Chapter 18

The remainder of the preliminary heats continues without a hitch. As time approaches for our 4x200 IM relay, we mentally prepare for the event to come. We make our way to the pool deck when it is time and begin to loosen up the only way we know how. Stretching in a huddle, we begin to sing Miley Cyrus,’ “We Can’t Stop,” and, of course, all eyes are on us. Near the end of the song, we stand and try to relax our muscles by shaking our arms and legs, and then we head to our lane.

“Hey, y’all. Let’s kick some ass Southern style,” I say to the girls.

“Hell yeah! Charley, you get us started off right,” Georgia says. “Let’s see if we can really leave those Davidson girls speechless.”

We put our goggles in place and focus on the event. Glancing in the stands, I notice my family, Cash, and other teammates looking in our direction. I have to say the entire conversation with Dustin was beyond weird, but in a way, I’m relieved. I give them a little wave, jump up and down to get a few jitters out of my system and take a few deep breaths as I wait for the announcer to tell us to enter the water. Then, I hear him.

“Swimmers 4x200 Individual Medley Relay. Backstrokers, enter the water feet first.” Plunging into the water, I feel my nerves vanish as I grab the start block. “4x200 Individual Medley Relay. Swimmers, take your mark.”

There is slight pause before the buzzer sounds. Arching my back as I burst off the wall, I kick with everything that I have. There is no holding back like I did in my individual event. This is for the team, and we are going to leave them all speechless if I can help it. Cutting my arms like blades through the water, I make it to the flags with ease and continue to push myself to beyond my breaking point. On the final lap of my leg of the race, I truly let go of everything that might be holding me back and jet half of a pool length ahead of the others. When my fingertips touch the time pad, Georgia jumps in. Tori pulls me from the water, and I’m cheesing from ear to ear. She points toward the time board. As I look at my leg of the race, chill bumps cover my arms. I have just beaten my own personal record as well as Southern’s record, and if all goes as planned, we will be one step closer to Olympic Trials.

Focusing back on the water, we all cheer as our teammates glide through the water, keeping the distance between the other teams. On the last leg, we begin to jump up and down as Sarah brings it home. When she taps the time pad, we all turn straight to see the official time.

We don’t say a word; we grab each other and begin to scream like little girls with excitement. OMG! 9:22:46! Keeping our composure together, we make our way from the deck and toward the stand. We are still beyond excited. We broke not only our record but also Southern States.

Coach meets us at the entrance to the stands with open arms. She is one proud mama bear of her cubs. “I believe a little Ben & Jerry’s is in order. What y’all think?” We hug a few more seconds before going to our seats.

When we get there, the guys from Howard tell us congratulations, give us high fives, and ask if we can join their team. We all cut our eyes and tell them no. One guy looks heartbroken as he places his hand over his heart and pouts. It is beyond adorable. I look at Tori, and she is definitely taking him in. I nudge Georgia, and she laughs.

“I bet she gets his number or meets up with him in the locker room before this day is over. Whatcha think?”

“I’m not taking that bet because we’d be on the same side,” I say as someone’s arms wrap around me from behind. Cash.

Turning around, I hold on to him tightly, hearing a teammate yell for us to get a room in the background. I just turn and grin.

“That was beyond amazing,” he says.

“I know, but not as amazing as you. Thank you for everything.”

“I know I shouldn’t be over here with the teams, so can you come over here for a few?”

“Yeah, just let me let Coach know.” I tell her and make my way to my parents, Tessa, and Dustin.

“Ohmygosh, Char! That was freakin’ ah-maz-ing! You kicked ass!” Tessa exclaims.

“Tessa! Watch your mouth!” Mama says.

“Well, it’s the truth. Anyways! I wish you could have heard everyone up here. They were all running their mouths beforehand, and then they shut up quick when you left them all behind. If this is just preliminaries, I can’t wait to see what y’all do tomorrow.”

“I know. I hope we do this well again. We really need those times in the actual events instead of today, but hey, it was worth it, regardless.”

“We’re so proud of you,” Mama says as she pulls me in for a hug and gets soaking wet.

I excuse myself from everyone and go back to my teammates. We take turns going to change as our events come to a close for the night. I shower quickly before returning and watching the final two events.

As the preliminaries come to an end, we gather our things and make our way to the van. Our first stop is Ben and Jerry’s. Who needs supper when you can have ice cream?