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

“Oh.” Ben disagreed. “It was something.”


“Look. Richie told me he had feelings for you, and I stepped aside. I did the right thing, bro.” Adam looked up from his shoes to Richie’s eyes just a moment. “For us. For once. For once, I took off for a good reason. I shoulda stayed away.”


“You didn’t tell him?” Ben asked Richie as Adam once again bolted.


“No. You know how Adam is. I’ve barely spoken to him since London.”


“Yeah. We have to do something about that.”


“I’ll get out of your way,” Richie said.


“Rich…” Ben brought him close. “You are never in my way,” he said into his neck.


“Well…I have a date. Dina Underhill wants to get together.”


Ben bit his tongue. “Okay. Well…have fun.” He hugged Richie again. “Try to relax and…just be patient.”


With Richie out the door, Ben went to confront Adam a second time. Once again, when things got uncomfortable, the guy fled.


“Well, at least you only ran as far as the kitchen door.”


Chapter 49