And like the crack of dawn, that road towards convincing Asa they were worth a second chance became clearer.
Carmen may have walked in here with no plan whatsoever, without the faintest clue about how she was going to approach Asa or how she was going to prove to him that she wanted to make things work between them, but the conversation with Marlene right then had just enlightened Carmen, and she knew what she had to do.
It was a small step, a baby step, but it was a step forward nonetheless and that was what mattered. And now that Carmen knew where to start, she was going to see it through ’till the end.
60.
A Piece of Me
By the time Asa walked out of the changing rooms with Wyatt in tow, Marlene had left the bleachers and hit the pool. Carmen could see her lithe body moving through the water with enviable grace.
While Wyatt was in his swimming trunks, Carmen noticed that Asa wasn’t, and then she remembered that he probably didn’t need these extra practises because he was no longer taking part in the interstate competitions.
Maybe Asa was just here for his friend, as a gesture of support. It seemed like the sort of thing Asa would do.
Carmen saw him laugh as he spoke to Wyatt, watched Asa’s cheekbones rise as the corners of his lips stretched into a wide grin, and noticed his eyes literally glow with mirth.
There was that tugging sensation in her chest again. As if Carmen was being thrown off a cliff and being yanked back up with a rope before she could hit the ground.
Familiar coffee eyes met hers, and time seemed to just…stop for the two of them right then.
Nothing mattered. Nothing mattered but that Asa was there—right there—standing a few feet away from her, and that his eyes were burning into hers with the kind of intensity poets bled on paper to describe.
And then the moment was gone, the warmth draining out of his eyes, replaced with nonchalance instead.
It was such a tiny gesture, but quite a significant one, and even though it hurt Carmen to have him mask his emotions in front of her, she couldn’t help but wonder if that was what she’d put him through each time she pushed him away and shut him out.
Carmen stood up from her seat hesitantly, unsure of how he was going to react. She’d barely taken a step forward when Asa already resumed walking in the direction he’d been heading towards, completely ignoring her.
She faltered in her steps at the obvious hostility, but didn’t stop as she forced her legs to carry her over towards him.
Carmen cut into his path, coming to stand right in front of Asa and forcing him to stop in his tracks.
He wouldn’t meet her eyes, his jaw clenching as he determinedly kept his stare fixed ahead of him, on whatever was behind Carmen.
“Uh.” Carmen cleared her throat, clasping her hands together and shifting on her feet. “I, um, c-can I speak with you?”
There was a beat of silence. Then another.
Wyatt cleared his throat awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. “I’m…I’m gonna go—I’ll leave you guys to it.” He was just about to move and head towards the pool, when Asa’s hand shot out and grabbed Wyatt’s arm.
“Where are you going?” Asa frowned at Wyatt, his voice sounding tensed. “I’m supposed to help you get ready for the competitions.”
“I know,” Wyatt responded calmly. “And that’s exactly what I’m going to do. I’m gonna practise.”
Asa nodded curtly. “Great, then let’s get started. Come on.” He moved closer, walking around Carmen and completely disregarding her presence, as if she was just a piece of rock blocking his path that he needed to sidestep.
“No,” Wyatt called out almost instantly, causing Asa to stop in his tracks once again. “I don’t need you every single practise session, and I think I can handle myself for today, so you can leave.”
Carmen saw Asa’s eyes narrow at his friend, shoulders squaring in a subtle manner. “Leave?” He lifted a brow. “I’ve got nothing better to do, might as well spend my time helping you.”
“Asa.” Wyatt shot him a look.
“Wyatt.” There was warning in Asa’s tone.
A loud sigh left Wyatt’s mouth, and he fixed Asa with a hard look. “I’m going to go hit the pool, got it? And I don’t want to see you there. I mean that, Asa.” He broke the stare and looked at Carmen, offering her what she supposed was a reassuring smile. “All the best,” Wyatt mumbled to her under his breath before walking away from the two of them.
Carmen shifted her body around to face Asa, watching wordlessly as he glared at Wyatt’s retreating figure before turning away abruptly and making his way towards the door of the building in quick, long strides.
She took off after him immediately, not hesitating, not pausing for even the briefest moment to second guess herself.
“Asa!” Carmen called after him as she picked up her pace, struggling to catch up with him.
The second she pulled open the door to step outside, a blast of cool air rushed to Carmen’s face and the smell of damp earth wafted to her nose.
Asa was standing just an arm’s reach away, a frown on his face as his eyes darted around the parking lot with agitation. His eyes flickered up towards the sky and upon noticing the dark clouds, his frown only deepened.
Taking in a deep breath and ignoring the erratic beats of her heart, Carmen slowly approached Asa. Once she was close
