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

It kind of sucked, the fact none of them had any problem shoving a mic in Cory’s face; maybe, if they were kind, sticking with praise for his meticulous National Championship routine a few weeks back. Unfortunately, some still went further into the past instead—right for the jugular. Just that morning one reporter asked, “How are you dealing with this competition after ruining your team’s chances all those other times?”


Currently, Cory was an actual all-around contender. He stuck every landing at every competition in 2012 so far, even at the TQ, even on floor.


Cory was a ginger, pale and freckled. Many a fun hour was spent, no doubt, by whoever shared his bed, playing connect the dots on his sporty, spotty physique. He was smooth as silk from the waist up except for pit sprouts, but pumpkin hair below the belt was aplenty, at least until Cory started shaving it off.


“You trying to make that little thing look bigger?” Steven Mamahdusidal had joked in the shower.


Chapter 13