Plunge (Alpha Athletes 1)

My entire life might be different this morning, but the rituals weren’t.

I stood, reaching my arms overhead, and walked out of the locker room.

The crowd erupted in a chant: “Crews, Crews, Crews.”

I tried not to look at how many people had been packed into the aquatics center. My eyes darted to the one reserved seat I had in the entire building.

Ava smiled.

If she was here, the rest was all just noise. I didn’t need the cheers or chants. I didn’t need the TV cameras. I needed her. And our baby.

Jim walked up to me. “You’ve got this, Blaine.”

“Thanks.”

It was my gold to lose.

I adjusted my swim cap and goggles. The fans went crazy when we took our places on the blocks. I was in lane two.

I gripped the block and rocked back and forth to loosen my hamstrings. I took a deep breath.

The freestyle was mine. The gold was mine.

The buzzer sounded and I dove into the water, plunging beneath the surface with a solid start. The swimmer on my right was Swiss and the guy on my left was American. I had competed against both of them in world finals six months ago.

I kicked, propelling myself faster as I took quick breaths. I saw the wall and twisted into the turn I practiced yesterday. It was fucking flawless. I surfaced again, gaining at least a full body length on the Swiss guy.

I knew better than to look beside me. The drag would only slow me down. I focused on the wall, on my breath, on pushing the water out of my way.

I shoved off the wall again. There was only one turn left before the final lap.

It was close and I anticipated the turn, ducking with a swift motion.

I pulled hard, forcing my body to move faster than it had before. I had to do this. Ava was watching.

I reached, stretching my fingertips long, and hit the wall.

I hung on the rope and looked up at the scoreboard. The times scrolled across the marquee.

Jim clapped and shouted. “Gold!”

I threw my arm in the air, pumping my fist. Ava laughed and waved from the crowd.

I had everything. A fucking incredible woman. A woman who was giving me a family.

And I had just won gold.

It was only the beginning.

Get ready for Keeper (Book 2) in the Alpha Athletes series. Available Now!

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