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

Just as day began to break, my mother headed off to work before I had even fallen asleep. Dad gave her a kiss I could hear upstairs.


“I love you more. Have a better one.”


I’d heard the exchange a million times in my twenty-some years. It made me make a promise to myself right then and there that I would play the media game as best I could if I did well in Rio, to earn even bigger bank and give my parents a vacation, at least, and a whole new life if possible, despite Dad’s stubbornness. I wasn’t a little kid anymore and could raise my voice too. I could be just as strong-willed.


Chapter 83