After a lifetime of devotion, Ben Thornton tries to focus on gold at the 2012 London Olympics. Unfortunately, a British tabloid reporter sets his sights on outing a famous athlete, namely Ben, who is just now accepting his sexual identity himself.<br><br>Meanwhile, someone crushing on Ben reveals himself via a mysterious love note. Is best friend and teammate Richie Stoker the one, or maybe Richie’s twin brother, Adam? Team members Steven, Vijra, or Cory could have authored it. Then, there’s Ben’s ex; the exe’s sibling; friend with occasional benefits, Booger Fisher; and also Ukrainian weightlifter Iggy, who follows Ben around the Olympic Village. It could also be a trick perpetrated by the gossipmonger, Ben fears.<br><br>Will the pressure of the media circus interfere with Ben’s competitions, or will Ben leave London with gold and the man of his dreams?

Double Flip

Adam still kept his distance after that, choosing to communicate mostly by text or video chat. Perpetually scruffed, he’d grown his hair out for a while, a new millennium beatnik look Ben found kind of hot. In the North Greenwich Arena stands to root on his brother, Adam was back to short hair, which made him look more like Richie again.


No notes. No in person chats. Just a cheerleader’s nod from row J, seat 24, that was the only interaction so far. Maybe Adam thought it was better for his brother and Ben that way.


Richie, as always, was quiet during the stroll to Club Gold. He walked ahead of Ben, maybe not realizing his bigger steps were leaving Ben a few behind. At least Ben got to check out Richie’s butt.


Chapter 11