Chapter Thirty-Five
Thirty-Five
Reece
I pulled out my phone and read his text message one last time.
Cyrus: I know you’re probably nervous as all get out, but you’re going to do great. I’m so proud of you and how far you’ve come. I’ll be there in a bit to cheer you on.
I’d texted him back with a stupid smile on my face. I don’t think I’d ever get tired of hearing that he was proud of me.
Gods, I wish he was here.
He was right, I was nervous.
The oatmeal I’d eaten three hours earlier sat in my stomach like a lead weight, and I’d taken more trips to the bathroom than I cared to admit.
Since this was my first triathlon, I’d arrived at the lake two hours early to make sure my transition areas were properly set up. With my improved swim time, they’d be the main setback when it came to my ninety-minute goal.
The cool fall air stung my nostrils as I spread a towel over my transition area, using my bags to keep it from blowing away. Overnight, the temperature had dropped significantly. I’d be thankful for the extra layer of insulation from my wet suit during the swim portion of the race.
The triathlon course was set up in a loop. We’d start at the beach with the swim portion, transition to our bikes, and do the 20K ride back around to the beach, then run 5K circling back to the lake.
I was just about to start my warm-up when I heard “Reecie!” ring out across the beach. The other competitors turned their heads and stared in the direction of the noise.
My support crew was here.
Atlas, Tegan, my mother, Fallon, Jimenez, and Cyrus made their way down to the shore. Over their jackets, they were wearing safety orange T-shirts emblazoned with “Team Reecie.” In Cyrus’s case, the shirt had been cut into a short crop top that just barely covered his chest.
My cheeks were hot with embarrassment, but it was endearing in a way. My friends and my family had all shown up to support me.
“You, uh, weren’t kidding about the T-shirts,” I grumbled as Atlas wrapped me in one of his rib-crushing hugs.
“I tried, bud,” he mumbled before pulling away.
“We wanted you to be able to see us!” Tegan smiled and held out her arms for a hug.
“I’m assuming ‘Reecie’ was your contribution?” I asked, hugging my sister tightly.
“Of course it was. I came up with the idea and Mom made them. Gotta let everyone know you aren’t quite the hard-ass you act like you are.”
Things between Tegan and I had really improved over the last few months, and interacting with her like this never failed to warm my heart. It made me realize how much I’d missed being a part of her life.
“Oh, look at my babies!” our mother shrieked, then joined us in our hug. “One is getting married and the other is about to race in his first triathlon!”
Jeez, Ma. Way to rub that in.
Racing in a triathlon sort of paled in comparison to marrying your fated mate.
Reluctantly, she let us go, and I walked over to greet Fallon, Jimenez, and Cyrus.
I’d felt slightly awkward around Fallon since he’d walked in on us and seen my cock, but as far as Cyrus and I could tell, he hadn’t let a single word slip. He was probably scared of pissing Cyrus off.
“Thanks for showing up to support me.”
Javier shook my hand and pulled me into one of those bro hugs they all loved so much. “Wouldn’t miss it, boss man.”
Fallon ruffled his feathers, his tail flicking back and forth. “Gotta come out and support our friend.”
Cyrus gave me a warm smile.
We stared at each other for a moment before I held my hand out and welcomed him into a hug just like Jimenez had done with me a few moments before.
To everyone else, it would seem innocent enough, but I needed the comfort his touch provided me.
“You’re going to crush that ninety-minute goal. I know it,” he murmured before I stepped away.
“I, uh, I gotta get warmed up. I’ll see you at the finish line.” I scrubbed a hand over the back of my neck and smiled at my group of supporters.
“Good luck, Reecie!” Tegan beamed, and they waved me off to start my warm-up.
—
I lined up with the rest of the competitors on the beach and waited for the race to start.
My heart was pounding.
A lifetime of physical fitness.
Three months of training.
It had all led up to this moment.
I didn’t have time to dwell on my anxiety, though. The sound of the whistle rang out over the beach, and a sea of bodies beelined toward the lake.
It was organized chaos as I jumped into the water. Doing my best not to focus on everyone around me, I set my sights on the buoy and started to swim.
With steady kicks and sure strokes, I shot through the water, propelling myself forward with a speed that I wouldn’t have been capable of just three months ago.
Cyrus had worked so hard for this.
I’d worked so hard for this.
Regardless of the outcome, as long as I gave it my all, that’s what mattered.
That was something to be proud of.