Page 64 of In Too Deep

My stomach flips as they kiss each other, and I spot an official walking over.

“Official, guys,” I whisper.

Caro pulls her lips from East and jumps down from him but gazes at him like he’s the best thing in her world.

The official walks over.I’m gathering that he didn’t witness the kiss between East and Caro, as he doesn’t mention it.“Miss Hughes, can we have your sample, please?”

“Sure.” She takes the container and skips off toward the bathroom.

“Did you hear that? She loves me,” East whispers after she’s out of hearing distance. “This is better than the silver medal, I swear.”

I shuffle forward and hug him tightly. He wraps his arms around me and swirls me from side to side, making me laugh.

“I’m so happy for you guys.”

He pulls me back and turns from me to Coby. “You two need to sort your shit out, so you can be as happy as Caro and me. Think of all the time you two wasted being apart. You could be where we are now. Don’t let each other slip through the cracks again,” East states categorically, and I smile.

“How romantic of you, East.”

He frowns. “I’m serious. You two are perfect for each other. Wake up and see that, will you?” He pats my shoulder before walking away, leaving me with Coby.

I take a deep breath. “Once the Games are over, we can figure out where we stand. Okay?” I ask, and he nods.

“I’d like that. I need you in my life, Lacy.”

Smiling, I reach out and take his hand. We head for the athletes’ area to find a spot for us to sit and relax and celebrate.

***

The finals are over.

We’re relaxing in the athletes’ area when two officials approach our table.

“Miss Hughes, can we talk to you, please?” one of them asks.

We all sit up a little straighter as Caro furrows her eyebrows. “Um… sure. Is there a problem?”

“There is an issue, yes. Please come with us to discuss with the Board.”

The hairs on the back of my neck stand up, and my muscles clench. “What’s going on?” I ask, standing up.

“We will discuss that with Miss Hughes. If you will, please?” He waves his hand for Caro to walk, so she stands up, looking at East, who gives a slight dip of the chin, encouraging her as she walks off with them.

I glance at Coby, who shakes his head, as East runs his hands over his short-haired scalp.

“This is bad. If the Board is involved, it’s something to do with the medal,” East informs me.

“Jesus Christ,” I murmur.

We all move toward the boardroom. We want to be there when Caro comes out to support her, and we want to know what’s going on. We all pace frantically in silence, not understanding what the hell this is about but knowing it’s not good.

“What the fuck is taking so long?” I blurt out.

“Lace, I’m sure whatever it is, it’s being sorted correctly,” Coby tries to reassure me.

The doors finally swing open, and Tuck steps out, holding an inconsolable Caro while she sobs uncontrollably.

“Shit!” I say, racing over to her. “What’s going on, Tuck?” I pull Caro into my arms, and she sobs into my neck as her body flops onto me like jelly.

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