5. Camden
Camden
I don’t know how I got through today’s workout and did so well.
I was kind of pissed the whole morning. Luke hadn’t responded to my texts and a large part of me wondered if he regretted what we did.
Was I too forward? Did he not want to hook up again?
Though when he and Tyler walked into the locker room, my thoughts seemed to melt away and I couldn’t help but smile.
And then Coach Woodward dropped several info bombs. Luke had a boyfriend. I could’ve shot through the roof.
Who the fuck was he?
And then I got scared.
How did someone find out about us that quickly?
And then Luke was dating Jake Anderson, and I wanted to punch something.
A lot of somethings. Jake Anderson, to be specific.
And then Luke explained he and Jake weren’t a thing at all.
He hadn’t looked at social media today, because of course, his phone was dead.
He hadn’t charged it in my room. It was all so simple now, but I had been overthinking way too much that morning.
I’d really need to rein my imagination in.
What was he doing to me? He was everything you wanted and more, dummy.
He was so good in the gym today and I was so proud of him for handling the locker room situation like that. He was so fiery. That kind of brashness was one thing I liked about him.
I tried to ignore him all morning, but my eyes kept finding him. And then I’d catch him watching me and blush. I needed to be more careful.
“That’s it for the morning, guys. Hit the showers,” Coach Woodward said.
“Oh, and one more thing. It’s kind of a surprise, really last minute, so, sorry...
but cancel any plans you had for tonight.
You guys are going on a surprise wellness retreat just for the night and part of tomorrow.
We’ll see you at two p.m. at the transport center. Text me if you have questions.”
“Woop woop!” Tyler yelled, jumping up from where he was sitting next to Luke. “Seriously?!”
All of us headed to the locker room while Tyler didn’t shut up about it.
For whatever reason, I hadn’t thought about showering with the guys until I got to my locker, turned around, and saw Luke pulling his shorts off. Fuck. It was different.
I quickly turned, trying to forget what his ass felt like the night before. Not helping, dick. I threw my clothes in my locker and wrapped the towel around me like a dick shield as I headed for the showers. Thank God for partitions.
Each team had their own time in the facility, and there was security too, so we didn’t have to worry about sharing with France or Russia or anything like that. It was just the five of us.
“So...you guys wear my underwear?” Luke asked the twins.
“Well, one, it’s not your underwear. It’s our underwear,” Grant replied.
“And two, is that a problem?” Graham asked.
The memory of pulling off Luke’s jock last night had me grateful for the high partition. I turned to face the wall and noticed Tyler looking at me. “See something you like?”
“Of course I like you, Cam. And you were great out there today. You must’ve had your Wheaties!”
“Something like that,” I said.
“Oooh...who was she?” Grant asked.
“Give him a break, Grant,” Luke came to my defense.
“I bet it was his left hand instead of his right,” Graham said.
“Maybe you guys are the ones that need to get laid,” I suggested.
Two versions of ‘ain’t that the truth’ were uttered, and then Luke said, “Seriously, guys, thanks for being so supportive of me. I...uh…Shane’s told me you guys have had the press bugging you, and I’m sorry-”
“Do not finish that sentence, Mr. Rivera. You do not need to apologize.”
“Tyler’s right, Luke. It’s not a problem. It’s not an issue. You’re like our little brother, and that means we love you. And we’ll do anything for you. And I would give you a hug right now, but we’re both naked,” Grant said with a chuckle.
I was almost in tears. These guys were the greatest.
“Thank you. That means a lot to me,” Luke said, and he glanced over at me. I smiled.
“That goes for me too, Luke,” I said.
“So, what do you think about this retreat?” Tyler asked, as I finished up.
My dick had softened enough that I could walk to the lockers without everyone staring. Well, everyone minus Luke hopefully. I wrapped the towel around my waist, sat down, and got my phone out.
Luke: That depends. Is the menu the same?
Fuck. I quickly grabbed my briefs and tugged them up, keeping the towel on, before any of the other guys finished showering. I had the rest of my clothes on and was about to leave when someone grabbed my shoulder. I turned.
“Wanna get lunch?” Luke asked.
“Uh...sure. I can wait.”
“Sweet.”
I fiddled with my shirt collar as I waited outside of the locker room.
God, I was so nervous. He’s going to notice.
Pull yourself together, Cam! My phone vibrated and I pulled it out.
It was an Instagram notification from Luke.
A photo of him in the locker room, in just a towel. Looking like a demigod.
Awesome training session today with the guys. And I’m hungry for more. #training #brolympics
Is he quoting my text? I could feel my temperature rise. My palms got clammy, my throat dried up, and my cheeks flushed. Luke had me all twisted up, and we had only spent one night together. But it was obvious he enjoyed it, too.
I’ll have to ask if he wants to come over again. It was too much fun, and even if Luke didn’t feel as strongly, I needed to ask for myself. I was going to get whatever I could while it lasted. And I could be playful too.
I opened the door to the locker room. “Stop wanking it in there, Luke. Let’s go,” I yelled.
A few seconds later, the door pushed out, and I turned to smile at...Coach, Noah, and Shane. “Uhhh, perhaps you didn’t hear that?”
“You boys and your hormones,” Coach Woodward quipped. “We should have you tested.”
“For what?” I asked, half panicking.
“He’s joking, Cam. Lighten up,” Noah said. “You were joking, right? Cam is a straight arrow.”
Not that straight, Noah.
“Yes, yes. It was a joke. I must be losing my touch. See you tonight, Kane.”
“Yeah. See you, Coach.”
Moments later, Luke waltzed out of the lockers, looking edible as fuck. “Have fun talking about masturbating with the coaches?”
“Oh so much, thanks to your slow ass,” I replied.
“You weren’t complaining about it last night.”
“That...is an accurate statement,” I replied, as I turned and started walking, hoping to hide my enormous smile.
We grabbed something to eat from the dining hall and went outside to this covered patio area, overlooking a small pond and a fountain, with sculptures of athletes all throughout the falling water. I caught him staring at me.
“What?” I asked,
“Nothing. I still can’t believe what happened last night.”
“Would you like it to happen again?”
“Yes. I mean, yeah...if you want to.”
“I kinda do. I don’t know how to explain it, but I was so relaxed today.
Everything clicked into place. Obviously, it’s not because of...
that stuff. But my brain liked it enough to have my body do amazing things today, so...
yeah. I would like that again...I mean, if you do. I’m rambling now, aren’t I?”
“Don’t worry, it’s cute.”
“What’s cute?”
I turned and saw Erika, standing with her head cocked to one side, hand on her hip. Shit.
“Cam wasn’t sure how the team’s new uniform looked on him. I was giving him a confidence boost.” He winked at her.
“Oh, Cam looks good in anything, but if Lucas Rivera thinks he’s cute, that means it’s legit.”
Luke laughed. “He’s easy on the eyes, for sure.”
“Okay, okay. Camden Kane is sitting right here. You want me to blush for the rest of my life?”
“You mind if I grab something and join you guys?”
“Sure thing, Erika,” Luke said.
I lied. “Totally fine.”
We tamed the flirtiness a little after that, and Luke and I were almost done eating by the time Erika came back.
“I forgot I was meeting Ty for a run in a bit, so I’ll see you tonight, Cam. Nice to see you, Erika. Hope things are going well for you,” Luke said.
“I hope I didn’t scare you off, Luke.”
“Nah, I know Cam can’t take anymore blushing right now. The two of us would overpower his sensibilities.”
I flipped him off, and when I was sure Erika wasn’t looking, winked at him. He smiled back.
I picked at what was left of my pasta, but realized I wasn’t talking anymore, when Erika said, “So…” I had almost forgotten she was here. “Did I interrupt something?”
“Wait...what? No. Not at all. Why do you say that?”
“Two reasons. One, you were basically glowing when I walked up. And two, we’ve had lunch at the same time and place for the last three days, but today, no show, no text. Something’s up.”
“Okay, Detective Erika. Any other clues?”
“Your text last night. ‘It was perfect.’” She batted her eyes, and mock-gazed into the distance.
I looked at her and my mouth kind of hung open, and my brain tried to make words. Honestly, I think it tried.
“We still haven’t talked about last night, Cam. How was the guy? Was he cute?”
“He was...good.”
“Good? I thought it was perfect? Why are you backtracking? Wait, was it someone I know?”
Cue my terrible poker face.
“It is, isn’t it? But why would you not want to tell me?”
There was no point lying to her. I was a terrible liar to strangers, let alone my best friend.
“It was Luke, alright, Nancy Drew.”
She dropped her fork. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah, it was Luke. And it was perfect.”
“That is crazy! You met on Grindr? How did you not know? What was it like?”
“Let me get a few words in and I’ll tell you!”
And so I told her the whole story, mostly. My crush. The headless Grindr photos. When he showed up at my door. A little after that. She respected our privacy to an extent and didn’t pry into a lot of the sex stuff, for which I was thankful.
“Oh my god, Cam. That is amazing. But why haven’t you ever told me you were crushing on Luke? How could I be so blind?" She paused. "You’re on the same team! That works two ways!” She laughed at her own joke.
“I don’t know.” I ran my hands through my short hair and rubbed the side of my face, trying to think of an answer.
“I guess the best way to explain it…how do I say this? If I didn’t say it out loud, then I couldn’t be disappointed if it didn’t come true.
Honestly, I also never thought he’d ever feel the same way.
I’ve trained with him for over a year and not once have I ever felt like he was interested. ”
“Newsflash, Cam. You were straight to him. He probably doesn’t find it healthy to lust after straight dudes.”
That’s true. “I hadn’t thought of that.”
“So, are you going to see him again? Is it serious?”
“Yeah, I may have fucked that up too.”
“What did you do?”
“I kind of...may have...suggested...we keep it casual and then end it once the Olympics are over.”
She stared at me. “You? Casual?” Her bark of laughter was loud enough to turn a few heads around us. “It’s sweet of you to want to try, but I know you. You definitely want more than that.”
“I know I do. But what was I supposed to say? Let’s be exclusive and move in together?”
“Whoa, boy...dial it down, Cam. How about something like, ‘Hey Luke, I really like you, and I want to see if this chemistry can go somewhere when the Olympics are over. You want to try dating when we get back home’?”
I sighed. “Damn, Erika...that was good.”
“I know.”
“But I’m too afraid of scaring him off. I don’t think he’s dated anyone before. Maybe he’s not into getting serious?”