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

Though I had done my best to forget Mathias Webber ever existed over the three years since he’d walked out of my dorm room to fuck someone else, I really never could. My victories in the pool against men other than him weren’t exactly hollow. Most interactions in the bedroom, backseats of cars, or behind buildings with anyone I tried to get with, conversely, honestly were.


Chapter 73