Page 26 of In Too Deep

“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 theFINAqualifiers, 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.

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