finally reveal.

"That's awesome bro! Congrats! It's good to see you smiling." James says as he wraps his arm around my shoulder. It is just a long enough distraction before he grips my neck and rubs his knuckle into my scalp. "About time you stopped being a p***y and asked her out! I told you she liked you! Your Alpha is always right." I hear him say as I struggle out of his grasp. I hear Nick's laughter fill the front hall.

"Okay okay! Mercy! Uncle! Alpha! Whatever! Get off me bro!" I scream. As the next Beta, I'm strong, but that doesn't compare to the strength of a future Alpha. Luckily, we're on the same side.

After a few more minutes of s**t talking, I head up to my room. I hear a ding come through on my phone. I look down and see it's from Amanda.

I had a really great time tonight. Thank you for dinner. -A

I had a great time, too. Thanks for the wonderful company. -B

You're welcome. And remember you are in no way, shape or form obligated to come on Saturday. I'm sure you have plenty of better things to do. -A

I wouldn't miss it for the world. -B

When she doesn't respond, I assume I've made her blush. I love that I'm the one who can make her blush.

It's a good thing the water hides it when you blush. I wouldn't want anyone to know I have that effect on you. ? -B

Lol, you sure are good at giving yourself a lot of credit! Thank you for tonight. Good night Bryan. -A

Good night and sweet dreams, beautiful. -B

Saturday finally arrives and I wake up early to shower and get to the aqua center by 9 am. I want to make sure Amanda sees me before the start of the meet. Nick, James, and Whitney decide to join me for moral support. Not that I need it. Okay, maybe just a little.

We arrive at 8:45 even though I had to rush James out the front door.

"Ugh! It's too early on a Saturday to be awake, much less exercising!" James complains.

"This coming from the guy who likes to torture his pack with 6 am workouts? You didn't have to come!" I clapback.

"Will you boys please cut it out! We are all here to support Amanda and Bryan's attempts to woo her. Now, shut it!" Whitney demands as she walks ahead to the stairs leading to the observation deck. Nick and James follow her lead as I look for the doors leading to the pool deck. I am able to sneak passed the door guard once a parent began asking him a bunch of questions. I scan the pool deck until I find the girl I'm looking for. She's in the corner stretching and loosening her muscles. I decide to surprise her by placing both hands on her shoulders and giving her a quick squeeze. She nearly jumps out of her skin when I realize she had ear buds in and didn't hear me approach.

"Jesus!" As she spins around.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Holding my hands up in apology as well as maybe defense. She sighs as she tries to catch her breath, her hand over her heaving chest. She looks around trying to figure out how I got out on deck unnoticed.

"What are you doing down here? Spectators are supposed to go upstairs!" She pretends to be mad, but the smirk on her face gives her away.

"I just want to wish you good luck and tell you to swim your ass off!" I say, looking toward her butt, which looks great in the swim suit, by the way.

"What are you looking at?" She asks as she crosses her arms and gives me a stern stare, letting me know I've been caught.

"On second thought....don't swim your ass off. It looks perfect the way it is." I begin to chuckle when a slap on the arm has me recoiling back.

"Go away so I can get ready!" Amanda just shakes her head at my antics. I give her a quick wink and I make my way off the pool deck and upstairs to join my friends. I notice we have two additions when I arrive. Sam and Luke. Amanda's best friends.

When the meet begins, I am engrossed in the organized chaos. How do they know where to go and when? This is more complicated than learning football plays. There's light conversation throughout the meet, but every time Amanda takes the platform, I'm mesmerized by her form and skill. She has no idea who she is racing against, which makes the fact that she's able to compete and win even more astonishing. She melds with the water like she's in her true element. It's fascinating. Even James and Nick were getting more and more into the races. Needless to say, there were a lot of "hell yeahs" and high fives each time she was able to beat out her competition. Max swelled with pride and purred inside my head.

After the last heat, we all wait for the crowd to descend the stairs so we can congratulate our swim team on their overall win. But, we were especially excited to congratulate Amanda. She was truly incredible and she has no idea why, especially considering she was still in the dark about our town and her teammates.

The group of us are chatting as I scan the pool deck area from the observation deck where we had been sitting. I see her back in her corner, but as she's gathering her stuff, she seems sad. I suddenly feel a pang of loneliness around her as the rest of the team simply walks off without so much of a glance, congratulations, high five, nothing. I know why we have done this to her, but it doesn't make it suck any less. Max whimpers and wants to console her. I do, too. Not yet. We must be patient. We've been silently protecting her since she arrived, but she has no clue. As if sensing my concern, Luke quietly stands beside me.

"She will understand once she knows the truth. But, it will take time and A LOT of patience as she processes through it." Luke says stoically.

I nod in agreement. "I just hope she can forgive me and give me a chance to show her how life could be." I say almost to myself.

Luke pats me on the back. "We support you. You're good for her, but just know, Sam will cut off your balls if you hurt her!" He chuckles as the shocked look spreads across my face. I look back at Samantha, who's giving us both a weird look. She rolls her eyes and goes back to the conversation. We finally decide to head downstairs. Luke and Sam find Amanda just as she's entering the lobby.

"Girl! That was amazing! Your butterfly has gotten so fast! You make it look effortless!" Sam praises. Amanda just blushes. She looks so cute when her face turns pink. I stand back just observing her with her two best friends. I feel James set up beside me.

"We're gonna head out, but why don't you invite her to the bonfire," James suggests.

"Yeah, I just might do that." I state as Amanda catches my stare. Luke and Sam walk away from her and head towards the door, following James and Whitney. I approach her and smile.

"You did amazing! Truly, I've never seen anything like it. It's like you were made for the water." I celebrate.

She laughs at my enthusiasm. "Thanks so much! I'm sorry if you got bored. Some meets can really drag on. I didn't expect you to bring a crowd?" She says, watching my friends exit the building.

"Moral support." I state simply.

"For what?" She giggles, obviously confused at my statement.

"This." I whisper as I cupped my hands on her face and lean into a simple, but sweet kiss. I could feel her tense up at first due to the shock, but then, she relaxes as I slowly break away from her. She slowly opens her eyes and I immediately get mesmerized by her hazel eyes. If only she knew how much control she has over me.

"What was that for?" dazed and still confused. I smile at her expression.

"Let's call it your award for a great race. And also, I've wanted to do that since the last time I was able to sneak a kiss from you." I say shyly. She just smiles and shakes her head at my antics and starts walking toward the door. I quickly catch up to her and held the door open for her.

"So, James is throwing a bonfire at his parents' lake house this weekend. I wanted to see if you wanted to go?" I asked.

"With you?" She questions.

"Yes, with me." I respond, trying to read her expression. She looks like she's pondering whether or not it's a good idea. Technically, we are just friends, but I'm sure by now she realizes I want more. I just pray she says yes. Finally, she responds.

"Okay. Do you want me to meet you there or..." she begins.

"I'll pick you up." I cut her off. "I'll be at your house by 5 pm on Friday, if that's alright with you?" I wait for her response as we reach our vehicles.

"Sure, okay." She pulls a hesitant smile on her face like she's still confused, but the blush on her cheeks gives away her true emotions. She starts to climb into her Jeep when the urge to call out to her strikes me.

"Hey Amanda?"

"Yeah?"

"You were truly amazing out there. It was magical!" I chuckle not being able to stop my laughter. She lets out the cutest laugh, obviously picking up on our inside joke from the diner.

We say goodbye and I let her drive off before starting my car. I let out a nervous breath. "Baby steps, Bryan, baby steps."