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“Yeah.” I smile up at him. “You?”

“Couldn’t be better.” He wiggles his eyebrows and grins in a way that has my skin heating.

He’d acted as my alarm clock this morning, waking me up at four a.m. with his mouth and hands. I reach out and smack his chest before heading over to where the women’s team is congregating. When I glance over at the coaches, I find Doug talking to someone from one of the other colleges, but Lane meets my eye and winks. I smile and look away. We’ve already planned to go back to his place tonight after the meet, and I can’t wait. It’s been too long since I’ve had quality alone time with the two of them.

We annihilate the competition. I take first place in all four of my events, scoring new PRs in three of them. Franklin West is set to win overall by a mile and we’re all buzzing by the time it comes to the final race: the eight-hundred-meter men’s relay. Even if we don’t win this one, we’ll still win overall, but my heart still slams against my ribs as we stand and cheer on the guys.

Wes is second to last, plowing through the water with his enormous shoulders, making it look easy as he leaves two of the other three teams in his wake. Only Idaho’s team is giving us any problems, barely a second behind. My attention leaves Wes to watch where Aldo is on his block, poised and ready, his muscles tensed as he leans forward onto his toes, ready to spring into the water.

The second Wes touches the wall, he leaps, pure power, as he slides flawlessly into the water. His dive is better than Idaho’s and we gain a couple of feet at least. We all watch as Aldo pulls through the water, and I marvel at how I’ve watched him in every race for the last three years without feeling the way I’m feeling watching him now.

When he touches the side, a full two seconds before Idaho, the Franklin West team erupts in deafening cheers. It’s our best win of the season and it’s made even better when I look over and see Doug and Lane hugging, their faces lit with smiles. My heart swells at the sight.

The team gathers around the guys as they tug on their robes, and I squeeze Aldo a little tighter and longer than the others. Even though the team knows we’re seeing each other, it feels unprofessional to show it poolside, so I hold back on giving the kiss I want to so badly.

I smile when Lane also struggles to keep his hug as brief as the others, but Doug just squeezes his shoulder, and the way Aldo’s smile dims at the casual gesture makes my heart hurt. Whether Doug notices or not, I’m not sure.

He’s been like it with both of us. Not that he’d usually hug me after a win, but he just gave me a nod and a thumbs up today.Athumbs up. I almost laughed. The only thing I can think, is that he’s trying to keep his distance. Possibly respecting the relationship Lane, Aldo and I are cultivating. My stomach clenches a little at the term, but there’s no point denying to myself that that’s what’s happening here.

After chatting briefly with some of the swimmers from the other colleges, I gather my stuff from the team area, ready to hit the showers. It’s only when I give the poolside one last glance, that my gaze lands on something that makes my heart stop in my chest.

My parents are here.

Dad is chatting animatedly to the Idaho coach, but what holds my attention is the fact that several feet away, Lane is standing with my mother. His back is to me, so I can’t see his expression, but I’m frozen to the spot as I watch my mother’s eyes narrow, her mouth twisting like she’s angry as she leans in close. Before I can take a step toward them and see what the hell is going on, Lane turns and storms off, his entire body radiating with scarcely contained rage. My mouth falls open as I watch him leave the pool, Doug staring after him with narrowed eyes. He looks at me, but I just shrug. I have no idea what just happened.

Finally, my feet move, and I walk over to my parents. Dad beams as he watches me approach, scooping me up into his arms as though I’m still twelve rather than a few days from turning twenty-two. I’m trying not to think about my birthday, and I haven’t told the guys.

I’ve never been a birthday person. Maybe because it always fell right at the most pivotal time of swim season. I haven’t had a birthday party since I was a little kid, so long ago, I’m not even sure what age I was. With every year that passes, they just seem more and more pointless. And disappointing.

“Joy!” Dad says as he squeezes the air from my lungs. “You were phenomenal! Three new PRs!”

“Thanks, Dad.” I wriggle out of his grasp and smile up at him before turning to my mom. “I had no idea you were coming.”

“Well,” Mom says, pulling me into a gentle hug and kissing me on the cheek. “We knew there was little to no chance of you coming home for your birthday, so we thought we’d take the opportunity to come and give you your present a little early.”

My eyes widen. “Present?”

Mom shares a look with Dad before turning back to me, her dark eyes sparkling. “We’ve booked you a two-day luxury spa getaway in Colorado Springs.”

My eyes narrow. “Colorado?”

Their grins widen, and then Dad confirms my suspicions. “You’ll need to unwind after the training session and meeting we’ve organized with the Team USA coach.”

Shit.My heart plummets into my stomach and I suck in a breath as I try to force a smile onto my face. “Oh. Wow. You shouldn’t have.”

They really shouldn’t have.

“Mr. and Mrs. Blake! How wonderful to see you.”

I’ve never been more relieved to see Doug McMann in my life. I give him a grateful smile, but his expression gives nothing away as he shakes my dad’s hand and gives my mom a kiss on the cheek.

“Good to see you, Coach,” Dad says. “Congratulations on an excellent win.”

Doug shrugs. “I have some of the country’s best swimmers on my team. That makes it easier. Joy was incredible today.”

My dad inflates with pride, and it makes my heart sink. “She did indeed. We just know it won’t be long before she’s got Olympic medals around her neck. I hope you’ve been imparting your wisdom.”

Doug’s poker face remains as he smiles back at them. “Of course.”

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