by Niles, Naomi
“I see,” Coach replied. “Is there something in particular they’re worried about?”
I sighed. “My mother is… better. It’s my dad… He’s worried that I’ll get distracted.”
“Ah.” Coach nodded. “Well, I can understand that. Distractions have a habit of derailing even the most talented athletes. That’s one of the reasons we dissuade any romantic entanglements with fellow swimmers.”
“I remember the rules,” I said.
“There’ll be plenty of time for distractions after the Olympics, Jessica,” Coach said, giving me a gentle nudge. “You can focus on parties and men after the games are over.”
I thought about what my father would say to that, and I imagined the disapproving look on his face. He’d be happy to keep me locked in a tower between competitions until I was an old maid.
“The girls’ locker room is through there,” Coach said, pointing it out to me. “You can walk around for a bit, get the feel of the place until the rest of the team shows up. Shouldn’t be long now.”
“Thanks, Coach,” I said. “I’ll see you out there.”
“Put your game face on, Jessica.” Coach smiled. “It’s going to be a good few months.”
I watched her walk away and then looked around at the expansive halls and corridors of the facility. I could spy the boys’ locker room from my vantage point. It was settled on the opposite corner of the massive circular room. I turned to the large windows that overlooked the facility’s neatly kept lawns and let out a breath of air.
It felt nice to be out. It felt nice to be somewhere other than home. It felt nice to have some semblance of freedom without my parents looking over my shoulder every other minute. I turned from the windows and walked into the girls’ locker room.
Two neat lines of lockers flanked a low bench. I walked between them and found my name on the right-hand side just under a tag that read USA. Seeing my name on that locker never failed to send shivers down my spine. I was already feeling exhilarated, and I wasn’t even in the pool yet. I had just finished putting my things into my locker when I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket.
I sighed when I saw the name emblazoned on my screen. I would have loved to simply ignore the call, but I knew he would only keep calling until I picked up.
“Hi, Dad,” I said into the receiver.
“Jessica.” Dad’s voice was low and businesslike. “Are you at the facility?”
“Yes, Dad.”
“You should have reached it ten minutes ago.”
“I did,” I replied.
“You didn’t call to say you’d arrived.”
“I… I’m sorry,” I said lamely. “I forgot. I ran into my coach and we got to talking… it completely slipped my mind.”
“Well… that’s okay,” Dad replied grudgingly. “I was just wondering if you’d gotten there all right.”
“Of course I did,” I said, trying to curb my irritation. “The facility’s only a ten-minute drive, Dad. I’ve known this route since I was nine years old.”
“Hmm… I’m just excited for you,” Dad replied.
“I know you are,” I said. “But, Dad… I’m going to be training hard. I won’t always have time to check my phone or return my calls. I need to focus. I need to keep my head in the game.”
“Of course,” Dad replied immediately. “I know you do. I wouldn’t expect anything less from you either. I just… wanted to wish you good luck on your first day.”
“Well, consider me wished,” I said gently. “Thanks, Dad.”
“You’ll be home tonight, yes?”
I suppressed a sigh. “Of course.”
“What time should we expect you?”
“Any time after eight.”
“That’s not very specific, Jessica,” Dad replied. “You need to be home early so you can get a good night’s sleep. Otherwise you’ll be useless for practice tomorrow.”
“I’ll be home no later than nine, Dad,” I replied.
“Good,” he said with satisfaction. “I’ll see you then. Good luck. Oh, and, Jessica?”
I glanced up as I heard the sound of footsteps and talking. “I can’t talk now, Dad; the rest of the team just arrived. Bye.”
I didn’t wait to hear his reply; I just hung up as the girls entered the locker room. They were divided up into little groups, all involved in their own conversations. They had probably spent the whole of yesterday establishing bonds and friendships that would last through the training cycle. I tried to suppress my jealousy as I shoved the rest of my stuff into my locker.
“Hey, you’re the last one, aren’t you?” a tall redhead asked as she stuck her hand out to me in greeting. “I’m Michelle.”
“I know,” I replied. “You competed in the 2008 games.”
“I competed in the 2012 games, too,” she replied. “But I can’t fault you for not remembering. I didn’t place well.”
“Don’t start with that again,” a young blonde girl said, rolling her eyes. “We heard all about your poor placement in the last games. We don’t need to hear it again.” She turned to me and smiled. “I’m Megan, by the way.”
One by one, the girls introduced themselves. They seemed like a nice bunch, but I could feel a sense of alienation in their presence. I didn’t live in the house with them, and that made me an outsider. They would be friendly, they might include me in their conversations, but I wasn’t really a part of the pack.
“You look pretty low for someone who’s training for the Olympic games,” a sharp voice said from beside me.
I turned. The girl was a few inches shorter than me with a small agile body, a mop of curly black hair, and dark-blue eyes. She had a small sprinkling of freckles over the bridge of her nose, but they were barely visible.
“What’s got you down?” she asked directly.
“I… nothing,” I stammered ineffectively. “I’m just… I’m fine.”
She shrugged. “If you say so. I’m Winnie.”
“I’m Jessica,” I replied, shaking her hand.
“Yeah, I’ve seen you compete.” Winnie nodded. “You’re good.”
“I’m decent,” I said.
“Ugh, don’t be modest,” Winnie said, wrinkling her nose at me. “I loathe modesty… especially when it’s false, but more so when it’s not.”
“Umm, okay,” I said.
“You’re taller in person,” Winnie said, glancing at me. “Five-seven?”
“Five-eight actually.”
Winnie nodded. “Thought so.” She turned around to glance back at the other girls, who were standing around their lockers. She had obviously caught a snippet of their conversation because she inserted herself right in the middle of it.
“For God’s sake, Heidi,” she groaned. “Can you give it a rest about Kev already? It was a mistake committing to him right before training. Just forget him.”
Heidi narrowed her eyes at Winnie. “He’s my boyfriend,” she snapped. “I miss him.”
“Well, you won’t miss him for long,” Winnie said, wagging her eyebrows at the girls. “Not with all the A-grade meat running around in their Speedos.”
The girls laughed, and I realized they were used to Winnie’s bold tongue and they weren’t offended by it. I was a little jarred by her personality, but I couldn’t help but like her. Winnie had a straightforward, confident air about her. It made me feel awkward and clumsy in comparison.
She turned to her locker, which was right next to mine, and pushed her stuff in carelessly. Then she turned to me with interest.
“So how come you’re not staying in the house with the rest of us?”
“I live only ten minutes away,” I replied.
Winnie accepted this without question, and I breathed a sigh of relief. I didn’t know why, but I cared what she thought of me. There was something about her that I liked instantly. I wasn’t sure whether it was her careless attitude, her blunt manner, or her confidence, but she impressed me. In some respects, she was the kind of girl I had always wanted to
be – unapologetic and self-assured.
Winnie pulled out her swimsuit and held it up as though she were appraising it. “Hmm… I’ll have to pad up the girls,” she said seriously.
“Umm, why?” I asked, genuinely curiously.
“Why?” Winnie repeated. Then she laughed. “Oh, my dear, sweet Jessica… I see that I’m going to have to take you under my wing.”
“Oh no,” Michelle said loudly. “Run, Jessica. Run now.”
“Fuck off, Michelle,” Winnie said sweetly as she turned her gaze back on me. “Do you know who we’re sharing this facility with during training?”
“The men’s swim team?”
“Correct. And the men’s swim team is made up of a bunch of chiseled Apollos in minimal clothing. And that means we’re going to have to do our best to get their blood boiling, hence the padding.” Winnie held her suit up against her body. “I’m going to do my best to make their Speedos a little tighter… you know… see what we’re working with.”
I stared at her in shock for a moment before the whole locker room burst into raucous laughter. I found myself smiling, too, and then I was laughing alongside the rest of the girls. I’d never met anyone like Winnie before. She was so… raw, almost to the point of vulgarity, but somehow I didn’t mind. In fact, I found that I actually enjoyed her crudeness. She was uncensored and, given that I’d spent my whole life under the censorship of my parents, it felt freeing to be around somebody who had no such limits.
I got dressed with the rest of the squad, and we walked out toward the pools together. I felt my pulse quicken a little at the thought of the men’s swim team practicing so close to us. Instantly, my nerves started to kick in. I glanced over at Winnie and wished silently that some of her charisma and confidence would rub off on me.
Chapter Five
Alan
I loved my locker. There was something about seeing your name underneath the emblem of your country that made you feel larger than life.
“Are you done staring at your own name?” Langdon teased. “Or would you like a few more minutes?”
“How about a few minutes without constant commentary?” I suggested with a smile. “That would be helpful.”
“Helpful but boring,” Langdon said, winking at me. “I’m here to make your life as colorful as possible.”
“Is that why you’re here?” I asked. “I thought it was to annoy the crap out of me.”
“I can do both.” Langdon smiled. “I’m multipurpose that way.”
“Joy,” I replied sarcastically.
I glanced around the locker room. The guys were busy getting ready. Some were headed for the pool and others, like Langdon and myself, were going to start with weight training. Patrick was sitting opposite me, his eyes roving around the locker room as though he were studying each guy there.
“What’s that, Martin?” Patrick asked suddenly, as he spotted Martin slip something into his back pocket.
“I… nothing,” Martin said quickly. He was one of the youngest swimmers on the team. Coach Reece had recruited him two years ago, and he had been training ever since. The boy had some raw talent, but his late start was going to be a handicap.
“Doesn’t look like nothing to me,” Patrick continued persistently.
I gritted my teeth. “Why don’t you leave him alone, Patrick?” I suggested in the politest voice I could manage. “Maybe it’s private.”
Patrick narrowed his eyes at me, but he kept the smile on his face. “Aw, come on,” he said in a voice that mimicked friendliness. “We’re all friends here; this is a brotherhood, isn’t it? Why not share? This should be a safe space.”
Martin looked supremely uncomfortable. “I… it’s just this good luck charm I keep with me,” he stuttered in an embarrassed voice.
“How quaint,” Patrick said in that same condescending tone he had used on me outside. “Who gave it to you?”
“My… mother,” Martin said with wide eyes as he tried to hide his good luck charm from view.
“I bet your mommy’s proud of her little boy, huh?” Patrick said. “Going off to be a big athlete at the Olympics.”
“I bet your mom’s proud, too, Patrick,” Langdon said evenly. “But I’m guessing she’ll be more excited to get you out of her basement for a few months at least. Am I right, Patrick?”
The boys laughed lightly at Patrick’s expense, and Martin took the opportunity to put away his good luck charm and move closer to his group of friends. Patrick descended into a moody silence and every once in a while, he darted hostile glances in our direction.
“What are you looking at?” Langdon asked quietly as he sat down next to me on the bench.
“Patrick,” I said, gesturing to him subtly. “He’s not here to make friends, is he?”
Langdon shrugged. “He’s just that type of guy, I guess.”
“He’s the calculating type,” I corrected. “We need to watch our backs where he’s concerned.”
“You really don’t like him, do you?”
“He’s a condescending prick,” I said under my breath. “I have no reason to like him.”
“Don’t let his jabs get to you,” Langdon said. “He’s just trying to get under your skin in the hopes that that’ll interfere with your swimming.”
I snorted with laughter. “I grew up with four brothers. I can handle heckling. He’s got another thing coming if he thinks he can get inside my head that easily.”
“Jesus,” Langdon breathed. “Four brothers… I forget. What was that like?”
“You ask me that every six months,” I reminded him.
“Only because you refuse to tell me,” Langdon pointed out.
I laughed. “Because there’s nothing to tell.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Langdon reached for his Speedo. He jammed it onto his head and turned to me. “Oh no, Alan, look. My swim cap has holes in it.”
I shook my head at him. “You are such a fucking loser.”
Langdon ignored me and turned to the rest of the locker room. “Guys, there’s something wrong with my swim cap.”
The boys laughed at Langdon’s juvenile humor, but I knew everyone was glad for his presence. He could remove the tension from almost any scenario, even if it was with cheap laughs. His little skit was cut short as Coach Reece walked into the locker room with a stern expression on his face.
“Boys,” he said as we automatically crowded around him. “Listen up. As you know, the women’s team will be training in the facility as well. We will be alternating schedules with them, but you will share a common lunch area, so I want all of you to be on your best behavior. Understand me?”
There was a murmur of assent that went through the group and Coach looked pointedly at Langdon. “Ballard.”
“Yes, Coach?” Langdon asked innocently.
“Best behavior,” Coach said pointedly.
Langdon put his hand over his heart and adopted a somber expression. “Best behavior. Even if it kills me.”
I could tell that Coach Reece was trying to suppress his smile as he backed out of the locker room. “Don’t you worry, Coach,” Langdon shouted out after him. “I’ll treat them with the respect they deserve.” Langdon turned to me and slipped his hand into his shorts, pushing one finger up to appear like a boner.
I rolled my eyes at him and turned to my locker. “You are such a child.”
“Why, thank you,” Landon replied, batting his eyelids at me.
“You’re not going to listen, are you?” I asked.
“Would you?” Langdon wanted to know.
“I’m not going to go out of my way to break the rules,” I said with a shrug. “Unlike some people.”
Langdon laughed. “It must be just me then, because when someone tells me I can’t do something, that’s exactly what I need to do.”
“You better be careful. I wouldn’t mess with Coach Reece if I were you.”
“Oh, calm down,” Langdon said lightly. “I’m not planning on doing anything crazy. I
’m just planning on appreciating the fine company of some fellow swimmers.”
“One could argue that you can do that right here in this locker room,” I pointed out.
“Are you willing to suck my balls?” Langdon demanded pleasantly.
I cringed at the thought. “I don’t think anyone wants that job.”
“Umm, first of all, it’s not a job,” Langdon said seriously. “It’s a pleasure. And secondly, every woman who sets her eyes on me has to fight the urge to jump me.”
I laughed. “Who are these women?”
“Women,” Langdon said impatiently. “All sorts of women, women of different sizes and races and ages and… sexual appetites. I appeal to a broad demographic.”
“I see.” I nodded, humoring him.
“My point is that it would be a disservice not to offer up… myself to these fine women,” Langdon said, flashing me his winning smile. “Like I told Coach… I will treat them with the respect they deserve.”
“And that includes your dick?”
“Of course,” Langdon replied. “It’s the best part of me.”
I gave him a skeptical look. “If you say so.”
“You’re just a jealous asshole,” Langdon snapped.
I laughed aloud. “Well, I wish you luck on your conquests.”
“There you go.” Langdon nodded with approval. “That’s being a good friend.”
“And as your good friend, I would like to remind you to wear protection… if it comes to that.”
Langdon rolled his eyes. “Of course it’s going to come to that; look at me. And don’t worry about the protection thing; I came fully stocked.”
“Alan, Langdon!” Kenneth called to us. “We’ve been assigned to the weight room. You guys coming?”
“We’re right behind you, buddy.” Langdon grabbed his hand towel and gestured to me to follow him.
We walked through the facility toward the weight room. There was plenty of light coming in through the massive windows of the compound. It felt like we were somewhere special.
“Fuck!” Martin breathed as he spotted something out of the corner of his eye.
“What is it?” Kenneth asked.
“The pool,” Martin replied. We turned the corner and came face to face with the facility’s indoor swimming pool. “That’s where we’ll win or lose.”