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

Caryn, Mathias, and even Cal were there as well. Cal was civil, but he was also distant, though rarely literally. The game of musical chairs he and Mathias played for the next cushion over on the sofa or the folding chair on either side of me was obvious and comical. I got up at least one time per night to use the john, whether I needed to or not, knowing the seating would be rearranged while I was gone, so everyone could move one spot up in luxury and comfort. Whenever I stood, my two suitors did. The little duel and the jealousy behind it went to my head. I regained my healthy ego for a while, even as far as my looks were concerned, and it didn’t really need much stroking.


In the end, nothing came of it, though. I still went to bed alone, my only companion my right hand—and sometimes my left one, if I felt like changing things up.


The second week of the XXX games I had to go up to Mathias’s. There was a “cleanliness issue” at the community pool.


Chapter 47