Page 19

We head off toward our nook when Anna steps in front of us. Her frown, slouch, and pale face tell me that she isn’t in a good place. She glances from Coby to me and exhales.

“Lacy, can I talk to you?” she whispers.

Glancing at Coby, he furrows his brows.

What could this English athlete want with us?

“Sure, Anna, what’s up?”

She checks that nobody is watching, then grabs my arm.

“Hey!” Coby calls, stepping up so he’s next to Anna and me.

“Sorry, I just don’t want anyone overhearing,” she tells us, and my interest piques straight away. Her breathing is harsh and rushed, like she’s concerned for her welfare. Something’s definitely not right with Anna.

“Anna, tell me what’s going on? You’re freaking me out,” I say, pulling my arm from her grip.

She takes a deep breath. Her chest is heaving. Her eyes glisten. “Okay, I’m going to tell you this only because my guilt is weighing me down. Watching Caro and the others suffering because of what happened is eating me alive. I’m better than this shit.”

My skin prickles with goose bumps, and I stand up taller, taking in what she’s saying. “Anna?” I question.

She sighs and leans in closer as Coby gulps. “Marta spiked the drinks at the party… then she handed them out. I knew about it, and I did nothing to stop—”

“I knew it!”

My blood boils.

I want to pass out.

A bead of sweat trickles down my forehead as I turn and start pacing the floor. My hands clench at my sides so tightly my nails are digging into my palms.

“Anna, you have to tell the officials,” Coby demands, gently placing a hand on my back to try and placate me, but it doesn’t help. I knew, in my bones, it was Marta who destroyed Caro, but I had no proof. All I want to do is scream but also internally combust all at the same time. I heave in breaths and grow lightheaded as Anna slowly starts to cry.

“I never meant to be this way. I was always so strong and passionate… but Marta, she’s evil. She’s so vengeful and horrible. When things don’t go her way, she lashes out, usually at me. She’s a dreadful person. I can’t believe that I was part of something so heinous.”

I face her dramatically as I pant. “Then do something, Anna! Tell the authorities. Step up and be the brave girl you once were. Tell them what Marta did. Show them the proof and have her punished for her actions. Caro is facing a ban of eighteen months for this, all because of Marta. With a few words, you can get some justice for Caro and the others. You can make a difference, Anna… please ,” I beg, and she wipes her cheek and tilts her head slightly.

“What if it backfires and Marta gets away with it? Then she will turn on me, and I’ll suffer the same fate as Caro. I can’t lose swimming, Lacy. It’s what I live for.”

I shake my head. “Anna, Marta won’t get away with it. How can she? Spiking other athlete’s drinks is illegal. She will be excluded from the team, stripped of her medals, and possibly banned for life from the sport. Just think of how amazing swimming will be without her in it.”

Anna stands a little taller as that information slowly sinks in. She half smiles and nods while Coby grins at me.

“You can do this, Anna. Please . If not for yourself, then for Caro, who’s back home dealing with the media frenzy of being a drug cheat when she’s not one. Clear her name, clear our country and make this right.”

She acknowledges with her head before leaning forward and pulling me into a hug. I open my eyes wide in surprise but hug her back.

“Thank you, Lacy. I wouldn’t have had the strength to do this without your help.”

“So you’re going to report her then?” I confirm.

She takes a deep breath, relaxing her shoulders. “I’ll go to the Board now. Hopefully, in a couple of hours, we will clear Caro’s name.”

“Thank you. Thank you so much, Anna. You have no idea what this means to me or what it will mean to Caro, her family, and Australia. You are so brave, and you are a real hero.”

She smiles before glancing over to an official and stands taller. “Here I go.”

I grin at Coby as he pulls me into his arms. “This is unbelievable. She better pull through and not chicken out. Maybe I should go with her?” I glance over to her, talking to the official.

Coby shakes his head. “No. This is something she needs to do on her own. She needs to know she can stand on her own two feet again. You gave her the boost in confidence she needed. Now, she just has to follow through.”

“I should call Caro.”

Coby shakes his head. “No, not yet. Wait till she’s reported it, and we find out more. Don’t get her hopes up, just in case.”

With a heavy sigh, I agree. “Yeah, you’re right. But holy hell, if Marta gets some sort of punishment for this, I’m going to be so fucking happy.”

Coby grins and chuckles. “I think the whole of the swimming faculty will be happy if something appropriate happens to that girl.”

***

After the medal ceremonies and everything had taken place, a press conference was called, and Tuck ensured that Coby, East and I were summoned to the room while they held it. I’m pretty sure I know what it’s about after seeing Anna again a few hours ago, but my heart is racing so frantically at the thought that something’s going down. I just wish Tuck had told me rather than leaving me to find out this way. Something serious is happening.

East, Coby and I are sitting at the back of the small room that’s littered with reporters. A long desk is stationed at the front with three chairs and a multitude of microphones from countries all over the world. We’re not sure who will be speaking. The conference will start at any moment.

The side door slides open, and cameras begin to flash as reporters fling questions. Tuck, the Head Coach of the Australian Olympic Team and a FINA representative, steps out to the table and sit down. The camera flashes are crazy as I sit up taller, and Coby takes my hand.

“Welcome, everyone. I’m Don Tucker, and I’ll be doing most of the talking for this conference tonight. These Games, mainly the swim team, have been tainted this year with drug cheating offences. Four competitors, Caroline Hughes… Australia, Bik Chang… China, Malena Smirnov… Russia and Jessica Holmes… USA, were stripped of their medals and banned from the sport for eighteen months when their tests returned positive for Adrafinil. These four women were not known to each other, other than they were all connected by swimming. We did find it odd they all tested positive to the same banned substance.

“It has come to our attention that another athlete, Marta Botwright… England, was handing out drinks at an event where all the swimmers congregated. Contained in those drinks was the banned substance Adrafinil. Upon talking with Miss Botwright, we can confirm it was her intention to purposely drug her fellow competitors so their results would come back as positive with the result that they would, therefore, be banned, stripped of any medals, and be out of the running in this Olympic Games.

“To say we are appalled by Miss Botwright’s actions is a tremendous understatement. Never in the history of the games have we seen such un-sportsman-like behaviour, and furthermore, it will not be tolerated.

“It’s almost unbelievable that such a heinous act could bring about the downfall of these four unsuspecting victims. The fact that four swimmers lost their chance at Olympic glory because of the actions of one person is unfathomable. Unfortunately, because the banned substance was found in their systems, the ruling must stand regarding the loss of their medals and their eighteen-month ban. But the stigma of them being drug cheats most certainly should not.

“These four athletes did not willingly subject themselves to this drug. It was slipped to them, and therefore, all harassment and negativity toward them and their countries should be halted immediately. They are not drug cheats. They did not take the drugs purposely. I will reiterate it was forced on them unbeknownst to them. All drama and negative publicity toward the four athletes must now cease. Turn your anger toward the person who deserves it.

“Marta Botwright’s punishment isn’t enough in my eyes, but she has been stripped of every medal won at these Games. Furthermore, she has been sentenced to a life ban from swimming. For the actions of trying to force out her competitors, she has forced herself out for good. Let this be a lesson to all those competing, all those who will compete, and all those thinking of competing. Win on your own merits. Not because you have to take others out of the race.

“Marta will also face a fine which is yet to be determined…” Tuck pauses to take a breath as he rubs his chin.

The questions from the reporters start firing at lightning speed. He shakes his head, putting his hands up and halts their voices.

“I will be taking no questions at this point. There will be further conferences on this matter as more information comes to light, but for now, I think I have given you everything you need to know. Marta is currently with the Board and is also being questioned by the Australian Federal Police. She is in a lot of trouble, and she will pay for her crimes. This in no way should reflect on the incredible results of the English swim team. Marta acted on her own, and should be treated in isolation.

“Thank you, that is all for now. Have a good day.” Tuck stands up from the desk.

The other men follow him as the reporters fire questions but get no replies.

I turn to Coby, relief washing over me as my eyes begin to prick with tears.

East bumps into my shoulder with a great big grin on his face.

“Caro will be so happy when she hears this,” East enthuses.

“She will. This is the best thing I’ve heard all day. What if the police arrest Marta?” I ask.

East wiggles from side to side as Coby chuckles.

“Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves. How about we just be glad that it’s all out in the open, and Caro can relax for now.” Coby tightens his grip on my hand.

Standing, I turn toward the door to spot Tuck walking past. “Let’s go talk to Tuck.” I don’t give the guys a moment to answer before I sprint out of the doors toward my coach and father figure.

“Tuck!” I cry, and he turns to face me, his lips turning up into a smile.

“Lacy, were you in there?” he asks.

I rush up to him, wrapping my arms around his rotund waist and smothering my face into his chest. “Yes, I’m so happy. Everything is going how it should.”

He chuckles and pats my back. “Yes, I’m glad Anna came forward. The poor girl was a wreck when she was talking to us. She’s in some serious trouble, too, for not coming forward sooner. I’m not sure what her punishment will be, but at least she came forward, and now we understand what actually happened. I mean, we always suspected there was more to it, but at least now we have the truth.”

“Have you talked to Caro?” I ask.

He smiles. “Yes. I rang before the press conference to inform her of what was happening. She was so relieved. The poor girl broke down, and I had to finish the rest of the conversation with Trinny. I think Caro could do with a friendly ear or two right now.”

I turn to East. He grins.

“Okay, we’ll phone her now. And Tuck… thank you… for everything. You’ve been amazing. Caro and I couldn’t have done this without you.”

He tightens his grip on me and leans down kissing my hair. “Hey, kiddo, you girls are my life. Watching Caro go through this nearly killed me. So getting some justice for Marta’s bullshit actions is all that matters.”

“Thank God that’s happened. That Marta was getting away with it ate me up.”

“Well, she will get hers, Lacy, don’t you worry about that!” Tuck lets me go.

Coby pulls me to him as someone calls Tuck. Then he’s whisked away to another meeting, no doubt.

“This is incredible. I mean, it sucks that her medals are stripped and her ban is still in place, but even so, at least now the world understands that my girl isn’t a drug cheat. I can’t wait to get home to her, to be honest,” East remarks.

I smile and bow my head. “I’m so happy. Now, everyone will stop hounding her for the wrong reasons, and hopefully, she’ll have some publicity for the right reasons. Seeing her on the television with all those reporters following her and them accusing her ate me up. I can only imagine what she’s been going through. I wish I was there for her… I should have been there for her.”

Coby shakes his head and pulls me to face him. “Lacy, if you weren’t here to talk to Anna, she might never have come forward. You needed to be here so this could all come out. Sure, you weren’t by Caro’s side helping her, but instead, you helped her here. She will be eternally grateful for that.”

East pats my back. “For sure, Lace. If it weren’t for you, Anna wouldn’t have said anything. You made this happen. Caro’s innocence is on you.”

Smiling, I take in a deep breath and scan the place. There are hardly any people. Since the conference, there have been people everywhere. I grab the guys, pull them over to the empty area, and yank out my phone. “Let’s make a phone call?”

They nod, and I dial Caro’s number. It rings a few times, and I think maybe she isn’t going to answer when she picks up.

“Oh, hey, it’s you. I thought it was another fucking reporter.”

Wincing, I sigh and hold the phone in between us so we can all hear. “No, not a reporter… but it is me, East, and Cobes. You’re on speaker.”

“Hey, babe!” East calls.

“Hey, Caro,” Coby chirps.

“Hey, guys, it’s sooo good to hear some normal vices for once. If I answer the phone to another reporter, I might actually tear my hair out, and me bald, mmm… it’s not a good look.”

I wince.

East smirks. “I think you with a bald head could be sexy as fuck, babe,” he quips.

She giggles down the line.

The poor girl hasn’t laughed since this shitstorm happened.

“Really? You think so?” she asks as Coby rolls his eyes and East smirks again.

“Hey, you’d rock any look ’cause your face is the sexiest thing.”

Opening my eyes wide, I grin at East. He shrugs.

“Ah-huh… so you’re talking nice ’cause you miss me or ’cause you miss my pussy, big man?” Caro asks, and I burst out laughing.

“Both, but mainly your puss—”

“Okay, serious talk now. Did you see the conference? I mean, by your attitude, it’s obvious you did, but—” I ask as she giggles down the line interrupting me.

“Yeah, it was freaking awesome. I’m so glad that she’s gonna get what’s coming to her. Stupid bitch ...” she trails the last words off under her breath.

“They’re saying she may even be in trouble with the police. How cool is that?” I ask, and Caro laughs.

“ Sooo freaking cool. I hope she gets arrested, goes to jail and is in cell block nine with big Bertha. She’ll help show her the ropes… if you know what I mean?”

“Yeah, girl!” East encourages, and Coby and I chuckle.

“So you sound okay. Are you… okay?” I question.

She exhales and is quiet for a moment. “I’m okay. I’m not great. I’m not doing cartwheels through the lounge room, but I’m okay. Better now Marta will hang. Having an eighteen-month ban sucks, but I’m determined to come back to it stronger than ever. I’ll be back you wait and see. I’ve wallowed enough, so it’s straight back to training for me. It will be gold all the way. No one will get in my path next time. No one.”

“That’s what I like to hear.” My heart fills with pride as I think of my best friend, my roommate, my sister. She has lost so much, but it has only made her drive stronger, more determined. She’s a fighter, and even through the haze of crap thrown at her, she’s pulled herself through to be a better version of herself.

She is truly amazing .

“Okay, well, keep your chin up and be strong.”

She sighs. “I wasn’t for a while there… I wasn’t strong. I kinda lost myself. But I’m getting stronger day by day. Having you guys and Tuck as my backbone, I can do anything, I can be anything, and fucking hell if I’m not going to show the world what Caro fucking Hughes is made of.”

“Fuck, yeah, baby!” East chirps, and I smile so wide, loving her determination.

“I love you, Caro,” I tell her.

“I love you, too. All of you. Even you, Coby,” she quips, and he chuckles.

“We love you right back,” Coby beams.

“Okay, I gotta go… apparently, there are reporters at the front door now. Fucking hell, I swear I’m gonna just flash them, give them something real to talk about.”

Rolling my eyes, I shake my head. “Caro—”

“Don’t worry, little miss goody-two-shoes, I won’t actually flash them, but I gotta go. East your cock is my jam, peace out fuckers.” And the line goes dead.

We all chuckle as I place my phone back in my pocket.

“She’s in much better spirits.” Coby smirks.

East stands taller. “My cock is her jam.”

Pursing my lips at him, I huff and shake my head. “That’s all you got from that conversation? Really?”

He chuckles. “Hey, I can’t help it if she thinks my cock is the best thing in her world, Lacy. I mean, you had the opportunity to go for all this…” he waves his hands up and down his body, “… but you went for that instead.” He points to Coby, who scoffs and punches his arm.

“Hey!” Coby defends.

“Coby’s all the man I need. I don’t think I could handle… all that .” I scowl as he chuckles.

“Whatever… you love my man meat.”

Pursing my lips, I flare my nostrils slightly. “Yeah… I really don’t.”

He chuckles as Coby kisses my hair. “You guys suck. You could at least pretend that you love me.”

“Oh, East… oh, East… sweep me off my feet and pleasure me with your love rod,” I say in a sickly -sweet voice as Coby and East burst out laughing.

“Oh God, Lacy, that was terrible… love rod? Dude, does she talk to you like that?” East asks.

“Nope, definitely not. That’s reserved for you, my friend,” he answers.

I smile and shake my head.

“Okay, well, that’s enough to scar me for life. Lacy, I’m sorry, but can we just be friends?” East jokes, and I offer a fake frown before laughing.

“Okay, it hurts, but okay.”

“Right, I’m off, got things to do, burgers to eat.” East walks off, leaving Coby and I to cuddle in the corner.

Chuckling to myself, I gaze into Coby’s beautiful blue eyes. “How did I get so lucky?”

He furrows his brows and tilts his head slightly. “What do you mean?”

“Well, I have two amazing friends and a guy who takes my breath away.”

Coby smirks, pressing his forehead against mine. “So this guy? Do I know him?”

Giggling, I lean up, pressing my lips to his softly. That spark, that tingle that’s always there, doesn’t fail me, and it sets off a blaze inside me. Coby is the fire that burns deep inside my soul. I just have to tell him that I want to be with him. We’re both at a crossroads where we can either be together or keep this as just a casual thing. But I need more from him and I know he wants this too.

“Can we go to the nook? There’s something I want to talk to you about?” he asks.

I smile. “Sure.”