Page 15 of In Too Deep

“Sorry… wasn’t me. I swear,” Coby replies sheepishly.

I smile and shake my head. “No, it’s okay. I understand. Let’s get some tacos.”

He chuckles. “AKA a garden salad.”

“Yay!” I mock cheer.

He chuckles, linking his arm with mine. His warm skin sends shivers down my spine as we walk to the athletes’ cafeteria area.

***

It’s eight p.m., and Coby and I are back in the marshalling area, ready for my semi and his final. If Coby makes it in the top two, he has his ticket to the Olympics. If I make it in the top two of my semi, I go through for the final, which is tomorrow night. It’s been great spending the day with Coby and East. Coby is the more serious of the two boys, but he still has a joke and laughs at everything. In contrast, East makes fun of everything. He’s a fun guy to be around—Caro, and he are the same person. It’s scary.

Coby and I are sitting in the marshalling area chatting when Katie walks in. She glances over at us and huffs, storming over to the other side of the room. I can’t help but think there’s a story between her and Coby. It can’t just be a simple crush on her end.

“Cobes… can I ask you something personal?”

“Yeah, shoot.”

Chewing my bottom lip, I turn from Katie back to Coby. “Is there a history between you and Katie Reynolds?”

He slumps. “I stayed in Victoria on scholarship for a while, but it didn’t work out. I knew Katie when we swam at Nunawading together. We had a very brief fling, like three days, before I found out she was plenty psycho. I broke it off and steered clear of her.”

Now it makes sense as to why Katie was talking about Coby.

“She was bragging about how you’d only be around me because you were sorry for me—”

“Bullshit! I like you for you, Lace. Don’t listen to anything coming out of that girl’s mouth.”

I take a deep breath and bob my head. Coby leans in, embracing me tightly, and it gives me the security I’ve been craving. I’ve known him for only a day, and yet he’s my new home.

“Now kick arse… especially hers. Use this pent-up anger to push harder, till your lungs collapse.”

Smiling, I move my head in agreement. “Till my lungs collapse…”

“100 Fly, please get ready,” the marshal calls.

Smiling at Coby, I stand. He leans in and smacks my arse. I giggle, shaking my head.

“I’ll admit… it was me that time. I can’t let East have all the fun now, can I?”

“Devil spawn,” I tease.

“Good luck, butterfly.”

“Thanks.” I walk over to the lineup. Katie’s in front of me this time. I have half a mind to trip her up, but I’m better than that. We walk out and take our places on the seats behind the pool. Removing my shirt, I slap my biceps and roll my shoulders, helping the blood flow through my muscles. Cracking my neck from side to side, I repeat my motto over and over until they call my name. Waving to the crowd, I step forward, mentally preparing myself.

The buzzer goes off.

I step up to the starting block.

“Take your mark.”

I bend down as my stomach flips. Even though I’m nervous, I’m stronger than I’ve been in the past.

The starting signal fires.

I spring from the starting block.

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