Page 5

Caro and I had gone to the café with the boys to celebrate Coby’s win. He’s become the first ticket holder in our group to Melbourne. It was riveting to witness him race to win his spot. He’s such an incredible athlete that when Coby asked again if we would go out tonight, I couldn’t say no—especially after that spine-tingling kiss. Despite Tuck’s warning, we brats sneak out tonight.

It’s us four and a couple more of the group from Playford. We’re sensible and do not drink. We only eat salad and protein for our dinner. We can’t go off track the first night into the trials.

A band plays. We don’t plan to stay out too late. It’s already nine-thirty. Some of the guys and girls have to swim in the morning—like Caro and East, who are shaking it on the dance floor. Coby and I sit in the corner, snickering as those two make a mockery of dancing.

“Do you wanna dance?” Coby croons.

“Sure.” We scoot out of the booth and over to the dance floor. The song changes from “Shut up and Dance” by Walk The Moon to “Love Me Like You Do” by Ellie Goulding. Smiling as Coby pulls me close, I wrap my arms around his neck. The energy buzzing between us sets my pulse racing. My stomach flutters as our foreheads meet. He stares into my eyes as we sway to the beautiful music. Moving in unison, his every muscle pushes against my torso, making me blush and my insides tingle.

He licks his lips as he edges closer. Our chemistry surges. He’s no doubt one of the hottest guys I’ve ever met. Part of the attraction lies in his amazing personality. A little quirkiness, a little kindness. Everything about Coby attracts me.

As I lick my lips, we inch closer together. When our lips meet, I tremble all over. I smooth his hair. My mouth opens, letting his tongue in. It dances with mine playfully. The kiss is delicate. When I move in to deepen the kiss, I burst into almighty laughter. Its echo breaks us apart.

“Geez! Didn’t take you two long to switch from swimming to playing tonsil hockey, did it?” East cries, slapping Coby on the back.

“You’re a cockhead, East. Way to ruin a moment,” Coby chides.

“Oh, you were having a moment? Shit, sorry, bro, I’ll crack out the violins and get Hugh Grant in, shall I?” East shakes his head as Coby rolls his eyes.

“Cockhead.”

“Well, this cock needs some head, but Caro isn’t budging tonight. So I’m heading back to the cabin. It’s getting late, and I gotta swim tomorrow. You coming, bro?”

Coby smiles. “Guess I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“For sure. Where are you staying?”

“At the caravan park down the road in a cabin. We can walk from here. How about you?”

“We’ll go back to our unit. It’s not far from the centre, but we’ll need to catch a taxi.”

“Okay, we’ll walk you out.” He takes my hand, and together, we step over to Caro.

Without warning, East scoops her up and tosses her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. She howls in protest, her laughter echoing through the room. Those two are an absolute riot.

As we head outside, East finally sets her down. She smacks his shoulder with a playful glare. “You’re such a troll,” she mutters, though there’s no real bite to it.

Grinning, he leans in to kiss her, but she giggles and tilts her head just in time, offering her cheek instead. His lips land there with an exaggerated smooch, and her laughter rings out again.

Coby and I burst out laughing as East groans.

I turn to Coby and smile. “Thanks for a beautiful day and for being there when I kind of lost it.”

“I want to support you, Lace. You’re kind of awesome.”

“The feeling’s mutual. Walk safe,” I drawl, kissing him briefly.

Then I step into the taxi. Caro follows me and shuts the door. The guys wave at us as the car takes off. Caro instructs the driver, and I recall how amazing today has been.

“God, East is a douche!” Caro cries. “He’s such an idiot, but fuck is he fun. But you and Cobes, hey? You’re getting quite cosy there.”

“Shut up! It’s just flirting.”

“Ah-huh… tell that to old permanent boner man.”

“What?” I choke.

“He’s got a hard-on for you the size of my credit card bill.”

“Right… well, that’s nice to know,” I shriek.

“Sure is, you seen what he’s packing?”

“What? No! Have you?”

“Oh my God, Lacy, you don’t stare at his crotch? Fuck, I do. He and East are seriously loaded down south, if you know what I mean.”

“How do you function?” I chuckle.

“I don’t. Get used to it.”

The taxi pulls up. Caro pays him before we slide out and head inside. It’s close to ten p.m., and we need to go to bed.

“Right, sleep tight. You have a final tomorrow, and I have my first heat in the morning—”

“More like you’re in heat ,” I murmur as I make my way to my room.

“Ha!”

“Night, Lacy!”

“Night, Caro!”

***

I’m sitting in the stands with Coby, focusing on Caro as she swims her heat for the 100m Breaststroke. She’s in her first fifty, and she’s about to hit the wall in third. Coby and I root for her as she glides through the water, and I panic when she hits the wall and turns for the final fifty— Caro’s still in third.

“C’mon, Caro, lift girl, lift,” I call, bouncing up and down on my seat.

Coby chews his bottom lip as we both sit as far forward as possible. And as if she hears me, she pulls up her game, stroking harder. Her head bobs up and out of the water, performing faster and producing a more even stroke. My adrenaline piques as she overtakes Natalia. Now she’s headed for first. She’s neck and neck with Natalia, pushing harder. She moves out a stroke in front of Natalia when they both glide under the water and slam against the wall.

I scan the scoreboard to see who hit first.

It’s Caro.

I squeal as I turn to Coby. He pulls me into his arms and smooths my hair back from my face as I gaze into his eyes. Sparks fly between us. As I stare into his luminous blues, wanting so badly to lean in and kiss him, time stands still. All the elation of Caro’s victory shapes this moment while I stare into his eyes.

I vaguely hear “Easton Summers, Playford Swimming Club,” over the speakers. The words break me out of my Coby-induced trance before I glance down at the pool. Not only is Caro out of the pool, but the next lot of swimmers have lined up to be announced.

I gulp as I turn from Coby to East, as he waves his biceps around like a fool.

“He’s a show pony,” Coby remarks.

He dips his head as I giggle. I cannot deny the chemistry surging between Coby and me.

Nonetheless, it’s a distraction.

Then I focus on Easton, who jumps into the water and faces the pool’s edge, waiting for the order.

“Take your mark.”

He pulls up ready to leap backward for his 100m backstroke. It’s the only stroke where you start in the pool.

The gun fires. He throws himself backward into the depths. Cheers erupt around us. He has a fan club of, well, everyone here —it’s his personality. He is so gregarious. So we cheer him on as he pulls up and strokes backward. I can’t help but admire his toned body. His physique ripples and sparkles through the water. Then he hits the wall in second. He continues to glide through the liquid without effort, and I can see why this is his priority stroke. As he continues, he’s neck and neck with a guy from Queensland.

They hit the wall at the same time.

We study the board.

East has come through in second position.

We clap and cheer—his time being good enough for him to get through to the semi.

“We should go to the athletes’ area. Try and catch up with them?” Coby asks. I nod.

It dawns on me that, in a few hours, I’m going to be back in that pool. Not swimming a heat or a semi, but a final. A spot to grab my ticket to the Games. My chance to actually make the Olympic team. I’ve been fine all morning, but now I remind myself that today could make or break my Olympic dreams.

We stand up and make our way down to the athletes’ designated area. Coby grabs my hand.

“Hey, are you okay?”

With a fake smile, I reply, “Yeah, just getting nervous.”

“Don’t swim with your head, Lace, swim with your heart,” Coby advises.

I beam. “A very wise woman once told me that.”

He smiles. “Well, it’s what I live by. If you let your head get in the way, it fucks everything up. Just go with your heart. It never fails you.”

Gripping his hand, I smile. “Thank you, I needed that.”

“Oh my God, did you see me?” a high-pitched voice calls.

I spy Caro letting go of Coby, so I race forward, wrapping my arms around her. “Yes, I did. Well done. I’m so proud of you.”

“Well, it’s only the heat. I have two more swims to go, so let’s not get too happy.”

“You’ll do great, Caro. The way you came back in that last fifty was gold,” Coby enthuses.

Caro tilts her body to the side. “You think so?”

“ ’Twas epic.”

“Thanks. Sure, second wasn’t as good as Caro’s first. But still, I have to let her come first at something, right?”

“Good work, mate. You got into the semi. We’re all doing well. Now Lady Butterfly has to do exceptionally this evening, and we’ll be soaring,” Coby declares.

My stomach knots again. I tingle all over.

“Fooooood, I need carbs,” Caro whines.

We all turn as Katie steps into our path.

Coby turns around. “Yes, Katie?”

“Could you show me something?” she asks, fluttering her lashes.

My stomach churns as I clench my fists.

I’m actually jealous!

Coby furrows his brows and purses his lips. “I’m kinda busy right now.”

“Maybe later then?” she mewls.

“Probably not even then, Katie. Sorry,” Coby clips.

I chew my bottom lip.

Katie glares at me. “See you in the pool later, Lacy.”

“You bet,” I reply as nicely as I can.

She storms off while I hide my shudder.

“What was that about?” Caro muses.

“She wanted to take me away from you guys so she could weasel her way back in. It’s not gonna happen,” Coby replies.

He wraps his arm around my shoulders, and we head to the cafeteria.