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

I checked my phone before heading back out. Mathias had sent a text.


I guess I’ll putter around awhile before I have to head to the airport. My plane leaves at 5:40, so…I don’t know. HMU if you want to talk. I’ll respect your wishes. I guess I don’t have a choice. Start and stop. That’s what we do. I’ve waited, what, thirteen years or so. T-r-u-t-h? I guess I can wait another couple of months until after Rio. Get your commercials. Make some bank. I understand, but, still, I hope you’ll come back to me. No pressure. No grand gestures. No balloons. Just know I love you and I’ll wait.


My thumbs poised, I thought about telling him to come back, like he said he’d desperately wanted me to do back when we were freshmen in college. The thought of him hurting as he waited for that was almost enough to force me. Maybe I was a stupid ass, though, because I didn’t do it, even after he sent another one of his fancy emojis—a dancing leaf.


Chapter 106