Chapter 125

I waited for an explanation, a ruling—the results—the same as everyone else. 21

Most of us were still in the water when the names finally lit up overhead. Mine was on top. “Yes!” And Mathias’s was second. He’d made it. He’d made the Rio team.

“Fuck!”

My head jerked to the left. The exclamation had come from him.

“What?” I tried to get him to look me in the eye, but he glared right past me, his gaze fixed upon the display screen.

I gasped. How had I missed the big red X beside his name, so obvious when I turned that way again? Mathias had been disqualified. He wasn’t going to the Olympics after all. If I went—when I went—it would be without him.

* * * *

I was close enough to reach for Mathias on our way to the locker room, to maybe sooth him with my touch, but then Mick Albert grabbed my arm. “Time for your close-up.”

“I have to piss.” Untruths were right at the ready now.

“Hurry up. Your brother’s waiting.”