The afternoon sun was relentless, the kind of Texas heat that turns a casual backyard hang into a test of endurance. Julian stood by the edge of the turquoise pool, debating whether the effort of changing into trunks was worth the reward of a swim.
His friends, however, weren't interested in a debate.
With a sudden, coordinated surge, two of them lunged forward. There was a brief, chaotic scramble--a frantic attempt to find footing on the slick brick--before a massive splash echoed against the stone balustrades.
He emerged a moment later, blinking back chlorinated water and weighing the heavy, saturated denim of his slim-fit jeans. His "Old Glory" tee was now a second skin, clinging to him in a deep, sodden charcoal. He climbed out slowly, dripping a steady trail across the warm patio, his initial shock melting into a resigned grin. It wasn't the refined, planned cooling off he'd imagined for the day, but as the breeze hit his soaked clothes, it was exactly what he needed.