Page 38 of In Too Deep

We head out of the hall toward the exit, and as we do, we see East and Coby standing with Phil Mathers. I grit my teeth as a shudder runs down my spine. Caro waves hesitantly at the boys, and I grab her hand and pull her with me as I storm toward the exit.

Caro huffs and shakes her head. “Do we have to leave without at least saying goodbye to them?” Caro asks.

“Yes, they’re traitors, Caro. We don’t need that kind of negativity in our lives.” Pain promptly sweeps through my chest as I imagine not seeing Coby again until Melbourne. Then the idea of seeing him at the Olympics terrifies me. I have no idea how I will handle that.

“But East’s so good in bed.”

“Caro!”

She smirks. “Okay, I’m being serious. Let’s get you home.” She links her arm with mine, and we head for her car.

The one that smells like Mrs. Montgomery’s cat’s pee.

***

Caro wanted to stay up for trashy movies, but it’s already ten-thirty, and I’m completely wiped. I just want to go to bed, so I traipse into my room, closing the door behind me. But what I didn’t expect to see was the bed all messed up from this morning. Reminding me completely of Coby. My chest tightens. Betrayal washes over me.

I pull off my pants and head over to the bed, crawling in and pulling the sheets over me. The pillow still smells likehim, and my insides quiver. Yet, I was wrong about him.

My door creeps open, and Caro slides in. She doesn’t say anything, just walks over to my bed, climbs over the top, and cuddles in behind me, practically spooning me. Taking a deep breath, I cuddle back into her needing the affection. I didn’t understand how much Coby had gotten under my skin until now.

“It’s going to be okay. Tuck’s still our coach,” Caro murmurs behind me.

“Yeah, but Coby defended his dad without knowing the truth.”

She huffs. “Maybe before storming off, you should’ve told him about what Katie did to you, and that’s why Tuck reported her.”

“Maybe Coby should have asked what it was Tuck reported Katie for. Before he jumped to conclusions that Tuck was crooked.”

Caro sighs and holds me tighter. “Lacy. Phil is his dad. He’s going to trust him.”

Sighing, I slump. “I should’ve told him. But his reluctance to believe Tuck did my head in. I can’t believe he acted like that so quickly. He’s not who I thought he was.”

“Don’t let it get you down. We made the fucking Olympic team, baby. This is what dreams are made of.”

Half smiling, I reply, “Yeah, you’re right. We made the team…finally, and we’re doing it together.”

“Hell, yeah!”

“Now I just have to prepare myself to see Coby again in four months.”

She cuddles me tighter again. “This will blow over. By then, you won’t even remember his name.”

***

It’s been a week, and I still remember his damn name, his caress, his smell, and everything about him, including the hurt and betrayal. That fuels me as I push through the water. Stroke by stroke, my shoulder is still niggling, but it’s recovering thanks to my physio.

Today, they announce the leaders of the Australian Athletics Program, revealing the athletes’ uniforms. I’m obviously not chosen. Otherwise, I would have been contacted by now. As I make my final stroke and hit the wall, I come up for air and pant. I wasn’t pushing it, just letting off steam.

Hopping out of the pool, I wrap a towel around myself and head back indoors to the smell of eggs wafting through the kitchen as I make my way inside.

“I’m making egg white omelettes for breakfast. You’re cutting it fine. They’re about to announce the leaders,” Caro calls. I walk over to the television and turn up the volume. I spot the Sydney Opera House in the background and a podium where the athletes will display the Olympic uniforms. Caro jumps over the back of the seat and plonks down on the cushions. I give her a broad smile as she bumps into my side.

“Your arse is gonna wet the lounge,” she murmurs.

“Your arse is gonna break it,” I murmur back, and she laughs, tilting her head.

“Bitch.”

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