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

“You said some people weren’t treating Mathias very well.”


“Right. I mean, we get our share of bigotry on a daily basis, just because we’re a gay magazine. We’re used to it. People click on my stories online just to call me faggot. If someone is relatively new to celebrity, like Mathias, well, it can be tough.”


“I can mostly say, ‘Screw ‘em.’ Like, consider the source, these trolls who sit around all day with nothing better to do than post shit and shade on websites or Amazon.com. People’s reaction to the shooting at Pulse in Orlando…”


“Yeah.” That event was too fresh in my mind for the mention of it not to hurt.


“Hate. Such hate, both the crime and the vitriol after it, not to mention a lack of compassion. It still disgusts me how some sickos almost tried to justify a massacre with Bible verses. ‘I told you so.’ ‘Serves them right.’”


Chapter 115