Chosen by a former Olympic swimmer to train for the 2016 Games as a pre-teen, Reed’s journey begins. Along the way, he develops feelings for two childhood friends: neighbor Cal and lifelong rival Mathias. Cal’s struggle with his sexuality brings tragedy. Mathias’s wealth makes Reed feel as if they’re from different worlds.<br><br>As Rio approaches, Mathias becomes a gay sports icon, while Reed must hide his sexuality for a lucrative endorsement deal important to his family’s future. Reed’s unresolved desires for both men remain, and so do the things that have kept them apart. Has Reed grown enough to navigate rougher waters, to find truth, pride, victory, and love?

Truth, Pride, Victory, Love

“T-r-u-t-h. That’s right.” Mathias nodded, as if that was what Devon had said. “I knew how to spell it too.”


I looked down into my brother’s face as I struggled to hold him up still. I never knew whether or not to correct him when he made mistakes like that. Mathias’s way seemed to work. Devon was still smiling.


“But I was so nervous.” Mathias continued his story. “We could have won. It was my team against your brother’s.”


“Ah…he could have, you see, but you know what he did, Devon?”


“When I couldn’t spell the word…because I was too scared to move and go to the board in front of everyone…When I stood there, frozen, and tinkled in front of the whole class…Reed passed up the victory. He not only refused to accept the win on a technicality like that, he’s such a noble man, your brother is, even as a little boy, he stuck up for me that day and yelled at everyone to stop laughing.”


Chapter 21