Page 12 of In Too Deep

A small smile pulls at my lips as the starting signal goes off. He dives into the water and stays under for an extended period of time, coming out in front of the pack. His arm comes up, his stroke is flawless as his muscles ripple and glisten in the water. I lick my lips while marvelling at him.

He’s a full body length in front of everyone. It’s hardly a race at all. He’s just that good. Coby hits the wall, flipping over and heading back down for the first hundred of the event.

Coby’s an endurance swimmer, so his muscles have muscles. I have trouble breathing after a hundred metres, so I have no idea how he does it for three times longer. I smile slyly before mentally slapping myself.

The entire race is incredible. I’m on the edge of my seat as another swimmer comes closer to him. I don’t think Coby’s fading, but the other guy lights the match.

“C’mon, Coby,” I plead as they turn for the final fifty.

Coby’s still in front, but it’s only by one stroke. The other guy’s catching up quickly. I stand up as he slowly gains on him. Unlike me, Coby doesn’t have a semi. This race qualifies you straight into the final. Yes, second place will get you there too, but first gives you a better starting lane.

“Push, Coby, push,” I yell louder than I’d intended.

A couple of people stare at me, but I continue to stare at the screen. As if he heard me, he pushes harder and starts pulling out in front a little further.

I bounce up and down on the spot, inwardly screaming for him. “C’mon, Cobes,” I plead.

He ducks and slams his hands against the wall.

“Yes!” I call.

Everyone stares at me again, and I shrink into myself as I glance back at the screen. Coby is still in the pool, his huge smile beaming with the realisation that he’s come in first—just barely.

“Miss LaBelle, can we have a random sample, please?” an official cuts in.

I hesitate, my eyes flicking back to the water. I wanted to be here when Coby came back in, to celebrate with him, to see his face light up.

But the test is mandatory.

Clutching the kit, I turn and take off, the cheers from the pool echoing behind me—louder and louder—until they’re all I can hear.

CHAPTER FOUR

When I rush back to the marshalling area, I find out Coby isn’t there. I’m bummed. I don’t have another race until tonight, so I head to the showers to warm up. I’m quite cold from being out of the pool for so long. Even though the pools are heated to regulation requirements byFINA,they still have a chill factor from the crisp April air.

Heading into the bathroom, I step inside the cubicle and shut the door. There are girls from previous races already here. They chatter as I set up my stall.

“I can’t believe she’s even here again,” Katie sneers over the roaring showers.

“Did you see her all over Coby? I mean… you’re from the same state and everything, but you’re not even in the same league.” They both snicker.

I wince and take off my suit.

“I mean, with a name like LaBelle, she sounds like a hussy.”

“Lacy Loose-As-A-Goose LaBelle,” Katie calls. They all guffaw as anger bubbles up inside of me.

I clear my throat, but they continue.

“I bet she’s either so loose everyone in this aquatic centre has had a turn, or she’s so frigid her piss has trouble coming out.”

“There’s no way Coby Mathers is even slightly interested in her. He’s sorry for the biggest loser in this joint,” Katie cackles.

Clenching my fists, I wrap my towel around me and storm out of my cubicle to Katie’s. I bang on the door, and everyone squeals.

“What the fuck?” Katie yells.

She reluctantly opens her door to see me standing here. She chuckles and looms over me. “How much did you hear?”

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