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

“What if he’s right? I feel we’re already not as close as we used to be.”


“We do everything together but shower, sleep, and fuck, Reed. How much more togetherness could we stand?”


“That’s the point. Remember the night you pushed our beds against the walls so we could feel like we were sleeping together? Now you sound like you’re sick of me.”


Mathias rolled his eyes. “You’re imagining any kind of rift andbeing overly dramatic.”


That in itself was the source of more strife and accompanying attitude on my part. Maybe that was what Coach Keller had wanted all along.


Chapter 49