In Too Deep, page 2
As I swim the butterfly stroke, I sense the same rush from the very first time I swam.
This rush will never change.
Even as my body screams in protest, the need to keep going, to improve—no matter how small—drives me forward. The wall comes up fast. A sharp turn, a powerful dive, and my legs explode, propelling me through the water. I break upward, arms slicing cleanly overhead, pushing into the depths again.
The final fifty meters is where fatigue sets in, but it’s also where the fire ignites. This is the moment to light the match and burn through the finish. Teeth gritted, arms churning faster, I fight the burn in my lungs and the ache in my muscles, forcing every ounce of energy into this swim.
The wall meets my hands with a slap. My body surges upright as I suck in deep, life-saving breaths. Somehow, a second wind hits—less exhaustion than last time, more strength left in reserve. A glance at the board confirms it—another .34 seconds shaved off my personal best.
Caro follows close, just .78 behind.
“Yes!” The roar bursts out as Caro slaps my shoulder in celebration.
Tuck’s laugh echoes from behind us, light and carefree, breaking the tension. “Good work, girls. You’re ready. Now, get out of the pool, head home, and rest up. You have a massive day tomorrow. I want to see you back here bright and early. No excuses, Caro.”
“Hey! Why me?” she asks with a dirty smirk.
“Because it’s always you,” he chides, but with his usual smile.
She giggles. “True… thanks, coach. See you tomorrow.”
He walks away.
I turn to Caro, who takes off her cap and says, “You ready for tomorrow?”
With a shake of my head, I purse my lips. “I don’t think I’ll ever be ready. Olympic trials? That’s huge. Tomorrow could be the start of something massive for us, Caro.”
She tilts her head. “Just because we’re small-time girls from South Australia doesn’t mean we can’t whip everyone’s butts and make the Australian Olympic team. We’re just as good as everyone else. Don’t forget that.”
I take off my cap, letting my shoulder-length blonde hair fall down my back. Then I hoist myself out of the pool. I’m only twenty, so I’m still young to be chosen for the Olympic team. This is my second time trying out—the last time didn’t go so well, so I’m apprehensive about tomorrow.
“Let’s go get changed, I need some food.”
Caro laughs and gestures. “Yes, burgers and curly fries.”
“I wish,” I scoff.
We head to the foyer, where Caro’s parents, Trinny and Harry, wait alongside her three older brothers—Ryan, Logan, and Joshua. They’re here for both of us like they always are. The Hughes family is my surrogate family, the support I never got at home.
My mum, dad, and sister, Stacy, see my swimming dreams as just that—dreams. To them, I’ll never get anywhere, not after failing last time. They don’t believe in me, but luckily, the Hughes family does. So does my coach, Don Tucker. Their unwavering encouragement and guidance keep me grounded, focused, and pushing forward.
“Hey, hey,” Logan calls. “It’s the next two Australian Olympians coming right up.”
“Shut up, idiot! You’ll jinx us,” Caro hisses.
“It’s not jinxing. It’s called good juju. I’m making good karma.”
“Yeah, Nah. You’re just a dick,” Caro chides, rushing up to Logan and pushing his chest.
He steps back and chuckles. “You love me!”
“No… I don’t.” She smirks while he pulls her into a headlock.
She giggles as he gives her head a scruff.
“Scrag.”
“Tiny dick.”
“Okay, okay… enough, you two.” Trinny chuckles, pulling Caro from Logan’s grip into a hug. “I’m proud of you, sweetheart.”
“So am I,” her father, Harry, chimes in. “We’re proud of you too, Lacy. You got a personal best today. Well done you!”
“Thanks, Harry. Hopefully, I can keep up the good times tomorrow.”
“You will, sweetheart. You two are going to do amazing things. But for now, let’s get you both home, hey?”
We bob our heads.
Josh rushes to my side and links his arm with mine. “Great swim today, Lace. As always, you’re so beautiful in the water.”
I smile and lean my head on his shoulder. “Thanks, Josh. Let’s hope I can do these times tomorrow.”
“You’re gonna nail it.”
He leans his head against mine as we walk to their minivan.
“I made you girls kale smoothies. They’re in your fridge when you get home,” Trinny calls as we arrive at the van. “Oh, and I provided a tub of supplements on the counter to help.”
We all file inside the van.
“We can’t take supplements that aren’t approved, Mum. We can get done for that.” Caro chuckles.
Trinny shakes her head and giggles. “Oh shit! Right, I forgot. They are just health supplements. I’ll take them away, but drink your kale smoothies.”
“What’s in them?” Caro asks.
“Kale and water.”
“That’s it?”
“Yep.”
I cringe.
Caro catches me and sticks out her tongue. “Sounds delicious.”
“Caro… are you being sarcastic?”
We all chuckle.
“Yes, Mum.”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” Trinny chides.
Harry starts the van.
It’s not a long drive, but it’s loud and chaotic, as usual. When we arrive at the unit, everyone files out into our small, familiar space.
I make a beeline for the refrigerator, spotting the jug of kale smoothie. Grimacing, I take a sip—because why not?
Noise fills the room, laughter and chatter bouncing off the walls.
Then Trinny walks in. She smiles at me, but I know that look. The tilt of her head, the hand on her hip—it’s a dead giveaway. A heart-to-heart is coming.
I freeze mid-sip, then gulp and flop back against the kitchen counter, bracing myself.
“Lacy, I’ve known you going on what… six years now?”
“Yeah, about that—”
“You’re nervous, sweetheart. I understand how big tomorrow is for you. Just because you didn’t make the team last time doesn’t mean you won’t this time.”
I slump into the bench. “I’m working harder than ever before, but what if I choke again? What if I freeze?”
She takes my hands gently in hers. “Lacy LaBelle, you’re a strong, confident, brave young woman. Ever since those trials, you haven’t frozen. It’s not going to happen tomorrow. Don’t let your head get in the way. Swim from the heart.”
Nodding, I smile. “It would be nice if Mum, Dad, and Stacy supported me. But knowing you guys will be there, you’re all the family I need.”
“Oh, honey, your family is, well, different to ours. But you are a part of our family. We’re there just as much for you as we are for Caro. You’re my second daughter.”
My eyes mist.
She clears her throat. “No tears, not tonight. We save them for celebratory ones tomorrow, okay?”
I giggle. “Deal.”
“Let’s have some dinner and then get you girls to bed.”
“Thanks so much. I’d be lost without you.”
“Family is here for each other… blood or not,” Trinny says softly, leaning in to kiss my forehead.
I reach out, wrapping my arms around her. “Thanks, Trinny. I love you all so much.”
“And we love you, sweetheart.” She squeezes me gently before pulling me toward the kitchen. “Come on, let’s get some dinner, hmm?”
I cuddle into her side as we walk. Her warmth steadies me, anchors me. She’s more of a mother to me than my own mum ever was, and tonight, that means everything.
For once, the ache in my chest feels just a little bit lighter.
CHAPTER THREE
My body jolts suddenly from side to side, pulling me awake from a deep sleep. I’m being tussled about in bed, disoriented and unable to gather my bearings, but I sense Caro’s presence. Of course, she’s the source of all the commotion.
I blink to find her bouncing up and down on the mattress, grinning like the goofball she is.
Yawning and stretching, I watch as she giggles and flops onto her knees, straddling me.
“Olympic trials start today, bitch!”
Howling, I grab her waist and pull her down to the bed beside me. We both lay on our backs, staring up at the ceiling, taking in those five words. Qualifying starts today in Adelaide and lasts for eight days. By the end of it, we could both have a ticket to the Melbourne Olympic Games—we compete for Australia in Australia.
“Lacy?”
I face Caro. “Yeah?”
“This could be the beginning of our futures.”
Great minds think alike.
Sighing, I glance back up to the ceiling. “Today could be the start of our journey. The day the world acknowledges our hard work.”
“We got this, don’t we?”
“Yeah, we sure as hell got this!”
“Good, let’s go then.” She leaps up from the bed, pulling me with her and out to the kitchen. There lies our fruit, with a side of egg white omelette. She’s on the game today.
“You made breakfast?”
“Well, someone was trying out for the Sleeping Beauty contest this morning, so one of us had to step up,” Caro teases.
Rolling my eyes, I take my plate and smile. “Thank you.”
We eat quickly, get dressed and pack everything we need for the day’s events. Then we head off to the SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre at Oaklands Park. It’s our home base, so we have the advantage of knowing the pool inside out. It’s where we train and live when we’re not at the unit.
Walking in the centre it’s all a buzz. There are people everywhere, and as we step in further, we see Tuck talking to the one… the only… Kyle Watley! Australia’s four-time Olympic Champion! Order of Australia Medallist! Former record holder in three events, winner of five gold medals, four silver, and one bronze! This guy’s a legend, and our coach is talking to him.
I nudge Caro. “Can you believe that?”
Caro shakes her head. “Nup. I didn’t know Kyle would be here, let alone set my knickers on fire, then douse them out with an insatiable wetness.”
“Oh my God, Caro!”
“What? He’s hot… Oh, wait, speaking of hot…” She turns her head toward a couple of guys walking past us.
They’re both smoking hot, but one grabs my attention. He’s tall with a muscular build. His brown hair is just long enough to flop slightly on top. His eyes are the most striking blue I’ve ever gazed upon. He glances at me and smirks, sending a shiver down my spine. I break out into goose bumps. His smirk is gorgeous. My heart races. My palms sweat, and my thighs buckle as my mind wanders.
Just imagine those perfect smirking lips kissing my neck.
His friend struts past and flexes his biceps in our direction. My eyebrows curve upward, and my eyes bug out. Before I drool over his friend, I turn to Caro and pull her away.
“Awww, I was having fun with the guys. They were hot and showing off,” she coos.
“We need to concentrate on the heats, not the heat around the pool.”
Caro pouts. “You’re no fun.”
I walk us over to Tuck, who’s setting up our stuff now that Kyle has disappeared.
“Tuck, we’re here,” I call.
He turns and beams. “Good, and on time, too. Lacy must have gotten you out of bed, Caro, right?” he teases.
I giggle as Caro crosses her arms and scoffs.
“Actually, I got Miss Sleeping Beauty out of her bed this morning, Tuck. I think you’ll find I’m the committed one here today. Lacy’s too busy checking out the boys. I tried to stop her, but she’s a dog on heat. Can’t stop her from dry-humping shit.”
Tuck shakes his head as I slap her arm. “You’re a bitch.”
She wrinkles her nose. “You love me.”
“Mmm…”
“Okay, well, now you ladies have had your fun, it’s time for some serious talk. There’s a lot of veterans racing at the trials, but there’s always room for new up-and-comers. Kyle is keeping his eyes open for fresh talent, and I told him about you both, so give your all this week.”
“You mean the sexy Kyle Watley will be watching out for… moi?” Caro gushes.
Tuck guffaws. “Yes! So do your best.”
“Yes, coach!”
While Caro and Tuck chat, I’m distracted. Caro isn’t far off the mark. I am like a dog on heat. Because that guy from before, well… he’s standing over there setting up, and I can’t tear my eyes away. There’s something about him—he’s a magnet for my eyes, and I just can’t break the connection.
“Lacy, earth to Lacy?”
I snap my head back around to face Tuck and Caro. “Huh, what?”
Tuck frowns, turning from me to the guy and then back to me. “Eye on the prize only, Miss LaBelle!”
I try to rein in my racing heart and breathing.
“A ticket to Melbourne.”
“Good. Don’t forget it. Don’t get distracted. This is too important, Lacy.”
I push away the thought of his hands running up my thighs. “Yes, coach. I’m focused. I promise.”
“Glad to hear it. Now, go get changed.”
“Okay.”
Caro links her arm with mine, and we head to the changing rooms, where we begin our preparations for the meet. The room is abuzz with swimmers from all corners of Australia. We change quickly. There’s a special address coming up soon, and we all have to be there before the first heat starts. We rush out of the change rooms and down to the marshalling area. There, we file in and squish together for the welcome address.
Caro and I link our arms. There’s no one else I’d rather have by my side.
A bunch of people speak. It’s as boring as shit, then finally, Kyle Watley steps onto the small dais. Caro and I snap back to reality.
“Hi everyone, I’d like to officially welcome you to the Australian Olympic qualifying trials. We’re all here for one reason and one reason only… a ticket to Melbourne. To get that ticket, you have to not only give it your all this week but also put your best foot forward in all aspects. Respect the sport. Respect your country. Respect your teammates. Do Australia proud. Strive for your ticket to Melbourne. Show the world what world-class swimmers look like!”
We all cheer. Pride washes over me. I can’t believe that I’m even here with these amazing swimmers. I was in this position four years ago when I was sixteen. Back then, I was too young, and the stress was too much. But now I’m in my prime. I can take on anything.
I. Am. Ready.
“Go out there now and give this everything you’ve got, be your best, do the best. Swim hard, swim fast. Let’s see some good numbers today, people.” Kyle steps down from the dais. We scatter.
“Good luck, you’ll smash it.” Caro kisses my cheek before rushing after some hot guys.
The first round of swimmers get ready for the Multi Class Women’s 50m Free, which the men will follow. Then I’m up for the 100m Butterfly, which is the only race I’m trying out for other than the Olympic relay team. So I sit in the marshalling area to the side of the pool. It’s an enclosed seating area where I wait patiently for my time to come around. Television screens are conveniently placed on the walls, and the area is quiet enough for us to prepare mentally for a particular race.
The trials bring in huge crowds. The television stations record the heats for their highlights later that night. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the idea of being on television, but I’ll deal.
I’m sitting back, not focusing on anything but the first Multi Class race. Then my arm tingles. Furrowing my brows, I catch the hot guy from earlier. He’s wearing his swim shorts and a Playford-branded swimming shirt. Tensing as he comes into view, I quickly turn away as my breathing rushes and my muscles clench. When he sits down next to me, I tingle even more. Chewing the side of my cheek, I slowly face him.
He’s smiling so brightly it knocks my socks off. “Hey, I’m Coby Mathers. I swim for Playford… obviously. This your first time?”
His easy-going nature soothes me. “I’m Lacy. I’m with Marion, and this is my second. I didn’t qualify the first time.”
“Let’s change that this time, hey?”
I check the information board to see the men’s 400m Free after my event. “You’re a Freestyler?”
He smiles. “Yeah, I try to freestyle everything.”
What an odd thing to say.
I snigger. “Interesting. So this is obviously your first trials, too, then?”
He nods. “Yeah, I’m a late developer, but I’m well-developed now.”
I give him an idiotic grin. “Good timing then.”
He ogles through his lashes. “Couldn’t have timed it better.”
“What do you mean it’s only just started?”
He chuckles. “ ’Cause I met you. That’s a pretty good start to this week, wouldn’t you say?”
I slump. “Distractions are a very bad idea.”
He smirks. “Well then, let’s only be distracted after hours.”
“Or not at all,” I rebut.
He chuckles. “Geez, Lacy, you’re a tough one to crack.”
I raise my shoulders. “You have to be tough in my life.”
He winces. “There’s a story there. I want to hear it one day when we’re allowed to be distracted.”
“I live down south, you live up north. So—”
“How very observant of you.”
“That’s not something on your mind?” I huff.
“What’s on my mind right now… is eels.”
Furrowing my brows, I jolt back slightly and stare at him. “Um… what?”
“Eels glide through the water. I need to be an eel.”
“Right, I see your logic.”
“Plus, if I’m an electric eel, I can blow my competition right out of the water.”
I shake my head. “Really?”
He grins. “Was it that bad?”
“I’m thinking A-grade Dad joke, to be honest.”
He lifts his shoulders. “Shit, I need to work on my form.”
