Cheater: A Summer Games Short Read (Going for Gold) by Kelly Collins

watched her my whole life from afar. She trained at the same gym and dated one of the former Team USA gymnasts. One day when I was leaving the gym, she asked me out. That night I received my first blow job, which included some deep-throat action and swallowing. How could I not fall for her?
    The announcer called Gabby’s name, breaking my train of thought. I stood on my seat and shouted at her. She gave me an enthusiastic wave. Next to her was Bryn, whose demeanor matched that of a serial killer. How she could be mad at me was beyond me.
    Gabby bumbled her second pass by stepping outside the line. My heart broke for her. She had too much forward motion to stop. When she finished her routine, she smiled, but I knew she wanted to cry. Her score wouldn’t keep Team USA from making the finals, but it might prevent her from qualifying for the individual round. With competitors like Collette nailing their routines, Gabby didn’t have much of a chance.
    Bryn was next, but I was expected in the gym. Besides, I had no desire to cheer for her anymore. I could still support Team USA without rooting for Bryn individually.
    When I entered the locker room, it smelled like perspiration and defeat. Hundreds of athletes would rotate through, but few would emerge victorious. I wasn’t leaving Rio without at least one medal. I wanted gold, but the color wouldn’t define me. What defined me was the journey.
    Wade sat on a bench with his head cradled in his hands. Nick paced around him. “Damn it, Wade, if you have Zika, I’ll kill you myself.”
    Wade lifted his head. “You’ll have to wait in line. I’m pretty sure Alec is in front of you.” Several of our teammates snickered, letting me know the truth had already spread through the team.
    I took in a deep breath and glanced around the room, daring any of them to say something. The first one that mentioned my dick in the same breath as Bryn’s name would find his teeth in his stomach. Understanding looks were all I saw on the faces of my team. They surrounded me and clapped me on the back. Camaraderie.
    Coach pressed a bottle of water into Wade’s hand. “Drink up. You’re up first.” Coach wasn’t an uncaring man, but this was his chance too, and Wade was his golden goose.
    “I’ll be all right. I ate seafood outside of the village, and I think it might have been bad.”
    Cole walked by him. “It’s great that you’re holding back to give the rest of us a chance.” Cole knew that Wade was driven by competition. If he wound him up enough, Wade would find the energy to compete at his best. He might be dying in bed tonight, but he’d never let anyone best him if he could help it.
    After we changed and stretched, we began our walk into the arena. Nick grabbed Wade’s arm and one of mine to hold us back. “I’ve heard enough to know what’s going on. Bury it. You two are the glue of the team. Without glue, we fall apart. When you get home, I’ll supervise the blood match, but for now you’re brothers.”
    “It’s under control, Coach,” I said, and I meant it. I’d had some time to think about the situation. We were all at fault.
    I’d chosen poorly when it came to girlfriends. Bryn was simply scratching an itch she couldn’t control. And Wade was thinking with his dick. I wasn’t ready to hug and sing “Kumbaya,” but I could table my feelings until after the Games.
    Nick nodded and let go of us so we could join our teammates. As the captain, Wade took his place at the front of the line, and I fell into step behind him.
    It was painful to watch Wade compete. To the common eye, he moved through the rotations with ease, but those of us who knew him could see he was holding on by a thread.
    The day’s events finished on the floor. In one of the strength components, Wade dipped slightly. Although he recovered, it would cost him at least a tenth of a point. That meant I had to step up my game on my worst event.
    Before it was my turn, I searched the arena for