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

The day I arrived at my final event before Rio—the one that would get me there or stop me from going—I was feeling pretty confident, even though my numbers had fallen off some. I wanted first place in every race, but I’d be facing competitors I had never gone up against before, including the last Olympic champ. My World titles and records meant nothing to many swimming fans. They’d be rooting against me, the spoiler, and for him. There really was the Olympics and everything else, and many so-called devotees paid no attention whatsoever to the “everything else” part—to any other events. My main competition was more famous and beloved than new gay sports icon Mathias Webber, even if he hadn’t competed in years, even if he’d been in some trouble. I was really going to need my mantra and mental imagery to get by him.


“You got this,” Coach said as I stood in front of him.


Chapter 111