Page 42 of In Too Deep

We arrive at the services area lounge, and pretty much everyone from the Australian swim team is here. I catch East and Coby off in the corner and take a deep breath. Caro wraps her arm around mine, and we stand with the mass of swimmers. Then, we turn to the front, where Kyle Watley is standing, waiting to talk.

“If I can have your attention, Australian swimming team,” he begins.

The chatter dies down.

“I’d like to officially welcome the thirty-four Australian swimmers to the Melbourne Olympic Games. Remember, you’re representing your country,inyour country, so keep things professional at all times. Now for the announcement of the swim team’s Head Coach. There’s been some drama around this, but we’ve gotten to the bottom of it all, and we believe we have the right man for the position. Everyone welcome your team’s Head Coach, Don Tucker.”

I gasp along with Caro as we both watch Tuck walk out in front of everyone. My heart races while a smile spreads across my face, and I glance at Caro with raised brows. She blinks twice in apparent shock.

“What the hell?” I whisper to no one in particular.

He takes up the front position and acknowledges the swimmers with a subtle gesture. Then he turns to us and winks. “It’s an honour and a privilege to be your advisor, your strength, your coach. What an amazing team of swimmers we have for Melbourne this year. I’m here for each and every one of you. My team is my family, and we must stick together. My sub-coaches are Trevor Packer, Lauren Schipper, and Skipp Malone. We will bring you to your best and help to boost the medal tally for Australia. Do your best. Each stroke your finest. Swim like you’ve never swum before. Do yourselves proud. Do Australia proud. Because theywillbe watching.”

Furrowing my brows, I face Caro and shake my head slightly. “Phil Mathers isn’t a sub-coach?” I whisper.

She shrugs and pouts. “Yeah, I find that weird, too.”

Kyle Watley steps back up and pats Tuck on the shoulder. “So that’s the announcement we wanted to make. Make sure if you need anything to come to either Tuck or me. We’ll help in any way we can. You’re free to check out the Village. Have fun and swim hard.”

I turn to Caro as everyone starts to disburse and grab her, pulling her with me toward Tuck. He smiles, watching us race over to him. I don’t hold back, throwing my arms around his large body. He laughs and hugs me back.

“Congratulations, Tuck! I had no idea.”

“Thanks, Lacy. It’s been a long process. Once the investigation into Katie began, Phil saw his chance to take me out of the running for Head Coach. He told the Board I fabricated the story about Katie just to get Melissa through.

“But that was never my intention. I didn’t want Katie disqualified, just reprimanded. When the video footage surfaced, showing her pushing you into the chairs in the marshalling area, it was clear evidence against her. She was brought in, and her chance to compete in Melbourne was nearly revoked.

“I made it clear I didn’t want her banned, just firmly reprimanded. My priority was to protect my girls and ensure she kept to herself during the Games. However, I did insist that if any future incidents occurred, immediate consequences would follow.”

Smiling, I hug him again. “You’re so nice, Tuck. But how come I wasn’t brought in for questioning?”

“I didn’t want that. You didn’t need to be dragged into that mess when you were concentrating on practice. The video showed it more than clearly enough, and the Board was happy for me to be your proxy.”

Sighing in relief. “I love you, Tuck.”

He smiles and pulls me to him. “Love you too, kiddo.”

“What happened to Phil Mathers?” I ask.

Tuck frowns as he lets me go. “He’s been sacked as a coach. They claim he tried to manipulate how the Board would vote on the Head Coach position, so they had to let him go.”

“So he can’t coach anymore?”

Tuck shakes his head. “No.”

My heart sinks through the floor. “Poor Coby.”

“He’s taken on an interim coach. But he’s here with no coach, no family, and no support,” Tuck tells us, and I frown.

Caro wraps her arm around my shoulders as I glance over at him. Now I can see that the happy, cheerful persona he usually gives off isn’t there. East stands with him.

“Talk to him?” Caro suggests.

“What do I say? Sorry, your dad’s a dick?”

“Lacy!”

“I’m never good at making lifting people’s spirits.”

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