Page 69 of In Too Deep

My feet don’t fail me.

I hit the ground running.

I storm up to Marta and shove her.

She tumbles backward into the bench.

“Are you happy now?” I scream in her face.

She smirks. “Blissfully… my silver has been upgraded to gold. Why wouldn’t I be happy? I’m just sad you’re not a drug cheat like your friend.”

My blood boils. “You pompous bitch!” I lunge forward, but Coby grabs me around my waist, holding me back as my hands and legs flail about, trying to get to Marta at all costs. I’m moaning and groaning as I kick and thrash, attempting to do as much damage as possible, but Coby has me tight as she snickers and walks away.

“Lacy…stop!” Coby demands, dropping and turning me to face him.

My breaths are coming firm and rapid from my nose as I try to calm down. I gaze into his eyes, and he furrows his brows. “You can’t attack her. She’s looking for a way to remove you from the relay team. Don’t let her win…again. Please, stop and think.”

Taking a deep breath and deflate. “You’re right. God! She’s so… so damn aggravating.”

“Try not to let her get to you. Now, how about we get out of here for a while? Maybe go to the Olympic Stadium and watch something else? Get our minds off swimming till Friday?”

“Sounds good to me. What about East?”

“Yeah, let’s go find him.”

Four Days Later

The three of us have spent the last few days checking out the sights and having as much fun as we can with such a big, dark cloud hanging over us. I’ve checked in with Caro every day, and she’s miserable but getting there.

The investigation into Marta proved nothing.

There was no evidence anywhere linking her to the drug scandal, even though all four swimmers connected weren’t known to each other but had the exact same drug in their system. Which points to them taking it at the same time, but again, nothing could be proven. I just wish I’d thought about keeping one of those cups, but then again, what good would that have done?

It’s my word against hers?

And so far, she’s untouchable.

The only saving grace is that word has spread throughout the swim team about Marta, and everyone thinks she should be investigated. But no one will touch her. It’s like she is invincible. I’m sure Karma exists somewhere, but it sure is lacking right here, right now.

It’s the day of the relays, and I’m on the team with Katie, Hayley, and Laura. We’re all on tenterhooks, not comprehending what Marta has in store for us today. I shared my thoughts with Katie about Marta, the false start incident, and the poor Chinese girl who fell prey to her as well. She thinks Marta is perfectly capable of doing it and that I didn’t imagine it at all. So we’re worried that she might pull the same trick again today, especially because she and I will be on the starting blocks together.

As we line up for the walk out, I turn to Katie. “Just watch your back out there, okay? Who knows what she has planned for us,” I whisper.

She exhales. “It’s pretty shit that we have to watch ourselves. I’m sure it’s not supposed to be like this. It wasn’t at the last Games I was at. Everyone supported each other. Marta is in a class of her own. I’ll never understand what she gains from cheating her way to victory.”

As we walk out, we all wave and smile at the cheering crowd. I’m despondent and lonely because the Hughes aren’t here to support me. But I know they’re watching at home.

The announcements start, and I roll my shoulders and slap my biceps, releasing the blood flow through my muscles. I need to be on my A-game for this race.

“Australia,” they announce.

I step forward, holding Katie’s hand, and we throw them up in the air as a team. The home crowd cheers and erupts in applause. I have to admit that having a home Olympics as your first one is pretty special. Having the home crowd advantage is proving to be something amazing.

The buzzer sounds, and Laura moves up to the starting block. My nerves aren’t as bad as they were for my gold medal race, but they’re definitely there. This is more of a team effort—we all need to work toward this goal.We can do it.The buzzer sounds, and Laura drops into the pool to get ready for her backstroke.

“Take your mark.”

Laura positions herself on the wall, crouching up into it and the starting signal fires. She leaps from the wall backward into the clear water. Katie grabs my hand and we jump up and down in excitement as she takes off into the lane perfectly. She’s out in front, right alongside the English swimmer. There’s not much space between them. This is going to be a tight race. Hayley steps up to the starting block, ready to take her place and jump in when Laura hits the wall.

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