Healing Us: Sports Romance, A Comeback Uncovers Love by Abi Josselyn

bye but Beth now had Ben and Lizzie to look forward to
at the games. Her instructions from Ben were clear and she decided once she had
proof, the evidence would be turned over to Seth. Being involved closely with
an international investigation would be too much stress and it would negatively
impact her race.

Chapter Eighteen
     
    Beth walked into her suite and was immediately met by
Heather.
     
    “We need to talk but all track and field athletes are to
report to the Bolt track in 30 minutes. You can deliver your diatribe when we
get back tonight. I’m sure you’re going to lecture me on the importance of the
purity of the sport and so on. You don’t know how common the use of PEDs is
Beth and as long as I stay one step ahead of the IDTF then I’m golden.”
     
    “I’m in a good place right now and I can’t say your problems
are at the forefront of my mind. The only thing I feel for you and Elijah is
pity and sadness. I’ll see you at the meeting.”
     
    As they filed into the conference room at the track
facility, no one knew what the subject of the meeting would be. Beth assumed it
would be to congratulate those who were moving on to the Olympics and to take
care of administrative details.  Beth took her seat next to Dixie who made the
team in her hurdle event, which wasn’t a surprise.
     
    “Hey Dixie. I never see you out and about, which I’m sure is
because your busy with your family.”
     
    “Julian is a handful and Samir helps but I’m still very
busy. We’re planning our lives beyond the games, which is stressful. Many
people don’t plan for a career beyond the track and we don’t want to be like
that. Samir got into medical school so now I have to figure out what to do. I
always thought I’d like to coach high school track but who knows.”
     
    “Do you know what’s on the agenda for this meeting?”
     
    “I know only because Samir works at the hospital where the
IDTF has a lab. They are ramping up their testing because word came down that
something suspicious is happening here at Apex. Heads will roll if anyone tests
positive.”
     
    Beth tried to act surprised. “Oh, that’s a shame.”
     
    Seth walked up to the podium and started his speech. He had
a serious look on his face that Beth had rarely seen. “As all of you know,
rumors run rampant around Apex. If I had it my way social media would be banned
on the entire campus. I ignore most of it because I don’t care who’s dating who
but when it concerns a serious issue like PED’s I listen. In my experience
rumors are just that – rumors and hope that’s true in this case. Starting right
now, you will all be tested more often than usual. Not everyone will be tested
but you’ll be chosen randomly.”
     
    Beth looked towards Heather and she was unfazed by Seth’s
comments which meant she knew what was coming. Beth knew she would have to rely
on Ben’s plan to put an end to Heather’s illegal actions.
     
    Seth finished his speech. “I’ve posted a schedule for your
workouts for the next three weeks before we head out for the games. You can
contact the travel department to fine tune your flight plans. The IOC has
provided a schedule and as you can see track and field events don’t start until
the second week. That means you’ll be bored for the first week and I encourage
everyone to cheer on the American competitors. Don’t pull any bonehead moods
before your events because it will not only make you look stupid but Apex and
the US as well.
     
    When Beth made it back to her room she came across Elijah
and Heather who were chatting about nothing in particular. Beth had to bait
them into a conversation and press record. She would play it for Seth and the
fiasco was out of her hands.
     
    “Aren’t you nervous of getting caught after today. Someone
must have tipped off the authorities,” Beth asked as she covertly pressed play.
    Heather was obviously wearing the pants in the relationship
because Elijah didn’t open his