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

Ben and Richie shared one tiny bed for sex, then went to separate ones to sleep.


“I need to stretch out,” Richie had said. “And you need to be upside down.”


The next morning, Ben was about to shower before heading out for a run.


“Nah. My athlete days are over. I’m gonna get lazy and fat,” he joked. “Come back quick, though.” Richie kicked away the sheet to show he’d awoken hard, too.


They hadn’t made love. After all the consternation and miscommunication, all they did was oral sex—one way, Ben going down on Richie. Both finished by jerking off. Richie didn’t even seem all that into kissing or watching Ben cum.


“I’ll hit the head while you finish.” That was what he’d said.


Is that all there is to it? Ben was left to wonder. Is that the feeling I thought I’d have? The one I thought I’d recognized?


“When I get back, we’ll try again,” Ben said.


Maybe making love was like gymnastics—lots of practice was needed to get it right.


Chapter 45