Page 53 of In Too Deep

“What?” I ask.

Coby shrugs. “I doubt they’d do anything, but this is the Olympics. It tends to make peoplecompetitive.”

Caro gasps and shakes her head. “Shit! I drank some.”

East wraps his arm around her shoulders. “It’s just a precaution. I doubt it’s even anything to think about, babe.”

She cuddles East as I turn to Coby.

The American swimmers come over—I can tell from their uniforms.

“Hey, Heath. Heath, this is Lacy and Caro, and you know East. Guys, this is Heath Carson from the States. He’s competing in the 100m Fly and 200m Free.”

“Hey, Heath, pleased to meet you. You’re racing tomorrow, then?” I ask.

He lifts his shoulders. “Yeah, got my first heat in the morning.”

“What do you think of Australia?” Caro asks.

“People are great. The food’s a little different, but it’s great to actually be here, even though I miss Kings Crescent a fair bit.”

“That’s where you’re from?” I ask.

“Yeah, back home in California.”

“I’d love to go to America,” I admit.

“It’s a cool place. You guys should come for a holiday. Fable would love to meet some of my peers.”

“Fable?” Caro asks.

“My girl.”

“Odd name.” Caro chuckles.

“It’s a long story, but the name suits her. I couldn’t imagine her any other way.”

I can see the adoration pouring from his eyes as he talks about Fable and I hope I get to meet her one day. “You love her.”

He smiles for the first time. “Yeah… I do.”

“Well, how ’bout us Aussies show you Yanks how to party?” East asks, and everyone opens their eyes wide in shock.

“We all have to swim tomorrow, East,” Caro berates.

“I’m not talking about drinking. I’m talking about tag team table tennis. You game, Yankee boys?”

I crack up laughing as Caro and Coby shake their heads.

“Is that such a thing?” Heath asks.

“It is now, c’mon, let’s go,” East demands and starts walking off to the ping pong tables.

It’s going to be an interesting night.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

It’s nice to finally have Caro in the marshalling area with me just before a race. Coby isn’t here, but East is, and for the lack of affection I get from Coby, East makes up for in humour. Caro is going to race her heat first, then East will have his heat, and then I’ll be up for my final. We’re all sitting together, just chatting, as I hear Caro’s name over the loudspeaker announcing her name for her heat.

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