Cheater: A Summer Games Short Read (Going for Gold) (4 page)

In the air, I hesitated long enough to call out her name. Those two syllables were enough to gain my full rotation and stick the landing.

When I turned around to thank her, she was gone. Coming through the door were Wade and Nick.

“Alec, good to see you.” Nick wrapped me in a bear hug. “Wade and I were going to go over his floor routine. Do you want to hang out and watch? You may learn something new.”

Wade rubbed at his jaw, refusing to make eye contact. I smiled. It gave me pleasure knowing that he’d feel that for a day or two.

“No, Coach. I’ve learned all I need from Wade today. Besides, I’m beat.” I emphasized the word “beat.” “I’m heading over to the cafeteria and then back for a nap. I believe you scheduled floor time for me at seven.” When I’d picked up my key, I also received my schedule. It outlined designated training times, open training times, and the various events I needed to be at.

“That’s right. I’ll see you at seven.”

* * *

W
hen I entered the cafeteria
, the noise was overwhelming. Hundreds, maybe thousands, of people milled about, chatting each other up. Two aisles ahead, Cole waved his arms like a bird. He was sitting with Trent and Steven, the final two gymnasts on Team USA. I scanned the room for Eric and Todd, our alternates. I found them standing in the food line. Todd was smiling like a goofy kid. He’d probably never see the mats, but he was in Rio and enjoying the experience—something I couldn’t help envying.

With a tray full of chicken breast, green beans, and fresh berries, I walked toward the table Team USA had commandeered. It wasn’t only gymnasts. There were swimmers, wrestlers, archers, divers, golfers, shooters, and runners. But of course it didn’t escape my notice that Bryn was there, sitting at the end with her tear-stained eyes trained on me.

My stomach knotted with her so near. I wanted to yell, cry, and stomp my feet. Instead, I choked down my dry chicken and listened to everyone talk with excitement about their lives.

What went right in your day?
Mom’s words invaded the space I’d given up to sorrow and self-pity. What had gone right in my day?

I was in Rio.

I was an elite athlete who had earned the right to be here.

I was a Maes, and we didn’t complain—we conquered.

Intent on living in the moment, I shot a few pictures of my surroundings and sent them to Mom. She said she’d be with me always; why not in the cafeteria too? Still, the heat of Bryn’s stare caused me indigestion. Once I’d finished all the food I could stomach, I said goodbye to my teammates and the new athletes I’d met, and walked around the village. One road led to everything from coffee and ice cream to the medical clinic.

My phone pinged with a message from Mom: “Don’t forget the bug spray.” The text made me laugh. Zika had been her biggest worry. I imagine it scared a lot of people, and I’d have to be more diligent in applying the spray.

After I’d made the full circle, I found Wade shirtless and chatting up a girl outside our building. She smiled and giggled while he peacocked in front of her.

He raised his hand in a cautious wave. I gave him the finger. We might have to be roommates, but we didn’t have to be friends. What we used to have was permanently over.

Bed sounded pretty good right now. Once I entered my dorm, I headed straight down the hallway, intent on collapsing between the sheets. If I got up at five, I’d have enough time to shower, eat, and be in the gym waiting for Nick. There was no doubt he’d work me hard.

To my shock, I turned the corner and found Bryn sitting on my bed.

“Out.” I pointed to the door.

“Wait, Alec. I need to explain.”

“Actually, Bryn, you don’t. I don’t care.”

“You have to care. We’ve been together almost a year.”

“How dare you insist I care?” How could she sit there and throw it in my face that we’d been together for a year? I knew how long we’d been together. I’d cherished each and every fucking moment. “I don’t care. Now get the hell out of my room.”

“Alec, it just happened.”

“Really? What, you drank a beer, found yourself in Wade’s bed, and said, ‘Let’s fuck before Alec gets here’?”

“No, it…it started the day before I left.” She buried her face in her hands.

Fury filled my body. I was still standing in the damn doorway, and she was on my bed. I stormed toward her, towering over her. Spit and vehemence came out of my mouth. “You fucked him the night before you left? The night you didn’t have time to come and say goodbye to me?”

“It just happened.”

Her words knocked me flat to my ass. I took two steps back and sank to the floor. “You told me you two were meeting to set up some coordinated team events. I’d say you coordinated all right. His dick in your…” I didn’t even want to go there. The less I thought about it, the better.

“It was just a fling. This morning was going to be the last time. I swear.”

Today’s lunch rose from my stomach to my throat, threatening to choke me. “That really doesn’t make a difference to me. We’re done.”

“Please, Alec, give me another chance. I don’t want to lose you.” Mascara ran down her cheeks. “I l… I lo…”

I held up my hand to stop her. “You love yourself, Bryn. You can’t even say the words to me. I’ve been telling you how much I’ve loved you for months, and all I ever got was, ‘That’s so sweet.’ I deserve more than that. I want more. Need more. Demand more.”

“Alec, I can give you more.”

“Yeah, well, I’m not looking for an STD. You need to leave.” I rolled to my feet and pointed to the door.

Bryn rose on wobbly legs. She looked like she was going to collapse. Instead she approached me, but I shook my head, and she walked on by.

Alone at last, I climbed into the bed for a soul-cleansing nap.

I
woke
to the sound of groans and moans. I flew out of my bed ready to murder Bryn and Wade. It was bad enough that I’d caught them earlier, but now they were rubbing it in my face.

With a pound of hate behind me, I threw open Wade’s door. It hit the wall and slammed back to nearly knock me out. The girl he had been talking to outside was lying on her back, spread wide for him.

“You’re an asshole.” I pointed at Wade and looked back to the girl, who appeared stunned by the interruption. “He’s a total dick.”

“Again? Really?” Wade rolled to his side, leaving the girl fully exposed to my view. “Alec, they don’t put a bucket of rubbers in the lobby for nothing.” The girl pulled the blanket over her body.

“Fucking asshole.” I slammed the door and left. How had I not known what a jerk he was? Rose-colored glasses had influenced my perception of the man. He’d made it. I’d idolized him, emulated him, and all he was, was an asshole in a leotard.

For that matter, so was Bryn. What did I love about her? Was it her looks? Her talent? Or her always willing pussy? Maybe I hadn’t been in love with her after all. Maybe she was there when I needed someone. For her, I was the automatically renewing dick of the month club.

What I’d witnessed today needed soap and hot water to wash it away from my mind and body. Steam filled the shower as the water cascaded over me. I lowered my head and watched my stress swirl down the drain with the bubbles. This was my new beginning. I didn’t need Bryn. I didn’t need Wade. I had me. I was a Maes, and we conquered.

Dressed in my leotard and shorts, I ran to the cafeteria, where I filled up a tray with baked fish and steamed broccoli. I snagged a corner table that was perfect for me. People watching was a habit I enjoyed. You could learn a lot about a person from just standing back and observing. On a table in the center of the room, the American swim team danced to the catcalls of several women. I’d left Colorado Springs and apparently landed in the middle of a frat party. Hedonism was supposed to begin once the competition had ended. People were putting the cart before the horse. Weren’t you supposed to kick the other athletes’ asses on the field and then make up later?

“They are a bunch of crazy people.”

My head popped toward the voice. The beautiful gymnast from the day before was standing beside me, watching the amateur strippers pull a few others to the tabletop.

“Who knew we’d get dinner and a show?”

“It’s like an orgy here.”

Boy, did I know it. It was a wonder anyone actually competed in a sport. Most of the men were constantly dick wagging to establish superiority. Who knew what the women gained from the experience? Maybe there was a secret hose-collecting competition and the inches were tallied in some private room in the village.

“Have a seat, Snow.” I pulled my tray directly in front of me, giving her plenty of room to join me.

“Snow?” She plopped her tray of fish and broccoli next to mine. “What is this Snow?” Her voice was tinged with an accent.

“You remind me of a fairytale princess with dark hair, ivory skin, and lush lips. I believe there were little men and a magic apple as well.”

“Hmm, and if you were one of my little men, which would you be?” Her ripe, red lips curled into a smile.

I thought about her question and went through the names in my head. Weren’t they something like Mick, Grumpy, Sloppy, Shy, Happy, Jumpy, and Dorky? “Well, I could never be called little, but if I were one of your men, and I had to choose today, I’d be Grumpy.” I speared a piece of broccoli and put it into my mouth.

“So, today you are Grumpy; after your first gold medal, you shall be Happy.” Her English was perfect, but a hint of a sexy French accent made it memorable.

“Collette, is it?” I’d never forget it. Her name on my lips felt like success. “I’m going to take home that gold, and for the rest of my life I’ll be Happy.”

“I think that is a very wise plan, Mr. American Gymnast.” She played with the fish on her plate.

“I’m Alec Maes. It’s nice to meet you, Collette from somewhere in Canada.”

“How did you know?”

I pointed to the Canadian flag on the chest of her T-shirt. “You wear it proud.”

She laid down her fork and held out her hand. “I am Collette Lamont, originally from Quebec, but I’ve been living and training in Toronto for years.” She dipped her head and looked at me from under her lashes. “You can call me Snow if you’d like. I’ll call you Grumpy until that gold is hanging from your neck.”

Something told me that Collette Lamont was going to be the light in my darkness. She spread a beam of sunshine on an otherwise gloomy day. I wiped my hands on the napkin and held her tiny hand in mine. “Well, Snow, what should I call you when that first gold medal hangs around your neck?”

She plucked a piece of broccoli from the plate with her fingers. Nibbling on the edges, she appeared to contemplate my question. I knew when she’d reached her conclusion because her eyes danced with delight.

“You can call me Your Highness.” She bubbled with laughter.

For the next thirty minutes, Snow and I bantered back and forth. This was her first time to the Games. She’d entered the sport late and hadn’t fully bloomed until just after the London Games. She was twenty-one. She’d won worlds last year, which gained her the attention she needed to get to Rio.

After dinner, she followed me into the gym, where my coach was waiting. When I entered with someone other than Bryn, Nick’s eyes grew wide. Collette bid me good luck and walked to the beam. I would have loved to see her routine, but I had work to do.

One pass was all it took to get Nick on my ass. He ranted and raved about my execution. “You’re pulling out too fast. Last week you were over-rotating. Today you’re letting go prematurely. Get your head in the game. Do the final pass and stick that landing.”

Nicks face was beet red. He stood at the corner of the mat and crossed his arms over his chest. I glanced over at the beam. Snow had just mounted when she saw me looking. She mouthed the word “Collette” and continued on with her routine.

When I got to the last tumbling pass, I twisted and turned and said her name before I pulled out and stuck the perfect landing. The whoop from the beam told me Collette had seen it, and something about that felt good. When was the last time Bryn had come to my practice? When had she ever cheered me on?

It felt good to be on top of the world. The weight of the morning was no longer dragging me down. Letting go of Bryn was like letting go of a ninety-eight-pound weight. But later, when I walked into my dorm, the heaviness of the day came crashing back with the sight of Wade sitting in the living room alone.

“Can we talk?” he asked.

“No, we can’t. I have nothing to say to you.”

“I have something to say to you.” He dragged his hand through his hair. “I’m sorry. I was an asshole.”

I started down the hallway and called over my shoulder, “We agree on something.”

After I sent more pictures to Mom, I climbed into bed. Tomorrow night was the opening ceremonies. My Ralph Lauren red, white, and blue outfit hung in the closet, waiting for its Rio Games debut. But was I?

* * *

L
ining
up ten thousand athletes for the parade of nations was like herding cats. Energy was high, and national pride was as thick as molasses. The wait was endless for a country whose name began with
U
. I couldn’t imagine coming from Zambia or Zimbabwe, and I envied Snow for being from Canada.

Over three hundred athletes were representing the United States, and they all wore the colors proudly. Arm in arm we entered Maracanã Stadium to the cheers of many. I held up my right hand, the one that wore my mother’s favor. With pride, I air-fisted her bandana. If she caught a glimpse of me, I wanted her to know she was with me.

After the ceremony concluded, the atmosphere turned on a dime. What had been free-loving and friendly yesterday became cautious and competitive overnight. The Games would begin tomorrow, and we were no longer comrades—we were competitors.

Still, Snow ran up beside me. “Good luck tomorrow, Grumpy.” She bounced her five-foot frame up and planted a kiss on my cheek.

“You too.” I don’t know why I did it, but I pulled her in for a hug. To be honest, the hug was probably more for me than for her. Her head came to my chin, which gave me a clear view of what was behind her: Bryn, with her hands on her hips and a scowl on her face.