Page 9

The last two days have shot past so quickly, and our awesome foursome has formed a formidable friendship. We’re inseparable. The guys have stayed with us the whole time, and it’s been nice spending quality time with Coby. My body is sore, and not from swimming, if you catch my drift. It’s nice to have a connection with someone so strong and sturdy. But today is the last day of the trials. Coby will be heading back home, so we won’t be seeing each other all the time. We’ve promised to keep in contact every day, and to make time for each other at least once a week through our busy training schedules.

We’re not going to let this slide.

We’re in too deep.

The morning is filled with functions, speeches, and athlete selection. It’s about half an hour before the finals of the night and the ceremony. Everyone’s in a cheerful mood as we sit in the marshalling area. It’s good to all finally be here at the same time.

Tuck comes into the room with two officials escorting him. Caro and I stand up as he approaches with a stern expression. His brows crease, and he is sporting a frown the size of Tasmania.

“Tuck? What’s going on?”

He stops in front of us and huffs. “Girls, I’m under investigation. While that’s happening, I have to step down as coach. I have a hearing to go to right now, so I’m going to miss the ceremony.”

My stomach knots as I breathlessly take in his words.

“Huh? Investigation for what?” Caro asks.

“It’s complicated. I put in that complaint. Coach Mathers disputes it. He claims I’m only doing it so that Katie will be disqualified, and Melissa can take her place in the 200m fly lineup.”

“What! That’s crazy,” I yell. People stare at us.

“Don’t worry, there’s more to this drama. Mathers has it out for me. He won’t stop till I’m gone.”

Furrowing my brows, I turn to Coby. It suddenly clicks. “Mathers, as in Coby’s dad?”

He nods. I gasp.

“I’ll go see what the deal is.” Coby races off.

Tuck slumps. “Don’t worry, girls, I’m gonna sort this out.”

“Your hearing is about to start, Coach Tucker. We need to go,” the official tells Tuck. He acknowledges and hugs us both.

I hold onto him tightly as I cry. “Is it going to be okay, Tuck?”

He plants a kiss on both our heads. “I’ll make sure of it. I won’t let you down. I gotta go. Good luck and have fun. Don’t worry about me.” He walks off with the two bodyguards, and I turn to Caro, who’s shaking her head.

“He’s like my father. What the fuck am I going to do without him?” I cry.

She reaches out, grabbing and pulling me to her in an embrace. “Don’t worry, I’m sure he’ll fix it.”

East slumps and sighs. “Phil Mathers is driven. If he wants something, he usually gets it. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, girls, but Tuck might actually be in trouble.”

I hug Caro as Coby rushes back and slumps into the seat next to East.

He slowly turns to us and winces. “So they want to remove Tuck’s coaching license for frauding the system. They’re saying he’s trying to falsify information to have Katie disqualified so Melissa can take her place in Melbourne.”

“Right, and who’s saying his information is false? Your dad?” I demand.

Coby tilts his head. “Well, yeah.”

I scoff, letting go of Caro and folding my arms. “And you believe him?”

He furrows his brows, sitting up a bit taller in his chair. “He is my dad. Tuck may be your coach, but they do anything for their athletes. Even cheating. Why would Tuck be any different?”

I groan. “You don’t know him. You don’t understand the situation. How can you be so goddamned judgmental?”

He slumps. “Lacy… c’mon.”

“No, you c’mon! Tuck is like my father. He’s a good, decent man, unlike yours. You take the word of your father over mine, that’s fine. Honestly, I hardly know you, but this thing we had, whatever it was… is done!” I scream. My blood boils.

“Lacy!” Coby booms, standing up and reaching out.

I back away. “No, don’t talk to me.” Sniffling, I storm away to the other side of the room. I practically run, heaving as I process what’s just happened.

I’ve just lost my father figure, my coach, and my boyfriend in mere minutes.

I pace the floor and reign in my breathing. A hand on my shoulder startles me, and I turn to Caro. Hot tears fill my eyes. Trying my hardest to fight them back, I sniff.

She sighs. “I thought he was nice. I figured he was someone I could grow to lean on. I was so wrong.”

Caro pats my arm and wipes the stray tear that I couldn’t help but let fall down my cheek. “Hey, tensions are high. Let’s just get through this ceremony with fake smiles, and we can figure this all out after. Okay?”

I exhale. “All right...”

“Athletes, please line up for your tickets,” an official calls.

I wipe my face as Caro smiles.

“Fake smiles.”

I take in a deep breath. “Fake smiles.”

They call the swimmers out in alphabetical order, so I take up my position in the queue as Caro heads out. I’m not far after her. When they call my name, I take a deep breath and steady my shoulders. Then I walk out into the main room, wearing my fake smile, and wave to the crowd. Strolling up to the official, I receive my enlarged plane ticket to Melbourne. I kinda wish my first Olympics were in another country like England or Brazil, but I’m happy to be going to the Olympics at all. I smile, shaking the official’s hand.

“Welcome to Melbourne, Lacy,” she chirps.

“Thank you so much,” I reply. Then I walk along to the line of previous Olympic swimmers and the families of the athletes who will be attending. I wander along the line, high-fiving them all as I go. It should be amazing. I should be empowered and euphoric. I’m going to the Olympics for the first time, so why do I want to run and hide in a corner? Getting to the end of the line, they call the next name, and I’m soon forgotten as I amble out to the back room to greet Caro. She smiles, waving her giant ticket in the air.

“We’re going to Melbourne,” she gushes.

My smile isn’t fake this time as she jumps up and down in front of me. “Yeah, we are! Four months and we’ll be at the Olympics. But maybe without a coach…” I drift off and take a deep breath as my shoulders slump. I shake my head in utter disappointment at how the end has gone.

The start of the week was great.

The end of the week should be amazing— I’m going to the Olympics —but now my coach and a boyfriend are both slipping away from me.

This is not how this week was supposed to play out. At all.

“We should find Tuck,” I murmur.

Caro frowns but quickly bows before we avoid the celebrations in the room and head out to the hall to search for our coach. We move into the meeting room and see him sitting there all on his own, just staring out the window into the dark blue hues of the night sky.

“Tuck?” I call.

He turns to face us and frowns. “Girls, you should be at the after-party. Why aren’t you off celebrating?” He stands to walk toward us, and we tread over to him with heavy feet. My eyes fill with tears at his sombre expression.

“What’s the verdict?” I ask.

“Well, I haven’t been sacked as a coach, but the matter is still under investigation.” “There’s a celebratory function on, and you two should most definitely go. You have earned a night of fun.”

I huff. “I might head home.”

Caro catches me frowning and wraps her arm around my shoulders. “If you’re sulking at home, I’m with you, sister.”

“I don’t want to upset you girls,” Tuck murmurs.

“I think Lace is a bit upset about Coby, too. It’s a buildup, and it’s been an emotional day for her. I think we need to go home and have some girl time.”

Tuck sighs. “I’m sorry, Lacy. I’m trying my best to sort everything out for you both.”

I nod as a tear falls down my cheek.

Tuck pulls me to him for a tight hug and leans down, kissing my head. Caro rushes in behind me. We have a group hug, making me chuckle slightly.

“Okay, head home and get some rest. Training’s going to be tough over the next four months,” Tuck advises.

“Take care of yourself. If you need us, we’re only a phone call away,” I tell him.

“Thank you, sweetheart. Now go… enjoy your night.” He turns me around and pushes me forward.

Chuckling, I start striding out with Caro next to me. As I walk out the door, I turn back to Tuck one last time. He’s back on the seat, staring out at the sky again. I hope he’s okay.

We head out of the hall toward the exit, and as we do, we see East and Coby standing with Phil Mathers. I grit my teeth as a shudder runs down my spine. Caro waves hesitantly at the boys, and I grab her hand and pull her with me as I storm toward the exit.

Caro huffs and shakes her head. “Do we have to leave without at least saying goodbye to them?” Caro asks.

“Yes, they’re traitors, Caro. We don’t need that kind of negativity in our lives.” Pain promptly sweeps through my chest as I imagine not seeing Coby again until Melbourne. Then the idea of seeing him at the Olympics terrifies me. I have no idea how I will handle that.

“But East’s so good in bed.”

“Caro!”

She smirks. “Okay, I’m being serious. Let’s get you home.” She links her arm with mine, and we head for her car.

The one that smells like Mrs. Montgomery’s cat’s pee.

***

Caro wanted to stay up for trashy movies, but it’s already ten-thirty, and I’m completely wiped. I just want to go to bed, so I traipse into my room, closing the door behind me. But what I didn’t expect to see was the bed all messed up from this morning. Reminding me completely of Coby. My chest tightens. Betrayal washes over me.

I pull off my pants and head over to the bed, crawling in and pulling the sheets over me. The pillow still smells like him , and my insides quiver. Yet, I was wrong about him.

My door creeps open, and Caro slides in. She doesn’t say anything, just walks over to my bed, climbs over the top, and cuddles in behind me, practically spooning me. Taking a deep breath, I cuddle back into her needing the affection. I didn’t understand how much Coby had gotten under my skin until now.

“It’s going to be okay. Tuck’s still our coach,” Caro murmurs behind me.

“Yeah, but Coby defended his dad without knowing the truth.”

She huffs. “Maybe before storming off, you should’ve told him about what Katie did to you, and that’s why Tuck reported her.”

“Maybe Coby should have asked what it was Tuck reported Katie for. Before he jumped to conclusions that Tuck was crooked.”

Caro sighs and holds me tighter. “Lacy. Phil is his dad. He’s going to trust him.”

Sighing, I slump. “I should’ve told him. But his reluctance to believe Tuck did my head in. I can’t believe he acted like that so quickly. He’s not who I thought he was.”

“Don’t let it get you down. We made the fucking Olympic team, baby. This is what dreams are made of.”

Half smiling, I reply, “Yeah, you’re right. We made the team… finally , and we’re doing it together.”

“Hell, yeah!”

“Now I just have to prepare myself to see Coby again in four months.”

She cuddles me tighter again. “This will blow over. By then, you won’t even remember his name.”

***

It’s been a week, and I still remember his damn name, his caress, his smell, and everything about him, including the hurt and betrayal. That fuels me as I push through the water. Stroke by stroke, my shoulder is still niggling, but it’s recovering thanks to my physio.

Today, they announce the leaders of the Australian Athletics Program, revealing the athletes’ uniforms. I’m obviously not chosen. Otherwise, I would have been contacted by now. As I make my final stroke and hit the wall, I come up for air and pant. I wasn’t pushing it, just letting off steam.

Hopping out of the pool, I wrap a towel around myself and head back indoors to the smell of eggs wafting through the kitchen as I make my way inside.

“I’m making egg white omelettes for breakfast. You’re cutting it fine. They’re about to announce the leaders,” Caro calls. I walk over to the television and turn up the volume. I spot the Sydney Opera House in the background and a podium where the athletes will display the Olympic uniforms. Caro jumps over the back of the seat and plonks down on the cushions. I give her a broad smile as she bumps into my side.

“Your arse is gonna wet the lounge,” she murmurs.

“Your arse is gonna break it,” I murmur back, and she laughs, tilting her head.

“Bitch.”

“You love me.”

She screws up her face and shakes her head. “Do not. Now shush, they’re about to announce.”

They announce the runner, the equestrian, the hurdler, the rower, the gymnast, and the hockey player. They all wear different versions of pretty cool uniforms.

“And the swimmer of the team… Coby Mathers,” the announcer calls.

My heart leaps into my throat as he steps onto the podium.

He’s wearing a yellow tracksuit jacket and green shorts that fit him perfectly. The air leaves my lungs—I forgot just how gorgeous he actually is.

Caro rests her hand on my knee and squeezes as I tune out everything they’re saying and just stare at him . I didn’t quite comprehend the impact he had made on me in such a short amount of time, but now … I miss him.

A giant echidna comes up on the screen.

“Can’t they come up with something more original than bloody Australian animals for the mascots?” I huff.

Caro chews her bottom lip. “You should phone him. He probably misses you, too.”

“Who? The echidna?” I try to avoid the damn topic I know she won’t let go of.

“Don’t play dumb, Lace.”

Shaking my head, I exhale. “The damage is done, so there’s nothing more to say, right?”

“You should tell him!”

“There’s no point. Anyway, he’s probably moved on with Katie or someone equally as vulgar.”

Caro scoffs. “I doubt that.”

Standing, I start walking toward the kitchen. “Let’s have breakfast.”

Caro stands and frowns. “Sure.” She hesitates, glancing back at the television and then at me.

She almost speaks but doesn’t and walks into the kitchen with me for our breakfast.

***

Two weeks post Coby, and I’m down in the dumps.

Tuck has been pushing us hard.

The distraction is good while training, but being here at the unit is only a reminder of the fun Coby and I shared while we were… together ?

Caro has been on her phone a lot more lately. Even tonight, she’s been texting someone endlessly. I know who, but thinking about that leads me back to Coby. Then, the cycle of depression repeats. So I try not to think of anything related to swimming trials.

Caro and I are having a girls’ night. We’re on the lounge watching chick flicks, eating popcorn—the healthy type—and vegging. The muted hum of a car engine pulling up outside doesn’t alarm me, but does make me glance up. Cars come and go from the unit complex all the time, but it’s nine at night, and it’s a little unusual. Suddenly, there’s a knock on our front door, and I tense up as Caro smiles brightly.

“What the fuck?” I murmur.

Caro jumps up excitedly, spilling some popcorn.

“Caro?” I state as she reaches the door and then turns to face me.

“Don’t hate me. Just ’cause you and Coby are out of action doesn’t mean I need to continue to be, right?” she asks, and I furrow my brows.

“What?”

She grins, chewing on her bottom lip and opens the door. Furrowing my brows, I tilt my head back to see what she’s talking about when East steps through the door holding a six-pack of beer. “Cheers bitches.”

“Hey, Stud,” Caro purrs.

I’m instantly bombarded with memories of Coby.

“Hey, hot stuff, and Caro,” East drawls, smirking at me, then slapping Caro’s arse.

I can’t help but chuckle as Caro slaps his chest and he grins at me in greeting.

“Hey East, long time no see. You drive all the way down here just to see Caro?” I ask.

He mock frowns and comes in, closing the door. “Oh, hey now, I came for you, too. But mainly Caro and her sweet—” Caro slaps his face softly, stopping him mid-sentence, and he chuckles. “How you holding up?” he asks, walking in and placing the beer on the kitchen counter.

With a quick shrug, I answer, “I’m okay.”

He purses his lips. “Really? ’Cause no offence, but you look like shit.”

“Shut up, arse stain,” Caro hollers as they both come over to the lounge.

“Sooo… I’m just going to say it—”

“Please don’t,” I interrupt him.

“He misses you,” East shoots back.

The hot tears well in my eyes, and I take a deep breath.

I didn’t need to hear that.

It just makes it that much harder.

“I’m going to bed. Please don’t keep me awake all night with your moaning.”

They chuckle as Caro slides into his lap. “No promises.”

I fake a smile, stand and walk to my room. Moving inside, I close the door and lean against it, sighing hard. I hear Caro and East chuckling in the lounge room, and I stroll over to my bed and pick up my pyjamas, slowly putting them on. My eyes well with tears. Just two weeks ago, he was in here with me, taking my clothes off and exciting me. And now? Now I’m here all alone, completely miserable.

I miss him.

I only spent a small amount of time with Coby, but the time I spent with him was the best of my life. I wish I could have that back. But he doesn’t understand the situation, and I don’t understand how he can back his dad before hearing the full story.

Crawling into bed, I cuddle into myself and snuggle into my pillow. His smell is practically gone now. My stomach knots, listening to East and Caro giggle in the other room.

It was good to see East, but he’s a reminder of something I don’t have, something I so desperately want and is just out of reach.

Four Months Later

East has been visiting Caro weekly, and they’re becoming close. It’s nice to watch, but seeing him only makes me think of Coby, and thinking of Coby still hurts. East often talks about how Coby misses me and wants to see me, but I always say no. The damage is done, and it’s been too long now to fix anything.

It’s three days before the start of the Olympics, and the Adelaide swim team is flying out to Melbourne for a meeting. All of Caro’s family are coming and are on the plane with us, which is great. It’s nice to have family there as a support, even if they’re not my blood family. We made the decision not to go earlier and train there, as the weather in Adelaide is very similar to Melbourne in all aspects, so no acclimatisation will be required. Tuck wants everything to be as normal as possible, and being in our familiar surroundings was easier on us as well.

I would have thought I proved my real family wrong. If I had actually made the Olympic team, they would have supported me. But I received a text message from my sister, Stacy, congratulating me. She claimed Mum and Dad witnessed the swimming trials and that they were happy for me.

That was it.

Nothing from Mum or Dad.

So I didn’t bother messaging them.

It’s bullshit.

But the Hughes are way more family to me now than my blood family, anyway.

Trinny and Harry are in the seats in front of Caro and me. Caro’s brothers Logan and Joshua sit to our left. Ryan sits in front next to a businessman. It’s so good to be all together.

“This is so exciting. I love planes,” Caro chirps beside me.

I face her and sigh. “I hate them. I always get a little anxious.”

“Is that why you’re quiet?” she asks. “Or because in a few hours, you’ll be seeing… you-know-who?”

Tensing up and rolling my neck, I exhale. “Probably both.”

Caro’s eyes suddenly dart past me, and she pulls her bottom lip in with her teeth. I furrow my brows at her reaction, so I turn to see East and Coby walking down the aisle of the plane.

Coby hasn’t changed at all. His hair’s still slightly floppy on top, his broad shoulders showing off his perfectly sculptured body. A shiver runs down my spine and I break out into goose bumps as our eyes meet. A surge flows through me, igniting a fire inside my core and forming an ache that’s a direct result of his proximity. Coby smiles but continues to walk down the plane and away from me. A hot wave washes over me. I take a deep breath as Caro giggles, bumping into my shoulder.

“He still wants you.”

“No, he doesn’t!”

“Yes, he does!”

I huff. “This conversation is pointless.”

“You’re going to have to talk to him sooner or later. The swimming goes for eight days. The closing ceremony is eight days after that. So that’s a total of sixteen days being around… Coby .”

“I can be around him. Doesn’t mean I have to like it,” I murmur.

“You’re going to like it. I’m sure you’re going to love it.”

“Cabin crew, prepare for takeoff,” the pilot booms over the speakers, and I death-grip the handrest.

“This is going to be one long flight.”

Caro tilts her head. “It’s like an hour and a half…”

“You know what I mean!”