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

See, smell, taste, feel, hear. One voice was missing in the roar of the crowd. Ben looked to row J, seat 24. 39


He watched live from his hotel room, not in the stands. Sporting his Team USA shirt, socks, shorts, even underwear, he cheered them on, especially his brother and Ben. He’d put in a call, groveling, begging, pleading. “There has to be some way to stop that damned video from going public.”


In the end, he was told it was too late. It was already being promoted, with short, explicit clips all over the internet.


“You’re both gonna hate my frigging guts. How’s what I just fly home? Get out of both your lives forever?” he said to the TV screen, to the two most important men in his life. 40


The Chinese team was on fire! It was coming down to them, the Japanese, the Americans in third, and, too close for comfort in fourth, the Germans.


Chapter 31