Chapter 3
Chapter Three
Zeke
The Olympics passes in a dream, and I know I should be grateful, know that I should be thrilled with all the parties my medal gets me into, pumped by all the interviews people want with me, and proud as fucking punch at bringing a gold home for my country, but I didn’t even make podium for my two other swims, and I know exactly why.
The medal doesn’t feel like a medal without Charlie here with me.
A few times, I opened my mouth to tell someone. To voice that I wished my boyfriend was here. To make it clear that I’m gay and I fucking love having a man I can come home to. To share the photos of us the same way my teammates share photos of their people.
Since my first swim, my social media has blown up. Hundreds of thousands of new followers and so many comments I had to turn my notifications off. Charlie’s accounts are private, but I know people are trying to work out who he is and why he’s in so many of my photos.
One comment caught my eye before I closed the app and haven’t gone back into it.
So he’s a homo. I’d hate to be in the locker room with the guy.
I’ll never understand why people in the world think that way, and while I’m shielding myself from it, I’m more worried about the backlash reaching Charles.
He’s a sweet soul. The kindest man I’ve ever known. And while I know he’d go head-to-head with these assholes with no hesitation, I don’t want him to have to.
My time at the Olympics winds up with team bonding, fragmented phone calls home, and way too many people suddenly knowing the name Zeke Ariston.
I’m not an idiot. I’d known if I made the podium that it would change things, but I don’t think there’s any way for someone to prepare for this type of reality. I’m exhausted down to my bones when I finally get home.
The elevator can’t move fast enough, and I’m dying to get Charlie back in my arms. When the doors open, I jog down the hall, get my key in the lock first try, and throw open the front door.
I’m not expecting an actual fucking party to be waiting for me.
Both of our parents, Robbie, Chad, Brando, and Bailey are all here.
My gaze goes straight to Charlie.
“Hi, all, so happy to see you.” I reach into my bag and pull out the medal box that I toss Chad’s way. “Feel free to touch, take pictures, whatever.” I grab Charlie’s hand. “We’re going to need a minute.”
Then I drag my boyfriend into our bedroom and kick the door closed behind us.
“Hey—”
I back him to the wall and bring my mouth down onto his. Hearing that desperate little squeak that Charlie lets out is fuel to my dick, but I remind it to behave because while we might have a couple of alone minutes together, we definitely don’t have time for all the sex we need to catch up on.
“Why the fuck did I go away?” I murmur against his lips.
Charles chuckles. “To win a fucking gold medal. Show-off.”
I grin and dip my head. “I … I wish you’d been there.”
“Yeah. Me too.”
It’s the first time I’ve heard regret in his tone. “Really?”
He drags his teeth over his bottom lip. “Of course. I would have loved to be there. But it was your moment.”
“What the hell?” My heart is thumping harder. “You said it was because you had too much coursework.”
He gives me a look. “We both know that isn’t why I couldn’t go.”
Silence rings in my ears because while I’d easily accepted that excuse … he’s right. Part of me was afraid.
For what?
The biggest moment of my life, and I couldn’t share it with the one person I wanted to share it with.
I pace over and sit on the side of our bed. “I think I fucked up.”
“What? No. Of course you didn’t.”
“I did though. Those other two races? I fucked those up, and I think it was on purpose.”
“Zeke …”
“Winning gold meant nothing without you there.”
“It’s your dream.”
I frown because it was. Is. The thing about getting what you’ve always wanted though? It doesn’t feel the same when it’s not you getting it. Sure, a few people are speculating about my sexuality, but it’s gone largely ignored. Because everyone just assumes I’m straight.
I let them.
And because of playing into that fucked-up idea, I ruined the thing I’ve been working toward my whole life, and what’s worse is that I took the moment away from Charlie. I know him. I know how proud of me he is, and I know that if we were out, he would have loved to have that moment with me.
After all, it was his moment too.
I’m not the only one who made sacrifices.
“Fuck.” I look at him through misty eyes. “I’m so sorry, baby.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for.”
“I do. But I’m putting it right.” I stand from the bed, disappear into the living room to retrieve my gold that Chad’s currently wearing, and then I head straight for the bedroom again.
I kick the door closed, and then I walk right over to Charlie and put my medal around his neck.
“Wow.” He strokes the surface. “This is incredible.”
“Not as incredible as you.”
The eyes that I love so much flick up to meet mine. “You’re always so sweet.”
“Mmm …” I wrap my arm around his waist, then step around him until my chest meets his back. “Not always.”
“What?”
I hold up my phone. “Lift that medal and smile, baby.”
Charles does exactly what I say, and as soon as I take the photo, I nuzzle into his neck. I’m so damn addicted to this man, and in just a moment, every goddamn person is going to know it.
I load the photo to my social media, and for the first time ever, I write out a caption.
My number one, wearing my number one.
Charles hurries to cover my hand. “You can’t post that.”
“Why?”
“Because then everyone will know.”
“Exactly.”
He turns so his eyes can search mine. “Are … are you sure? Once you do this, you can’t turn it back off again.”
“Good. I don’t want to. I thought all this time that winning gold was my number one goal, but it doesn’t mean shit if you’re not there too.
I missed you so fucking much. And I know you missed me.
It’s not fair that we couldn’t do this together, and I swear to fucking god that if I ever win another gold, you’re going to be right there with me. ”
His sweet lips curl into a smile. “I’m ready if you are.”
I hit Post.
And for the first time since we got to LA, I feel right.