Page 1 of In Too Deep

CHAPTER ONE

Lacy

Sixteen Years Old

I walk out of the marshalling area, my heart heavy, my dreams shattered.

I didn’t make the cut.

No matter how hard I worked, how many hours I sacrificed, it wasn’t enough.

Tuck, my coach, will be disappointed—I can already hear the frustration he’ll try to hide.

My parents? They will be shattered.

But no one is as devastated as me.

Because this wasn’t just a race.

This wasmyrace.

And I lost.

Goddammit! I don’t know what happened.

One minute, I was in the pool, ready to conquer it all, and the next, I froze.

My body locked up, muscles refusing to obey.

My mind swarmed with thoughts I couldn’t control—you’re not good enough, you’re going to mess this up—and I couldn’t focus. Couldn’t fight.

I stuffed up.

I failed.

And I only have myself to blame.

But that won’t stop my father from being furious. After all the time, the effort, and the relentless pressure he’s put into my swimming, he won’t see this as a one-off bad race. No, this will be my failure, and he’ll make sure I know it.

Upon walking out to the holding room, I spot them. My father, arms crossed, nostrils flared, mouth set in a grim, silent line. Mum stands beside him, shaking her head, disappointment clear in her narrowed gaze.

My stomach churns.

And then there’s Stacy, my little sister. She winces as soon as our eyes meet—she already knows. They have already told her.

Now, it’s my turn to hear it all.

Every word of how badly I’ve failed.

“Lacy Hannah LaBelle… you get your pathetic arse over hereright now!” Dad voice booms, cutting through the air.

Everyone stares at him.

I flinch, heat rising to my cheeks as I slump, trying to shrink into myself.

“I’m sorry, Dad. I—”

“Sorry? That’s all you’ve got?” He glares at me, his face red with frustration. “Do you have any idea how much time, how much money, we’ve poured into this? Your mother drove you to training day after day. I worked my fingers to the bone to get you here, and for what? You couldn’t even damn well qualify? How do you think that makes us feel, Lacy? How selfish can you be?”

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