by Trina Lane
“Oh no you don’t,” Nick said.
Nick’s arms came around him, and Gabe struggled in the embrace. The feel of Nick’s arms around him was so nice. Protective, supportive, and Gabe really wished he could have sunk into what his arms offered versus the need to push Nick away, but this wasn’t the place or the time for such obvious public displays.
“Mason, I want you to hit the showers. Then you and I are going to have a little chat. Come to my office―”
Nick stepped in front of Gabe. “I’m sorry to interrupt, Coach, but do you mind if I have that talk with Gabriel? I think it might help coming from another swimmer.”
“I don’t want to put that responsibility on you. You’re not the coach here.”
“No, I’m not, but Gabriel and I are friends. I think I know where this behavior is coming from, and how to help.”
The coach looked back and forth between Gabe and Nick with a perplexed look upon his face. He was obviously trying to figure out how he and Nick had become friends. When Nick was swimming for CAL they hadn’t exactly run around in the same circles.
“Well, if you want to, it’s okay by me. Mason, Alcorn, another stunt like this and you’ll both be dry docked is that clear?”
“Yes, sir,” they both said.
The coach headed back from whence he came, and the three of them stood underneath the California sun. It caused the water to slowly dry on Gabe and Phil’s skin and glimmered on Nick’s dark hair.
“Phil would you give Gabe and me a few minutes?”
Phil dropped the stopwatch into Nick’s hand and took off for the door leading into the locker rooms.
“All right, my sweet prince. Want to tell me what that was really all about?”
Gabe plopped down on the starting block. “It’s exactly what I said. I need to better my time if I’m going to make the finals. That’s all.”
“First, I can tell you from experience that pushing your body beyond its limits will not better your times. And second, I think you’re lying to me. There is something deeper going on here. Do you think that we’re competing against each other? Is that what this”—Nick waved his hands between their bodies—“means to you? Because if so, then not only am I incredibly disappointed, but also a little insulted.”
Gabe’s feet swung back and forth across the concrete. His fingers gripped the underneath of the plastic platform he sat on. “I… I don’t know. I wanted you to be proud of me. I wanted you to see me as an equal.”
Nick stepped forward, and heedless of Gabe’s wet body, gathered him in close. “Oh, sweetheart, never doubt that I’m proud of you. You’ve come so far since your freshman year. Each season you get better. I know what Coach said hurt you. I saw the pain on your face, but never think for a second that our personal lives are dependent on our times in the water. You are my equal in everything that truly counts.”
The deck was empty, and Gabe gave in to the need to wallow in Nick’s embrace. He nuzzled into Nick’s chest. A breeze swirled through the pool area, and Gabe shivered despite the heat from Nick’s body plastered against him.
“Go take a warm shower, sweetheart. Then I’ll take you to get something to eat. If you’re like me, you’re probably starving. I always am after a good swim.”
Gabe lifted his head and saw the giant wet spot on Nick’s white T-shirt. His hands came up to brush against the now see-through material. “I’m sorry.” Although not really because now Gabe saw the outline of Nick’s pecs and the small copper discs of his areolas. The damp material showed off the line bisecting Nick’s flat torso.
“I’m not. What are dry clothes compared to the feel of you in my arms?”
Nick removed Gabe’s swim cap and ran his hands over the short ends of hair. Gabe stretched up into the touch as a cat would a good pet. His eyes met Nick’s and closed slowly when Nick’s head dipped toward him. Their lips touched briefly. Nick’s were warm and so perfect against Gabe’s. Nick pulled back before the kiss moved into deeper territory, much to Gabe’s disappointment.
“Go on, sweetheart. Get cleaned up. We’ll have more time for kisses later.”
NICK watched Gabe’s delectable ass saunter down the deck toward the locker room, the tight bubble expertly displayed by the tiny swim briefs Gabe wore for practice. Gabe’s long legs ate up the distance, and right before he disappeared into the locker room he gave Nick a little wave.
Nick looked down at the stopwatch in his hand, and smiled at the numbers frozen in time. Gabe had shaved off four tenths of a second with the second swim. When swim times between first and last place in a final differed by as little as two seconds, every hundredth counted. Nick knew his prince had it in him. Before March, Gabe would reach his goal.
Nick headed inside and made a stop at the coach’s office. He lightly rapped on the door frame. “You got a second?”
“For my star athlete? Of course.”
Nick entered and sat in the chair beside the man who’d cheered him on throughout his swimming career. “Former star, you mean.”
“That’s right, you have moved on to bigger and better things. Speaking of better things, want to tell me what’s going on between you and Mason?”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m not stupid, Nick. You held Gabe as if he’s your lover out there. Now don’t get me wrong, your personal life is your own business, but my swimmers are mine.”
“And if Gabriel and I are dating? How does that affect you?”
“Unless it affects his commitment to the team or negatively impacts his times, it doesn’t.”
“Coach, hypothetically, if Gabriel and I were seeing each other, I would imagine it would improve his performance not hinder it. You said it yourself out there. Gabe’s a good swimmer, but I’m in a different league. My experience can only be an advantage to him.”
“You have a point, but I can’t have you showing up to our practices without notice and lavishing attention on him. It would be unfair to the other team members.”
“You’re still speaking in hypothetical terms, aren’t you?”
Coach Meran rolled his eyes. “Whatever, Jackson.”
Nick smiled and tossed a stress ball that had been sitting on the coach’s desk from hand to hand.
Meran snatched the ball from mid air away from Nick and placed it back on his desk. “So what’s your schedule with the national team look like for the next year?”
“We start the Grand Prix series in Minneapolis in November, and then I’ll be swimming in the short course world championships in Dubai in December. There’s the Speedo Champions series thrown into the mix along the way. Long course worlds are in Shanghai next July and then we circle back around to Nationals in August and finally Pan American Games a year from now.”
“And what goals have you and your coach set for the year?”
“I’m hoping to qualify for worlds in the one hundred and two hundred meters back and free. It’d be nice if I could medal at some point in an individual medley too. My times during the Grand Prix and Speedo Champions series will tell the tale.”
“What about relay teams? What spots have you claimed?”
“I’ll be swimming the freestyle in the two hundred medley and backstroke in the four hundred medley. I’ve also got the spot in the eight hundred freestyle relay.”
“What’s your training schedule like?”
“I swim between six and eight thirty in the morning, lift weights after breakfast and grab a run after lunch, I’m back in the water from three to five and finish out the day doing abs before dinner.”
Usually by the end of the week Nick was ready to collapse. His coach gave him most of Sunday off, which was nice. Gave him a chance to get in touch with the real world, spend time with friends and vegetate in front of the television for a few hours.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t continue being your coach, Nick. I felt you deserved someone who could focus on your needs, and not be distracted by other commitments.”
“No worries.
I’m glad you recommended Greg. He’s great and we work well together. We really appreciate CAL letting us use the facilities.”
His alma mater had been very generous in letting Nick use the pool to continue his training. The fifty meter by twenty-five yard pool allowed Nick and Greg to set up the facility to their desires, depending on how they wanted to structure their training for the day. They got a reduced rate for the facilities in exchange for Nick wearing a CAL patch on his warm-up suit. That was no hardship for Nick since CAL had provided him with full scholarships to fund his education and room and board for four years.
“How are your endorsements looking this year?”
“Our big coup was nailing sponsorships from General Mills and Adobe. We’ve signed endorsement deals with TYR, Custom Swim Caps, and Omega watches.”
“Are you still looking toward London in 2012? Itching to get back on that podium?”
“Absolutely. We’ll see how the next year and a half goes. If I can continue to medal in my events then I would say a medal in London is within reach. You know better than anyone that once you arrive anything goes, but I’ll give my best effort.”
“And Mason?”
“What about him?”
“Gabe’s a good kid. Studies hard, swims harder, but he’s not Olympic material and he knows that. I’d hate to see him get hurt or swept under the rug by your ambitions. Given the fact that you are currently training full time and plan to attend both national and international meets, how many hours can you really commit to a relationship?”
It was a valid point, even if Nick didn’t want to admit it. Over the last three weeks he and Gabe had managed to find a few hours every couple days to spend together. Some nights Nick ended up hanging out at Gabe’s apartment with Phil, Dan, and Dom while his boyfriend studied. Nick loved it when Gabe sat with his head in Nick’s lap reading one of his huge history books. He and Phil had come up with a game where they would randomly ask Gabe historical questions and see how accurately he could respond. They’d taken to befriending Google for obscure factoids about history to test Gabe on, and despite Gabe’s specializing in Medieval history, more often than not he answered correctly with an adorable little smirk on his face.
Once the Grand Prix started and Nick began traveling more, it would be tough to be away from each other, but he was willing to do whatever it took to make things work. Gabe’s sweet and generous nature touched Nick’s heart. And when they kissed? Oh man, Nick’s heart felt as though it would explode from his chest. He’d taken more cold showers in the last three weeks than were probably healthy.
“Gabe and I met at a club three weeks ago. What we have is young, but I’m not opposed to telling you I think it could be something special. He has ambitions as much as I do, so don’t look at him as some docile little lamb who’s about to be swallowed by the big bad wolf. In respect to him being hurt, do you really believe that I’m the type of person to care more about winning than I do about the people around me?”
“No, I don’t believe you capable of callousness, but sometimes we hurt the ones we love the most without even realizing it.”
“Coach, I’m not saying that this relationship will be easy. We have to deal with factors that average couples our age don’t, but I have a feeling the effort will be worth it.”
“All right, Jackson. Get out of here, and get your man some dinner. I’ll try and get here early tomorrow so Greg and I can catch up.”
Nick smiled and tossed the stopwatch at Meran. “Take a peek.”
Coach Meran looked down and smirked. “Well, I’ll be damned. That’s a personal best. You may be on to something, Jackson.”
Nick saluted and headed for the locker room doors. He was about to pull it open when Gabe came barreling out, running smack dab into Nick’s chest. Nick wrapped his arms around Gabe and inhaled the fresh, clean scent in Gabe’s dark hair.
“It that Aussie shampoo?”
Gabe slid his arms around Nick’s waist and nodded slowly. He pulled back, and Nick saw the flush beneath Gabe’s tanned cheeks.
“I like the way it smells. How did you know?”
Nick laughed. “Because I use it for the same reason.” He saw the mirror of his laughter in Gabe’s eyes. “Come on, sweetheart. What’s your normal dinner?”
“According to Phil, I always have a chicken Caesar salad and V8 Fusion peach mango.”
“Not bad choices. But what else have you eaten today?”
“Well, let’s see. I had couple eggs with fruit and milk for breakfast. Then I was in class and grabbed a PB and J for lunch and then I had another class. I don’t like to swim on a full stomach so nothing before practice. Now it’s dinnertime.”
Nick slung his arm around Gabe’s shoulder, and the two of them headed out of the building. “You need to add some lean meats to your diet, and complex carbs before a workout will keep your energy up. You don’t have to stuff yourself, but it’s important to be well fueled. I forget, when do you get your weight training in?”
Gabe reached for his ever-present shades. “Phil and I usually swing through the gym three nights a week after we’ve done, or I guess I should say after I’ve done my homework. Lately we’ve been doing that on the nights you stay home.”
“Phil doesn’t have homework?”
“He’s a Fine Arts major. His work is mostly done during the day in the studios. Um, Nick?”
“Yeah?”
“Are you sure this is okay? Walking together like this? We’re in full view of anybody walking around campus.”
“I don’t broadcast my sexuality, but I don’t hide it either. My coach knows, as does most of the national team. I get heckled from time to time, but I don’t let it bother me. What about you? Are you out?”
“I’m in the same boat as you. I don’t really know how many of the team or my classmates are aware that I’m gay. I’d be lying if I said coming out to California, specifically to Berkeley, wasn’t influenced by me not wanting to be in the closet any longer.”
“Good. Here’s what I suggest. Normally I would have done my abdominal work before dinner, but if you’re anything like I was in school, then you’re starving. So I suggest we grab a snack, hit the gym at my place and then you and I can have dinner tonight together. Think you can keep up with me?”
Gabe squeezed the tight ropes of Nick’s biceps and triceps then gave his body a once-over. “Probably not, but I’m not averse to trying. Tonight’s Phil’s and my normal workout night. I’d hate to leave him in a lurch. Do you mind if he comes along?”
Nick’s arm dropped to Gabe’s waist and guided the man in front of him, keeping Gabe imprisoned in his grasp. “Not so long as I get the chance to steal a few kisses between sets.”
Gabe’s wide smile caused Nick’s heart to skip a beat. Gabe slid his sunglasses up, and his green eyes sparkled with happiness and maybe a hint of desire.
Chapter 4
GABE’S quads gradually transitioned from the comfortable warmth of a good run into the burn of pushing his body past its complacent endurance. His feet pounded against the treadmill, and sweat dripped down his bare chest. His eyes trained on the sight in front of him. Nick hung in the air in the captain’s chair. His large hands gripped the handles and he lifted his legs to his chest. Gabe watched each of the individual muscles in Nick’s torso contract with each lift, and the whipcord muscles in his arms tightened as he supported his body.
Nick moved over to the incline bench. He picked up a pair of dumbbells and proceeded to lift each one over his head in an alternating pattern. Gabe watched as a drop of sweat slid down Nick’s torso. Gabe licked his lips and tasted the salt from his own sweat. What would Nick’s body taste like? Gabe had the urge to jump off the treadmill and straddle Nick’s body to run his tongue along all those glorious muscles pumped from Nick’s work out. He could see it in his mind.
Nick and Gabe were alone in the gym one night. Nick laid out on the bench press, his stomach tightening, his arms bulging with each lift of the
bar over his head. Gabe slowly closed the distance between them. Nick slid the bar over his head into the supports, and the two metals clanged as they met in the empty room. Gabe straddled the bench and stood over Nick, imprisoning him to Gabe’s desires. He sat on Nick’s thighs, and Nick’s hands came down to rest against Gabe’s hips.
“What are you gonna do to me, Flipper?”
Instead of answering, Gabe leaned down and nuzzled along Nick’s throat. The damp skin smelled of musk and man, with an underlying hint of Nick’s aftershave left over from that morning. Gabe’s tongue flicked out to taste the salt on Nick’s skin, and they both moaned. Gabe’s hands slid down Nick’s smooth body. He loved the silky texture of the hairless skin beneath his fingers. So soft, and yet the firm muscles rippling below him kept Nick’s body hard. The contrasting sensations increased Gabe’s desire to explore further.
Gabe placed little kisses across Nick’s chest. He sucked on the protrusion of Nick’s collarbone and licked at his Adam’s apple, which bobbed as Nick swallowed hard. Nick’s hands slid up Gabe’s back, and those long fingers dug into Gabe’s shoulder blades. Gabe slid up Nick’s body till their lips met in a kiss that should have turned the room into a blazing inferno around them. Nick’s hands moved down to Gabe’s ass and squeezed. Gabe felt Nick’s arousal against his and rocked against the hard column hidden inside Nick’s workout shorts. Gabe’s moan was answered by Nick’s hips arching up to rub their erections together. Their mouths fed off one another as the friction of their slick chests caused Gabe’s nipples to tighten. Gabe’s hands touched and grabbed anywhere he could reach up and down Nick’s body. Abruptly, Nick sat up, taking Gabe with him. Gabe’s arms came around Nick, and his hands speared into the damp ends of Nick’s hair. Nick’s mouth wrenched away from Gabe’s, only to attack the corded tendons of Gabe’s neck. Nick lightly bit down on the muscle between Gabe’s neck and shoulder, causing Gabe to cry out. The sound echoed in the room―