Even though he has half the story, I listen to his words and let them wash over me. Gratitude in my eyes, I nod to him.
Akara keeps a strong arm across my shoulders. Even it if means reaching up some to reach my height. At the sound of splashing, our heads turn. Attention veering on the mermaid.
Sulli pulls herself out of the water. Not even a glimpse our way, she returns to the block. Her dedication is impressive. And terrifying as hell.
“Should we call it?” I ask Akara.
Concern pulls at his brows. He holds his breath as she jumps back into the pool. “Shit,” he curses.
I lightly tap his shoulder.
He barely flinches. Just checks his watch. “She has to stop on her own time.”
“She’s a cute prune,” I say into a bite of cheese and pepperoni. “But I don’t like seeing her pushing herself like this.”
“You’ll get used to it,” Akara breathes.
“I don’t want to.” Another thought knocks into me. Nearly blows me back. “What if she loses?”
“What?” Akara frowns.
“What if she loses, Akara?” I ask again. “Like no gold.”
He goes stone-cold.
“It’d be bad?” I ask, my gut sinking. The Stromboli not sitting right. She just skipped out on her sister’s sweet sixteen. She’s missed birthdays. She’s missed family charity events. She’s missed everything since she started training. I need this to be worth it for her sake.
Akara runs a hand through his black hair, pulling at the strands a little. “Yeah, it’d be bad. Really fracking bad.” We exchange a graver look.
I’m praying that’s not gonna be her reality.
GBANewYork.com – July 26th
Akara Kitsuwon & Banks Moretti React to the 400m IM Upset, Sullivan Meadows Taking Silver
Standing poolside, bodyguards to Sullivan Meadows show clear concern and devastation as Meadows places second in the 400m IM and fails at defending her gold. A now infamous photo has circulated tabloid and sports covers since the crushing upset last night. In the picture, Akara Kitsuwon is crouching with steepled fingers to his agonized face, and Banks Moretti remains standing in an utter state of shock—one hand on his head and another hand on Kitsuwon’s shoulder.
More videos are trending of their instant reaction to the loss, as Moretti and Kitsuwon are not just bodyguards but boyfriends to Sullivan Meadows. The confirmation of their polyamorous relationship back in late January has been a hot button topic all year long. Tomorrow night, Meadows will return to the water to defend yet another gold. This time, in the 200m freestyle event against teammate and rival Frankie Hansen.
24
AKARA KITSUWON
NOW
I hate watching this.
Banks white-knuckles the back of my shirt, standing a breath behind me and watching over my shoulder. Sulli swims like she was born in the water, but I can’t stand how close Frankie Hansen trails her in the 200m free.
“Fuckfuckfuck,” Banks curses, still clutching my tee. His jaw tics as he clenches his teeth. Breathing hard through his nose.
Press bleachers are packed to our right, and half the cameras are now on us. We’ve graced every major news and sports cover for simply caring about our girlfriend. Knowing she’d be hurt taking home her first silver. Knowing she’d consider second place a defeat like the world keeps spinning it.
It’s not.
She medaled at the Olympics. How many will ever get to say that? Banks is right when he read the magazines this morning and said, “Fuck everyone to hell and back who keeps acting like she’s not an Olympic phenomenon.”
Still, we want this win for Sulli.
So I’m wincing as Frankie closes in on Sulli’s lead. “Shit,” I curse out loud. Banks doesn’t even bother slugging me.
“Meadows at the turn,” the sports commentator says nearest me. “Hansen gaining at the final fifty, and at poolside, the boyfriends of Meadows are holding their breaths with the rest of the world.”
Yeah we are.
And we could morph into statutes. We’re experienced at that. Give them next to nothing to work with out of spite and duty to our jobs, but ultimately, Banks and I decided we’d rather be written in the history books as caring about our girlfriend than standing emotionless as bodyguards.
I love that I’m not poolside alone. I love that Banks is experiencing the on-the-edge anticipation of Sulli swimming for gold up close and with me.
I catch his shoulder, excitement surging as Sulli pulls out further. “She has this.”
“Come on, mermaid,” he whispers.
Everyone in the stands are on their feet. Roaring and cheering.
“The final stretch,” the commentator announces. “Hansen is closing in! Look at her speed!”
No.
No.
Banks is clutching my bicep. His fingers digging into my flesh while mine dig into his shoulder. No, no, no.
She’s can’t lose another one.
She can’t.
It’s going to kill her.
It’s going to kill me.
“Hansen and Meadows! They’re neck and neck now! Final twenty!”
Cheers and screams and horns blast off in the stands. I imagine her family are among the supporters with just as much lively fervor. I wish I could jump up and down with support, but I can’t move. Like if I make a single twitch, she’ll falter and lose focus.
“She’s going to do it,” Banks says in a last-ditch hope.
I blink, and it’s over.
It’s over.
“Hansen takes gold!” the commentator yells in surprise. “Holy cow! Meadows takes silver for the second time in Los Angeles. Another upset. Two silvers for Meadows at the Olympics. Zero golds.”
“Fuck.” Banks buries his head in my shoulder as he releases his grip. “Mother of fuck…” He growls into my trap, and I rest a hand on his neck.
“Shit,” I breathe out, chest tight.
We let go of each other and watch Frankie. Seeing the scoreboard, her hand flies to her lips and she immediately breaks down in uncontained, overwhelmed tears.
The Olympic commentators barely focus on Frankie. One near me says, “Everyone is wondering how Meadows will take this loss. Two nights ago, she was not happy about silver in the 400m IM—wait, it looks like she’s ducking under the ropes.”
Sure enough, Sulli swims under the lane ropes, crossing two lanes to reach Frankie. I watch our girlfriend put her arms around the young swimmer and give her a hug. Frankie cries harder, happy tears.
My muscles tighten, emotion surging. I know how hard this is for Sulli.
Banks has a softened expression, his lips slowly lifting. Sometimes I see how much Banks admires Sulli, and I think, shit, how long did I know he liked her? How long did I keep them apart?
It’s too late to change the past, but I also tend to believe this is how we were supposed to come to be. Us three.
“Meadows embraces Hansen and Hansen embraces Meadows—this is the Olympic spirit right here, people. Teammates supporting teammates.”
Sulli whispers something in Frankie’s ear. Frankie laughs into a big smile and they both exit the pool together.