Page 113 of Stroked Hard
I don’t have to look at a replay to know I nailed it. As I resurface, there is no doubt in my mind that I won gold as I hear the crowd chanting USA .
It felt flawless, gliding through the air, and seamlessly entering the water like a needle, barely making a splash.
I kick to the top, reach the side of the pool, and pull myself out. The stands are going crazy, competitors are congratulating me, but I only have one thing on my mind. Find Holly.
Grabbing my shammy, I dry my head off and head toward the coaches’ section where I see Holly sitting in her chair, facing me with the biggest smile on her face, her hands clasped together at her chest. As I approach, I see tears of joy in her eyes, andthat’sall I fucking need. When I reach her, I break down. Squatting next to her, I cry into her lap while she hugs me from up above.
“I’m so proud of you, Hollis. You fucking did it.” One hand is hugging me, the other is running through my hair. “You did it.”
I look up at her, my vision blurry, and I say, “This gold is yours, sis.”
She grips my face, her soft palms roughing up my scruffy jawline. “It’s ours, Hollis.”
This moment, this one right here is one I will never forget. I brand it into my memory, not missing one detail: pure joy and pride in Holly’s expression, the crowd chanting for my country, and the sweet smell of victory once again.
Three-time Olympic gold medalist. Fuck that sounds sweet.
I’m put into a whirlwind of interviews, congratulatory hugs, and finally the medal ceremony where I cry like a baby while my country’s flag is raised into the air. I have no shame; it’s an emotional moment, knowing you’re the best in the world at what you’ve trained for endlessly.
As I stand there with my hand over my heart, my medal draped around my neck, and a weird statue thing representing the Rio games, all I can think about is seeing Melony after this. I already have my feelers out—thanks to Reese—to find out where she is.
***
Reese: Outside the aquatics center with Jasper from production. If you hear from Paisley, please let me know.
The poor fuck. Paisley bolted and Reese hasn’t heard from her. Must be something with these women—they love not communicating. Paisley leaving has had a huge effect on Reese though. He’s always struggled with his mental game, and with his girl going radio silent on him, I’m worried how that’s going to affect his ability to swim his best. Given his last swim of his career is coming up, he better find a way to toughen up his mental game, or I might just have to bitch slap him into getting his shit together.
Luckily, I’m still at the venue. I just parted with my family after they hugged me for about an hour. I told them I would meet them for dinner in half an hour, and hopefully Melony will be with me.
Jogging out to the front, I spot Melony right away. She’s decked out in red, white, and blue and looking fine as hell in cut-off shorts and a tank top. Fuck. I love this girl.
Yup, no doubt about that. One hundred percent I’m in love with her.
My melodrama with Melony is very similar to Noah Calhoun and Allie. He’s been pining after her, she’s too scared, too afraid to commit even though we are clearly the obvious choice when it comes to lifelong partners.
Women, they can be so fucking stubborn at times and when they’ve been scarred and burned, they are drastically more stubborn, unwilling to put themselves out there again.
I get it. Men can be dicks. We can easily destroy the mental state of a woman with the wrong words. Hell, women have the same power over men. What really needs to happen is we all need to stop fucking around, be nice to each other, and just enjoy the simple things like making out in the back of a car, holding hands while watching a movie, and watching the smile you put on your partner’s face when you do something funny.
To me, love isn’t complicated unless you make it.
Not wanting to waste any more time, I walk right up to Melony, sling my arm over her shoulder, and interrupt her conversation with Bodi Banks, who is holding on to a woman I’ve never met before.
“Well, if it isn’t my favorite person.” Stunned, Melony looks up at me, clearly not happy with my claim on her. Fuck it, I don’t care. I nod at Bodi to acknowledge him. “Hey, Banks.” Turning to the girl he has in his arms, I say, “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Hollis Knightly, and you might be?”
“Ruby Hearts.” She smiles brightly past a full set of blonde bangs. She’s cute.
“Nice to meet you.” Noticing Bodi’s claim on her, I say. “I see you’re romantically involved with Bodi Banks here. How’s that been?” Bodi and I have never been the best of friends. He’s more closed off, doesn’t like to joke around that much, unlike me. I don’t think he understands my sense of humor, that or he doesn’t think I’m funny . . . nah, that’s impossible. I’m a funny fuck.
Ruby glances at Bodi and then says, “No complaints.”
“No complaints?” Bodi protests, speaking up.
“What do you want me to say? That you’re a stallion in bed and the reason you keep winning gold is because of the extra fin in your pants?”
A bark of a laugh escapes me. Fuck, looks like Bodi Banks has himself a little spitfire. I like it and from the amused look on his face, he does too. Good for him, he deserves someone in his life. I hate seeing the sorry sap walking around alone all the time.
“Oh fuck, she’s a keeper,” I say while calming down my laughter and grabbing Melony’s hand, who tries to shake it away. Too bad for her and my steal-trap grip, she’s not going anywhere. Turning to her, I smile and say, “Come on, Hot Sex, let’s get some dinner.” Nodding at Bodi, I continue, “Good swim today, dude. Congratulations. Nice meeting you, Ruby.”
