Fighting to Win (The Elite Book 1)

by Nicole Flockton

  His response was to frame her face with his hands and kiss her. Just as when she dived, her body took over, relishing in the touch of Mitch’s lips against hers. His arms wrapped tightly around her, holding her close.

  Everything felt perfect in that moment.

  But she was also aware of where they were.

  With a twist, she broke the kiss and looked into his blue eyes shining with emotions she hadn’t seen in a long time. Her heart caught in her throat. So many feelings were swirling through her: excitement, shock, happiness, love. Too many to comprehend on a pool deck surrounded by the world’s media. Her coach. The millions of people watching on television.

  “We have to talk,” she whispered.

  Mitch nodded. “I know.”

  “Julia.” This time it was Mick’s voice she heard over the rabble of the crowd. “You don’t have time for this.”

  His words were like a dousing of cold water. It would likely be hours before she and Mitch could talk. There was the medal ceremony. Press conferences.

  As if reading her mind, Mitch nodded again. “Go, enjoy your moment. You deserve it, and you’ve earned it. I’ll be waiting for you. However long it takes.”

  Julia didn’t doubt the truth of his words. “I’ll find you.”

  With those parting words, she turned and walked through the throng of cameras and people, accepting congratulations as she made her way back to the locker room.

  Nothing was better than this.

  * * *

  Julia kept touching the medal hanging around her neck, sure that if she didn’t, she’d wake up and find out that she still had to compete. Physically, she may be sitting in the press room, answering questions the reporters were flinging at her, but mentally she was anywhere but there. Obviously, she was doing a good job as there didn’t appear to be any long pauses or weird looks sent in her direction.

  Finally, the press conference was winding down and she would be able to get out of here. Hopefully, Mitch was waiting outside for her.

  “One final question,” said the press conference organizer. Hands raised around the room, and the girl pointed to a reporter at the back. “You.”

  “Hi, Julia. Congratulations on your win.”

  “Thanks.” Immediately she went on guard, all her senses on alert. The guy’s smile and stance reeked sleazeball. Surely this wasn’t the same guy who’d caused issues at Mitch’s press conference. If so, the publicity people for the team needed to be fired. They should’ve made sure the guy had his press pass revoked.

  “There was a pretty public display of affection between you and Mitch Osborn after your win. The rumors surrounding a reconciliation between the two of you have been rife. So have you and Mitch reconciled?”

  After the way the press had been more than happy to crucify her on speculation alone , politeness now was overrated. Not to mention she’d won her medal, she’d answered the questions asked of her. It didn’t matter to her what she said now.

  “Last I knew, this was the Olympic Games and not The Bachelor or Keeping Up With the Kardashians. I don’t actively seek to have my personal life splashed across the gossip Internet sites. So I say it’s none of your damn business, and the fact that you can make the last question about me and not ask one of the ladies on either side of me about their accomplishments is a disgrace. I may have won the gold, but this press conference shouldn’t be about only me.” Julia nodded her head at the reporters gathered. “Thank you for your time.”

  She stood and walked out, the high from her win draining away, all because some stupid reporter asked a question she didn’t have an answer to. She and Mitch hadn’t talked in days. She could be facing the possibility that the kiss he gave her and his request to talk after her win was all a good-bye. She couldn’t bear it if that was the case.

  Not paying attention to where she was going, she barreled into a hard body. The arms that enclosed her were immediately familiar.

  “Hey, where are you off to in a hurry?”

  She looked up into Mitch’s gaze. God, how had she ever survived the last few months without him in her life?

  “I’m sorry,” she said.

  “What for?”

  “For the whole thing with Brett.”

  Immediately Mitch tensed, his arms becoming steel bands around her. The hallway they stood in would soon become inundated with the people from press conference. A bunch of reporters didn’t need to overhear this conversation. Julia grabbed Mitch’s hand and headed out of the building.

  “Where are we going?”

  “Somewhere we can talk in private.”

  Just before they reached the exit, the door opened and two Olympic officials walked in. The tall, dark-haired one Julia recognized as Griffin Tyler, the head of the Aquatic Committee, and she assumed the other red-haired man was his associate. In their black pants and red blazers, they looked formidable and impeccable. She stepped to the side to let them pass, but they stopped in front of her and Mitch.

  “Ahh, Julia, just the girl we are looking for,” said Griffin.

  Dread the size of a cannonball landed squarely in her stomach.. The last time officials came looking for her it was to tell her she was being investigated for allegedly bribing the judges. Her fingers tightened around Mitch’s. Thank God he was standing beside her this time. Although it wasn’t in his best interest if they told her they were stripping her medal for some reason or another.

  “What can I do for you?” She sounded calm even though her heart rate had increased by a hundred beats per minute in the last thirty seconds.

  “Let’s find somewhere less open to talk.”

  “Sure, Mr. Tyler.” Her voice shook a little, and when Mitch loosened his hold on her hand, she was sure he was about to leave her alone to face whatever bad news they were about to impart. Her body sagged against his when Mitch slung an arm around her shoulders and pulled her in tightly.

  Without another word, they headed back the way she and Mitch had come from. Griffin opened a door and flicked the light switch. It was a small office he led them into, its plain white table and black chair screaming temporary. Was it a sign that the medal she still wore around her neck was temporary too?

  There weren’t enough chairs in the room, so Julia stood to one side while Griffin propped his hip against the table.

  He cleared his throat, ratcheting up her nerves another ten places. “Julia, last year some serious allegations were made against you.”

  Oh man, here it is. The words she was dreading. She’d never be able to go back to the States and hold her head high. How could she prove this time that she didn’t bribe the judges? There was no way anyone would believe her. Who would do something like this to her?

  The thoughts couldn’t be contained no matter how she tried.

  “I didn’t do it then, and I didn’t do it now,” she blurted out, her hands clutching the medal she’d earned fairly.

  “We’re aware you were cleared, and we’re not suggesting you’ve done anything wrong.” Griffin paused, and some of the tension within her poured out. “That’s what we’ve come to tell you. We know who was responsible for the allegations.”

  What? They’d found the person? Julia had had no idea the matter was still being investigated.

  “Who was it?” Mitch asked the question she couldn’t form. His voice was strong and pure and holding a tinge of anger.

  “Trina White. We caught her this evening speaking to a reporter, once again accusing you, and your coach this time, of talking to the judges about giving you favorable scores.”

  Julia would’ve crumpled to the floor if Mitch hadn’t been holding her. “Trina,” her voice squeaked out. “Trina did this to me? But why? We’re teammates. Sure, we’re competitors, and I’ve always felt that she doesn’t really like me, but I would’ve never thought she’d go this far. How can you be sure it was her?”

  “We’ve spent the last hour questioning her extensively, and she finally admitted that she was the one who contacted
the reporter last year.”

  She let what Griffin told her sink in. No fucking way. Why Trina would do something like that to her? Had she hoped Julia would just accept the allegations and quit the sport? Had Trina wanted a place on the team that badly that she would stoop that low?

  “I don’t understand any of this,” Julia whispered.

  Griffin came forward and patted her on the shoulder. “It is a lot to process. But I wanted to let you know that we will issue a statement on our findings, and that you’re now fully exonerated.”

  “This will kill Trina’s career.”

  “Perhaps she should’ve thought of that before sprouting lies about you. And she’s going to know about it when I see her next.” If anything Mitch seemed angrier than her.

  “I trust you won’t do anything silly, Mr. Osborn?” Griffin directed an imperious look at Mitch. “The matter is now closed. Nothing good will come of confronting her.”

  “Really,” Mitch sneered. “Do you know how much pain Julia went through last year? What we both went through because of one jealous woman’s actions?”

  Griffin waved his hand. “Be that as it may, two wrongs don’t make a right. I suggest you let us handle it.”

  Julia rubbed her hand up and down Mitch’s back. “He’s right, Mitch. Let them deal with it. It’s over, and I’m pretty sure these are my last Games. I won gold. I don’t want anything to tarnish this moment.”

  Mitch turned, his eyes blazing with anger, which quickly cooled when he looked at her. “Are you sure about this?”

  “Yes. When it all comes out, Trina will be the one to have to live with the knowledge that she’ll never be able to compete again.”

  “Listen to Julia,” Griffin advised. “Enjoy the last few days of the Games.” With that he looked at his associate, who had stood quietly in the corner through the whole discussion. “Congratulations to both of you on your victories. You’ve represented the United States admirably.”

  Griffin left her and Mitch alone in the room.

  14

  Mitch blew out a breath as the door closed, sending the remaining anger burning inside of him with it. Even though part of what had happened between him and Julia in the last year had been sorted out, there was still the matter of her and Brett that he needed answers about. Ignoring it wouldn’t make it go away. It wasn’t going to go away until they faced up to it and he knew exactly what had gone on with Julia and Brett.

  He gathered the strength needed to ask the question he should’ve asked a long time ago.

  “What happened with you and Brett? Were you really seeing him while you were seeing me?”

  Julia’s eyes widened before her lashes dropped down. When she opened them again, he could see the glimmer of shame and guilt in their depths. “Nothing. Nothing happened between Brett and I. I used him and that photo deliberately.”

  “Used him how?”

  “To break up with you.”

  “That’s a really shitty thing to do.”

  “I know, but you wouldn’t listen to me, Mitch. I had to do something to make you see that being with me while the investigation proceeded wasn’t good for you.”

  What in the hell was Julia talking about?.

  “Why? Why was having my support so bad that you had to deliberately set out to break up with me?”

  “Mitch, you broke three world records. Sponsors were clamoring to get you to endorse products. Being associated with me in any way had the potential to affect those deals. As it was, people started to question your records, whether you had bribed your fellow competitors to let you win. You didn’t need my scandal to deal with as well.”

  “I would’ve handled it. I didn’t need you to protect me like that. Do you know how it felt to see that picture in the paper and then hear you tell me you were seeing Brett and didn’t love me anymore? It just about killed me.” His voice broke.

  “It wasn’t easy for me either,” she mumbled looking down. “I never wanted to hurt you. And while it may not make sense to you now or then, it made perfect sense to me. If I had to do it all over again, I would do the exact same thing. I wasn’t going to let you lose sponsors or have your career tarnished because of a scandal involving me.” She paused. “You were the king of swimming, had proven yourself over and over. And even though I was world champion, the title was being questioned. I wasn’t in your league. I wasn’t a true champion. How could I be worthy of your unfailing support?”

  That cut deep. How could she think she wasn’t worth his love and support? He would do anything for her. He’d never stopped loving her while they’d been apart.

  “Did you ever love me like you said you did?” he asked the question burning deep inside of him. The way she’d acted with him these Games couldn’t all be an act, could it? When she turned away, all hope drained out of him. Then she turned back to face him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears in the muted light of room.

  “Yes.” The word sighed out of her. “Don’t you see? If I didn’t love you so much, I wouldn’t have cared what the hell happened to you or your career. If I didn’t love you, I would’ve used your name in any way I could to clear my name. If I didn’t love you, I wouldn’t be standing here now, seeking your forgiveness for hurting you so badly.”

  Julia walked toward him, her eyes never leaving his. A single tear trailing slowly down her cheek. She stopped in front of him and placed a hand on his chest. His heart kicked up a notch. “Please forgive me, Mitch. I didn’t want to hurt you, but I had to in order to keep you and your career and name safe. I’m sorry.”

  Her words seeped into his soul. What would he have done if the roles had been reversed? If it had been him who was accused of bribing the judges or something worse? Would he be man enough to sacrifice his feelings to keep her safe?

  Yes.

  Unequivocally, yes.

  He would do whatever it took to protect Julia. He loved her enough to set her free. Like she had set him free. Only they would never be free of each other. This past week and half proved that; the invisible thread of love pulled them toward each other.

  Seeing her standing in front of him, begging for his forgiveness, proved she still loved him.

  He knew what he needed to say.

  “There’s nothing to forgive in my eyes, but I know you need it. So, yes, Julia, my love, I forgive you. And I understand why you did it.”

  Tears seeped down her cheeks. With a groan he gathered her close, kissing them away.

  “I love you, Jules. I never stopped.”

  Breathing became difficult as her arms tightened around him. “Oh Mitch, I love you too.”

  He lowered his face to hers and captured her lips with his, the kiss a soft exploration of the woman he loved and cherished more than the medals and records he held. While he wouldn’t trade them for all the tea in China, having Julia back in his arms, telling him she still loved him, was a prize he never wanted to let go.

  He pulled away. “Marry me, Jules. When we get back to the States. I want to live the rest of my days with you. Nothing is more important to me than starting a life with you. Say yes.”

  “Yes. Without a doubt, yes, Mitch. I don’t care where we do it or whether we have big wedding or a small wedding. I want you forever. Being apart from you for the last few months has taught me that.”

  He pulled her close and whispered against her lips, “Good, because forever won’t be long enough.”

  THE END

  About the Author

  If you enjoyed this book you can subscribe to my newsletter at http://eepurl.com/TZazH to receive notifications about new release, sales and other pieces of news. Please also consider leaving a review. Reviews help authors.

  On her very first school report her teacher said ‘Nicole likes to tell her own stories’. Many years later she eventually sat down and wrote her first book.

  Nicole writes sexy contemporary romances, seducing you one kiss at a time as you turn the pages. She enjoys taking two characters and creating uniqu
e situations for them.

  Learn more about Nicole Flockton at http://www.nicoleflockton.com.

  @NicoleFlockton

  NicoleFlockton

  authornicole@nicoleflockton.com

  Coming Soon

  Fighting to Dream - The Elite Book 2

  Drake Roberts bounced down into a squat, grimacing at the sharp needle of pain in his knee. He grit his teeth and rose up again, hoping against hope his coach hadn't seen his face. He'd told Len his knee was fine. That he was fit to compete in the Olympics.

  Now he was here at Rio.

  These games were going to be his last. He hoped to win a medal. He didn’t care what color. Anyone would do. If he won, his dad would stop lamenting how he'd missed out on Olympic glory and his son had achieved what he hadn’t been able to do.

  Some would say Drake was living his father’s dream. He couldn’t deny it, he was. When he’d won silver at the world championships for the 1,500m race, he thought that might be enough for his dad, after missing out on a medal in the 2012 Olympics. Unfortunately, his win had only fueled his father to push him to work toward trying for another Olympics. After all, his father said, he got silver and if he worked harder he could get gold.

  So now here he was, in the training room at Rio, nursing an injury he’d hidden from his father. He’d told his coach it was okay but he’d aggravated it when he’d taken a run around the Olympic track the day after he’d arrived. He should’ve given his knee a chance to recover from being cooped up in a plane for over eight hours.

  While the buzz of being at the Olympics was something you couldn’t adequately describe to anyone unless they lived it themselves, he wanted it all over. Once it was all over he could announce his retirement from competitive running and his life wouldn’t compose of getting up at the crack ass of dawn to practice and travelling all over the States from meet to meet. He might be able to have a normal life. Although what was normal? If he didn’t win gold his father would no doubt push him to try again for the 2020 olympics. He would be thirty then. He really didn’t want to do another four years of training.