Page 40 of Plunge (Alpha Athletes 1)
My entire life might be different this morning, but the rituals weren’t.
I stood, reaching my arms overhead, and walked out of the locker room.
The crowd erupted in a chant: “Crews, Crews, Crews.”
I tried not to look at how many people had been packed into the aquatics center. My eyes darted to the one reserved seat I had in the entire building.
Ava smiled.
If she was here, the rest was all just noise. I didn’t need the cheers or chants. I didn’t need the TV cameras. I needed her. And our baby.
Jim walked up to me. “You’ve got this, Blaine.”
“Thanks.”
It was my gold to lose.
I adjusted my swim cap and goggles. The fans went crazy when we took our places on the blocks. I was in lane two.
I gripped the block and rocked back and forth to loosen my hamstrings. I took a deep breath.
The freestyle was mine. The gold was mine.
The buzzer sounded and I dove into the water, plunging beneath the surface with a solid start. The swimmer on my right was Swiss and the guy on my left was American. I had competed against both of them in world finals six months ago.
I kicked, propelling myself faster as I took quick breaths. I saw the wall and twisted into the turn I practiced yesterday. It was fucking flawless. I surfaced again, gaining at least a full body length on the Swiss guy.
I knew better than to look beside me. The drag would only slow me down. I focused on the wall, on my breath, on pushing the water out of my way.
I shoved off the wall again. There was only one turn left before the final lap.
It was close and I anticipated the turn, ducking with a swift motion.
I pulled hard, forcing my body to move faster than it had before. I had to do this. Ava was watching.
I reached, stretching my fingertips long, and hit the wall.
I hung on the rope and looked up at the scoreboard. The times scrolled across the marquee.
Jim clapped and shouted. “Gold!”
I threw my arm in the air, pumping my fist. Ava laughed and waved from the crowd.
I had everything. A fucking incredible woman. A woman who was giving me a family.
And I had just won gold.
It was only the beginning.
Get ready for Keeper (Book 2) in the Alpha Athletes series. Available Now!
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