Page 6

The time has come.

I’ve been nervous all afternoon.

Coby has been trying to keep me calm, but he’s not here right now in the marshalling area just before my race. Luckily, East and Caro are doing a decent job at distraction.

“Did you know the female butterfly disembowels the male butterfly after they fuck?” Caro informs me.

“Really?”

She snickers. “No, I don’t think so. But it made you laugh, right?”

Chuckling, I shake my head. “I’m not sure if I’m impressed or freaked out.”

“All I’m saying is… you’re the only female butterfly in the pool, and all those other competitors are the males.”

I purse my lips and furrow my brows. “You want me to disembowel my competitors?”

She smiles. “Exactly!”

“You’re sooo weird.”

We crack up with laughter as she cuddles into my side.

I ponder what’s ahead of me. This is my only chance at making this year’s Olympic Team. I have to not only place first or second but also come in under the FINA Olympic qualifying time.

The thought of me freezing in the water overtakes me again, but I try to block it out.

Swim from the heart, not from the head.

I CAN do this.

“100-meter Fly, get ready,” the marshal commands.

My stomach sinks through the floor as Caro wraps her arms around me tightly.

“You can do this, Lacy. I believe in you,” Caro reassures.

I chuckle. “What, nothing quick-witted?”

She shakes her head. “Nope. Just good luck, and race hard. You got this. With your heart, Lace… with your heart.”

East fist-bumps me. “Disembowel those fuckers, Lace. I want blood and guts all through the pool,” he quips.

I giggle. “I knew I couldn’t leave here without one of you being a tool.”

“Happy to step up to the plate. Now kick some arse, Lace,” East cheers.

Caro nods as I turn and walk over to the lineup. My heart races. I’ve never been so nervous—not even trying out four years ago.

Shit! Don’t think like that!

Walking to the lineup, I move in front of Katie. As I step to the front of her, she slams into my back, sending me flying into a row of metal chairs. My shoulder collides with the steel. My knees hit the floor. The chair topples over. I moan as an official bends down and lifts me up by my good shoulder while my left shoulder aches and tears prick at my eyes.

“Are you okay?” the official asks.

With a quick bow, I turn back to Katie and tense up. Great, swimming with a stiff shoulder . As if I wasn’t nervous enough. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

“What happened?” he demands.

Taking a deep breath, I can’t say for sure it was Katie who pushed me as I didn’t see. Even though I suspect her, I can’t be one hundred per cent sure, so I say nothing. “I fell. Sorry to worry you.”

“Are you sure? Do you need a medic?” he asks.

I give my head a slow side-to-side motion, then roll my shoulder again as more tears form in my eyes. “I’m fine. I need to race.”

He gives a subtle dip and helps me back into the lineup. Turning around I glare at Katie, who’s smirking. Fucking bitch!

The line starts moving, so I turn around and walk out, hoping that nothing else happens. I massage my left shoulder slightly, trying to ease the pain but causing more.

I better leave well enough alone.

I’m seething. If Katie has fucked up my chances at going to Melbourne, I might take that disembowelling thing seriously.

While we walk out into the centre, the crowd cheers for us. Taking in short, shallow breaths, I calm myself. I need to find a centre of gravity and hold onto it because I’m psyching myself out. The idea of not only freezing mid-swim but also my shoulder halting me from doing my best is starting to play on my mind.

With your heart.

Gulping, I stumble to my seat and scan the crowd, spying Caro’s parents and brothers. Sitting in the next row over is Coby. They’re all smiling, giving me the boost I need.

I CAN do this!

I’m going to use the fire from the pain, and the anger from what Katie did, to light the match. I have more drive and determination in me right now than ever before. There’s so much on the line, and I’m not going to let Katie Reynolds destroy my Olympic dreams, and I’m certainly not going to let my head destroy them either.

They call my name. I wave to the sea of faces with my good arm as the home crowd cheers for me, spurring me even more. My breathing hitches slightly at the show of support from my peers. I beam, even though my shoulder is hurting, and there’s that small niggle in the back of my mind telling me it’s going to hinder my stroke. Taking off my Marion swim shirt and track pants, I place them in the bin and roll my shoulders. The ache is not terrible to the point of injury, just to the point of bruising. Still, it could be enough to slow me down a little.

Slapping my biceps, I crack my neck from side to side and step up to the starting block. My heart is racing so fast, it’s like I’ve had forty Red Bulls . Either way, my blood is pumping hard and fast through my veins as my breathing is slightly rushed, but I try to control it. You can’t go into a race out of breath, Lacy. Especially this one. The butterflies in my stomach are going crazy.

The buzzer sounds.

I step up onto the starting block.

Taking in long, deep breaths, I repeat my mantra over and over.

Thank you, Mia Hamm!

“Take your mark.”

Bending down, I close my eyes and breathe. Opening them again, I wait for the gun to go off. All the noise around me evaporates. My ears throb. My heart hammers before the gun fires. I grit my teeth and force my body off the starting block. I dive headfirst into the crystal-clear blue liquid. As the water hits my face, I can’t stop the adrenaline from surging. A fire burns right through me as I dive. I sway up and down, moving as far as I can before I come up for my first stroke. I reach dead straight in front of me, breaking as I finally come up and take a much-needed breath. I bring my arms over my body and slam them back down into the water. My shoulder pulls, making me wince slightly. Yet I push on. This is too damn important for me—I cannot wimp out.

I continue with stroke after stroke as I wave in a perfect rhythm through the water. I’m not sure where I am in the lead of the race, but right now, all I need to concentrate on is getting to the finish. Presently, I’m about halfway through as I duck, hitting the wall and swivel, diving back down through the liquid and moving my body for the final fifty of the swim of my life. My lungs are starting to burn. My muscles are freezing—especially my left shoulder—but I need to push. I need to hit the wall before the FINA qualifying time—that’s my sole aim. I don’t need to come first—I just need to come in before that time.

So I push, I push through the pain, through the agony of losing air, through the knowledge that I’m slowing my pace. I think of four years ago. When I froze. But something inside me flicks. I picture Coby’s face telling me to swim from my heart, not my head. So I light the match one last time, ignoring the pain, my lack of breath, and my burning lungs. Ignoring the fact that every inch of me is screaming in agony. I need this, I’ve worked so hard for this. My eyes well as I push through the agony. Every time I come up for air, I can’t get enough, but I keep pushing through.

I’m going to make it!

I slam the wall. My feet touch the bottom of the pool. I rise to the surface, water dripping from my face. I take in deep lungfuls of air. I’m practically gasping, as I roll my shoulder and study the time board. I burst into tears. I hit the wall in second behind Katie— not ideal —but the main issue is I came in .07 under the FINA qualifying time.

I’m going to the Olympics!

But only by the skin of my teeth.

Tears burn my cheeks as I pull off my caps. The crowd cheers. I’m having trouble keeping my emotions in check.

Goddammit! I nearly didn’t make it.

I calm my breathing as I try to stop myself from breaking down into full-on sobs. The emotion is a bit much for me right now. All the odds were stacked against me. I froze last time. My shoulder wasn’t at full strength this time. My family wasn’t here for support. Yet I proved everyone wrong and showed them that I can do this.

I am a fighter.

I’m on my way to Melbourne.

I’m going all the way.

All the way to the top.

Olympic glory!

I get out of the pool and wipe my face. As I walk toward the marshalling area, Rhada calls Katie and me over for a joint interview. I cringe, but I always knew there could be a possibility of this.

Moving over to Rhada, Katie passes me by. She doesn’t say anything but struts like she’s God’s gift to humanity.

“Ladies, well done on getting your tickets to Melbourne. Lacy, this will be your first Olympics. I can see by the tears you’re excited to go.” Rhada remarks. I berate myself for being unable to hold back my tears.

“I am. It was a tough race… I have a little niggle in my left shoulder tonight… so to pull through regardless of that… means so much to me.” I can’t help but dig a little at Katie as she stands by my side.

“Yeah, I’m so proud… to have made it through… with my good friend Lacy here… on the Australian Olympic Swimming team… we’re going to dominate the pool in August,” Katie states. I want to roll my eyes, but all of Australia is watching. So, instead, I smile and nod.

“This will be your second Olympics, Katie. Are you more excited about this one being in your home country?” Rhada asks.

“I sure am… I can’t wait until they unveil the mascot… and light the torch, one hundred and six days before the start… I’m pumped, Rhada, I’m pumped.”

I cringe at her over-enthusiasm but continue to keep smiling as the tears keep rolling down my face.

“Great swim, ladies. We’ll see you on the dais a little later for your presentations.”

“Thanks, Rhada,” we both sing in unison. Then, we walk off toward the marshalling area, waving to the crowd. Katie is smiling at me and laughing like she’s my best friend. I find it utterly disturbing. Once we step in behind the marshalling area, she scoffs and storms away from me.

“You can’t break me, Reynolds,” I call.

The bitch throws me the bird, then says, “Whatever! But I can keep trying,” she retorts as she heads to the change rooms.

Taking a deep breath, I wipe my cheeks again.

Caro and East rush to me.

“My God. I got to go, but we’re taking that bitch out,” Caro declares, leaning in to kiss my temple. “Oh, and congratulations. I knew you could do it!” She rushes off for her swim.

“Good luck, Caro. Smash it!”

“Hulk smash… got it,” she calls back.

I breathe deeply and sit down next to East.

“You should report Katie for what she did.”

“What good would it do?”

“Would show her she’s not the queen of fucking everything. How’s the shoulder?”

“Sore as fuck,” I huff. “Thank God all my swimming is done for a while. I’m going to need to go to the physio.”

He curls his lip. “Fucking bitch. Wait till Coby hears about this. He’ll want to issue a complaint to the board.”

I let out a sigh. “There’s no need. She didn’t succeed. I still got my ticket.”

“Well, if you want me to swap her moisturizer for toothpaste, just give me the signal, and it’ll be done… no questions asked. Oh, and her mouthwash for coolant, that can be arranged, too. There’s no end to my trickery.”

Snickering, I shake my head. “I bet there’s not. Remind me to never get on your bad side.”

He cackles as the starting signal fires, and I immediately face the screen.

Caro dives into the water and races in front. She bobs up and down at an even tempo. Natalia is right on her. I’m holding my breath as she hits the wall and turns for their final fifty. Natalia and Caro are stroke for stroke. East and I stare at the screen. My legs bob up and down as they race each other with precision and skill. It’s close—I have no idea who’s in front—it’s that close.

“C’mon, Caro,” I murmur.

East chews his bottom lip.

They both duck to hit the wall.

I catch my breath as they dive at the same time.

They slam the tiles.

I study the scoreboard, but nothing lights up.

“East?”

He gestures nonchalantly as my heart races.

Then the board lights up. I gasp. The crowd erupts.

East chuckles. “Well, fuck me.”

It’s a dead heat.

Natalia and Caro hit the wall at the exact same time.

That doesn’t happen often.

We both shake our heads in amazement. “At least she’s through to her final.”

East slumps. “Thank fuck for that.”

“Your turn, big man. Think you can smash this out?”

“Hell, yeah! I got this in the bag. I’m the up-and-coming Australian backstroker of the year.”

I furrow my brows and purse my lips. “Hmm… didn’t get the memo.”

“Well, wait and see, lady.”

Chuckling, I slap his shoulder. “Go get ’em!”

He walks off to prepare as Caro comes in. I beam as I hop on the spot, waiting for her. A slight twinge rolls down my arm, but I ignore it. She jumps on me and squeals as we embrace. “I got this!”

“Don’t jinx it!” I berate.

“Shit! Yeah, okay… but I do, though, right?”

“Yeah, girl, you got this!” I lean in, embracing her.

“100m back, please line up.”

Caro quickly releases me and races over to East, whispering something into his ear. I furrow my brows as he chuckles and winks at her. He licks his lips as he starts walking out into the centre, and Caro struts back over to me.

“So?”

“So what?”

“So, what did you say to East?”

She grins. “I said if you like wet pools, be a good boy, and you might find something else wet.”

I almost choke. “You did not!”

She giggles. “No, I didn’t, but that would have been good, right?”

I slump. “Jesus, Caro, you nearly killed me.”

“I said good luck. If he wins, he might get something special after.”

“That’s almost as slutty, Caro.”

“I meant like a chocolate, you horny bitch.”

I scoff. “Yeah, no, you didn’t.”

“Yeah, no, I didn’t.”

I chuckle and roll my eyes at my best friend. She’s always so confident with guys. I’m more reserved around them. But with Coby, I find that I’m more comfortable being myself.

Tuck walks in. “Hey, girls. Congratulations, Caro, good race. And Lacy, you’re going to Melbourne. I knew you’d do it. But what is this about your shoulder?”

Caro glances at me sideways. “Lacy, he needs to know—”

“Caro!”

“Coach, just before their swim, Katie Reynolds shoved Lace into the metal chairs, hurting her shoulder.”

I glare at Caro. She purses her lips and tilts her head. She isn’t sorry for talking at all .

Tuck raises his eyebrows. “Lacy, is that what happened?”

I slump. “Yes.”

“Okay, let me sort this. Lacy, get changed and get yourself to the physio… pronto. I don’t care if it doesn’t hurt at all. Any twinge needs taking care of. Caro, thanks for telling me. You two are like the daughters I never had, and to hear bullying is going on…” He shakes his head. “That behaviour is totally unacceptable. I won’t tolerate it, Lacy.”

“Thanks, Tuck.” I embrace him.

He pulls me back, staring into my eyes. “Sorry, I’ve not been around as much. There’s a lot going on behind the scenes. But once I know more, I will fill you in. I’m always with you one hundred per cent.”

“Thanks, Tuck.” Caro leans in for a group hug.

“Right… go get changed, both of you. I don’t want you catching the sniffles.”

“Yes, Dad,” we tease.

“Girls, if you’re trying to insult me, it’s not working. Hearing that word only fills my heart with joy.”

My chest aches, and my eyes water as I cuddle him. “You’re more of a father to me than my real dad anyway, Tuck.”

“Thanks, Lacy.” He kisses my head. “Now change before I ground you!”

“Yes, sir.” We both salute while giggling before we let go and rush off toward the change rooms. On the way, we check out the television screen. East has gotten through the semi to the final.

We’re all achieving our dreams at these trails.

***

I sit in the stands with Coby, waiting for East’s final. He’s up against a great two-time Olympic champion and another up-and-comer, so there’s three potential players for a two-position place. It’s going to be tight. Caro’s on after East, so she’s in the marshalling area with him while we wait nervously. We so desperately want our two besties to come to the Olympics with us. It wouldn’t be the same without them.

East is in lane four. Coby holds my hand. I smile as I interlace our fingers. They announce East. He waves to the crowd. I giggle as I lean on Coby’s shoulder.

East steps up to the starting block and dives into the water. My stomach flutters for him. I can’t imagine going to Melbourne without him, to be honest. We’re quite the little foursome now.

“Take your mark.”

He pulls up into his starting position. I tense up in Coby’s grip. As there are three players in this race and only two spots, my nerves can’t handle the pressure.

“He’s got this, Butterfly,” Coby reassures me.

“I sure hope so. I don’t want our foursome broken up.”

He nuzzles my forehead. “Me neither, Lace, me neither.”

The starting signal sounds.

East leaps off the wall and down into the depths. I’m breathless as he waves under the water. He’s flawless as he raises to the surface, his arms flowing in a windmill effect as they cascade through the water. He’s speeding like never before. But the other two contenders are right up there with him.

My body is fidgeting with nerves as they hit the wall—the Olympic champion in first, East in second, then the other up-and-comer. But they’re all within milliseconds of each other. This could be anyone’s race. He pushes harder as he edges out slightly, but the up-and-comer surges and overtakes everyone. The up-and-comer is definitely coming first. It’s just a matter of the Olympic champion and East for the second and final spot. I grip Coby and bounce in my seat as we both cheer him on.

“C’mon East, lift, lift,” I grit. It’s so close I can hardly tell. The times are well ahead of the FINA qualifiers, so there are no worries about that. If East doesn’t hit in second, he doesn’t get a ticket and is out. He needs to push.

“Light the match, East,” I murmur.

Coby smiles at me.

“C’mon East, you can do this,” he cheers.

We’re on the edge of our seats as they approach the wall. The up-and-comer hits in first. Moments later, East and the Olympic champion both hit the wall.

Coby and I leap from our seats with a gasp.

I spring to my feet as the board lights up.

Second place… Easton Summers.

“Yes!” we both call.

Coby turns to me. I pounce, embracing him tightly as his lips meet mine in celebration. That tingle shoots straight through me, igniting a new fire.

This is all so new to me. Sure, I’ve kissed guys before. Hell, I’m not even a virgin. Yet this level of intensity and connection is incredible, especially in such a short amount of time. Coby is something new and exciting. He makes everything that’s wrong in my life right again.

Pulling back from him, I lick my lips and smile. I glance down to see East pretending to hump a pole. I burst out laughing, making Coby turn. An official races over, grabbing East and pulling him away from the pole. East throws his hands in the air in victory, all while the crowd howls and cheers.

I shake my head. “Oh my God, he needs to reign that shit in if he’s going to represent Australia.”

Coby smirks. “He’s an uncontrollable child.”

We chuckle as the next lineup comes out, which includes Caro. I take a deep breath. Caro has to make it through. Then, our awesome foursome will be complete.

“C’mon, Caro.”

“She’s got this,” Coby assures me, taking my trembling hand. If I thought I was nervous for East, double that for Caro. She takes up her starting position while my insides quiver as my breath quickens.

“I hope so.”

“Take your mark.”

Caro bends down and gets ready to race. The starting signal goes off, and she catapults into the water. I jump in my seat, I’m so on edge. She moves effortlessly through the pool, bobbing up and down, bringing her arms to her breast and then out again, stroking evenly and purposefully. The top four fly out in front, including Caro, leaving the others behind. But again, there are only two positions available.

They duck, hitting the wall. Caro and Madeline are in first and second. The other two are very close behind them. I hate the edginess as they travel back for the final fifty. They’re headed back toward the wall. Another girl in front. Then it’s Caro and Madeline. It’s tight. Too tight. My body can’t handle the pressure, so I stand. My heart races a million miles a second as a bead of sweat rolls down my temple. Coby stands, wrapping his arm around me while I chew my nail.

“C’mon, Caro… lift, girl, lift,” I murmur. It’s so close between Caro and Madeline that I can barely breathe. It will all come down to the wall.

The other girl hits first. Caro and Madeline stroke in at the same time. I wince. Coby tightens his grip as I turn dramatically and stare at the scoreboard. But only the first position is displayed. The second and third aren’t coming up yet. I tap my foot impatiently on the concrete step as my heart races. The little digits tick over and then show up.

Caroline Hughes 1:06:07

Madeline Freeling 1:06:08.

I shriek as I jump on the spot.

Coby laughs as tears well in my eyes.

Caro beat her by one millisecond .

I lean into Coby and hug him so tightly he cannot breathe. He chuckles, rocking me back and forth as I cry happily into his chest.

“Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God!” I giggle.

“She did it, Lace. We all got through. The awesome foursome is going to the Olympics!”

I sniff, wiping my cheeks. “I can’t believe it. That was too close.”

He wipes my tears away with his thumbs. “It’s going to work out just fine,” he whispers.

“Yeah,” I whisper back, then lean forward and press my lips to his again. My insides tingle. The sparks fizzle and pop. Every inch of me fires as my tongue dances with Coby’s.

This adventure we’re about to embark on together is going to be exhilarating.