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

“What?” Ben was anxious to know what it was.


“Well,” Kat began, “it’s not good.” She took a breath. “Iggy ran away.”


“That’s what he says. Here are the highlights. He doesn’t want to be a weightlifter, anymore. His father, who used to be a boxer, is really mean. Iggy wants to get away from him.”


“Wow!” Ben shook his head and sat on the bed. “A detestable Russian boxer. Suddenly, we’re all in Rocky IV.”


“My father will offer a beat down if he hears you say that again.”


“‘Hang out’? As in hide?” Ben jumped back up, pacing and flailing like Iggy. “Like defect? Do Russians—Ukrainians, even—still defect, or is that a thing of the past?”


“Simmer down, Sally! You’re not helping.” Kat was always the voice of reason.


“Okay.” Ben took a moment. “Um, does his father hit him?”


Iggy shook his head no, then said a bunch of words.


Chapter 26