Tumbling Dreams

Tyler Bannichek has spent his whole life training for this moment, his shot at the 2012 US Olympic team and gymnastics gold. He's worked past the injuries and the blocks, focused every moment of every day on improving his skills. Now, at the peak of his talent, just in time for the world's biggest stage, he should be thrilled. Instead, long-suppressed fear is rising like ice water in his veins.

Eli Nelson has roomed with Tyler for two years, cheered him on through every obstacle. But now, watching Tyler in the trials, Eli is also afraid. When does friendship mean letting someone take their own risks? When does it mean speaking out to save them? And how can he pretend to be just a friend when he's falling in love with Tyler?

Tumbling Dreams is a 21,000-word stand-alone novella featuring two young men weighing goals, risks, fear, and love, in the crucible of Olympic sports. This story originally appeared in the "Going for Gold" anthology.