Numbers mean everything to an Olympic marathoner, but for Gordon O’Dooley, his obsession with one number in particular might get a little out of hand. Gordon literally comes running into Marty Walsh’s family diner one day, and their mutual attraction is instant. He comes on too strong, though, and Marty quickly slams on the brakes. When Marty suggests they take things slow, Gordon races off, and any hope of a relationship goes right along with him. Four years pass, and Marty does his best to move on. But fate brings them back together as Gordon is preparing for another Olympic bid. They agree to start over, slowly this time. As they get to know each other, Marty comes to realize how strong Gordon's obsession with the number five is. Will Marty be able to handle Gordon's OCD? And what will Gordon do when he realizes the reason behind Marty's reluctance at intimacy?

Put Five Rings on It

“And my time still wasn’t good enough. I’ve had sex before other races since, and done my best times ever, though, so maybe it does work.” He threw up his hands. “Fuck if I know. The sex sucked.”


“I’m tired of sex without something else behind it, you know?”


“I do. Not that I get to…The frequency of…You’re still running, then?”


“I am. I’m definitely going for Rio.”


“I’m on the way,” Gordon said. “Keeping my numbers where they have to be. I have a qualifier exactly five months from today.”


“Hey.” I thought of something. “That’s why you always came in at ten or five fifty-five.”


“So, we’re going to start seeing each other again. I’m not giving you a chance to say no.”


I smiled. “I wasn’t going to. I’m saying yes.”


Chapter 12