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

He adjusted his cap and then his dick. He squatted and rose, stretching and lolling his head side to side. I considered blowing the race as my eyes were transfixed by his motion and his body, his determination and—fuck—his grand gesture in Eric Spidderman’s hotel room and his leafy undershorts. I would have to come in third at best, in order to assure Mathias a second-place finish and a spot on the roster for the 1,500-meter in Rio. A poor flip at the far wall, a slower kick, a shorter reach, I could easily take a dive.


My thoughts surprised me. I hadn’t come in third place since fifth fucking grade. This surely wasn’t my best race. I might actually not have to.


Shit. Who was I kidding? I’d kicked ass in the 1,500-meter freestyle a hundred times or more. Fuck that shit about not being a long-distance swimmer. There was no doubt I liked the quick ones better, but I was just as good at this one.


Chapter 124