Cheater: A Summer Games Short Read (Going for Gold) Read Online Free PDF Page B

You could learn a lot about a person from just standing back and observing. On a table in the center of the room, the American swim team danced to the catcalls of several women. I’d left Colorado Springs and apparently landed in the middle of a frat party. Hedonism was supposed to begin once the competition had ended. People were putting the cart before the horse. Weren’t you supposed to kick the other athletes’ asses on the field and then make up later?
    “They are a bunch of crazy people.”
    My head popped toward the voice. The beautiful gymnast from the day before was standing beside me, watching the amateur strippers pull a few others to the tabletop.
    “Who knew we’d get dinner and a show?”
    “It’s like an orgy here.”
    Boy, did I know it. It was a wonder anyone actually competed in a sport. Most of the men were constantly dick wagging to establish superiority. Who knew what the women gained from the experience? Maybe there was a secret hose-collecting competition and the inches were tallied in some private room in the village.
    “Have a seat, Snow.” I pulled my tray directly in front of me, giving her plenty of room to join me.
    “Snow?” She plopped her tray of fish and broccoli next to mine. “What is this Snow?” Her voice was tinged with an accent.
    “You remind me of a fairytale princess with dark hair, ivory skin, and lush lips. I believe there were little men and a magic apple as well.”
    “Hmm, and if you were one of my little men, which would you be?” Her ripe, red lips curled into a smile.
    I thought about her question and went through the names in my head. Weren’t they something like Mick, Grumpy, Sloppy, Shy, Happy, Jumpy, and Dorky? “Well, I could never be called little, but if I were one of your men, and I had to choose today, I’d be Grumpy.” I speared a piece of broccoli and put it into my mouth.
    “So, today you are Grumpy; after your first gold medal, you shall be Happy.” Her English was perfect, but a hint of a sexy French accent made it memorable.
    “Collette, is it?” I’d never forget it. Her name on my lips felt like success. “I’m going to take home that gold, and for the rest of my life I’ll be Happy.”
    “I think that is a very wise plan, Mr. American Gymnast.” She played with the fish on her plate.
    “I’m Alec Maes. It’s nice to meet you, Collette from somewhere in Canada.”
    “How did you know?”
    I pointed to the Canadian flag on the chest of her T-shirt. “You wear it proud.”
    She laid down her fork and held out her hand. “I am Collette Lamont, originally from Quebec, but I’ve been living and training in Toronto for years.” She dipped her head and looked at me from under her lashes. “You can call me Snow if you’d like. I’ll call you Grumpy until that gold is hanging from your neck.”
    Something told me that Collette Lamont was going to be the light in my darkness. She spread a beam of sunshine on an otherwise gloomy day. I wiped my hands on the napkin and held her tiny hand in mine. “Well, Snow, what should I call you when that first gold medal hangs around your neck?”
    She plucked a piece of broccoli from the plate with her fingers. Nibbling on the edges, she appeared to contemplate my question. I knew when she’d reached her conclusion because her eyes danced with delight.
    “You can call me Your Highness.” She bubbled with laughter.
    For the next thirty minutes, Snow and I bantered back and forth. This was her first time to the Games. She’d entered the sport late and hadn’t fully bloomed until just after the London Games. She was twenty-one. She’d won worlds last year, which gained her the attention she needed to get to Rio.
    After dinner, she followed me into the gym, where my coach was waiting. When I entered with someone other than Bryn, Nick’s eyes grew wide. Collette bid me good luck and walked to the beam. I would have loved to see her routine, but I had work to do.
    One pass was all it took