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

“My other suggestion? The best time to worry about after is after. You’ll graduate. You’ll swim, and then you’ll find that next thing you love. Speaking of love, will Mathias be joining us over vacation?”


I coughed for forty seconds. “Went down the wrong pipe.” I pointed at my throat, which hurt like a bitch from nearly choking to death. I still hadn’t come out to my parents, not when I’d been home for Devon’s birthday by myself, because Mathias had signed up for a two-day hike, and not later, because there was no need after that. Yet there was my dad asking me about my ex-boyfriend.


“We bought him a stocking, and your mom had been hoping he’d help her peel potatoes for Christmas dinner.”


Dad shrugged. “I never really thought about it, I guess. I just assumed you and Mathias were…more than friends.”


He laughed. “Reed, why wouldn’t I be?”


Chapter 62