11. Camden
Camden
Noah was still standing there.
“You gonna say something?” I asked.
“Uh...still trying to find the words. I don’t want to say the wrong thing.”
“How about ‘Good luck out there today, Cam’?”
“Uh, yeah. That for sure.”
“And?”
“I have a lot of questions really, but now isn’t the best time.”
“Well, spit some out and I’ll answer them as fast as I can.”
“Well, I’m surprised you didn’t tell me. I thought you knew I’m bi. I’d be cool with whatever you-”
“I’m gay, Noah.”
“Okay, that’s an answer. Am I the last to find out? Are you and Luke dating?”
“You’re not that last. You’re actually the…” I thought about it, “…the fourth? Erika and Tyler know too. It kind of happened a few days ago. It’s not serious. We agreed to just have fun.”
“Okay, got it.”
We sat there for a minute.
“Is this because of what Tyler said?”
I dropped my gaze. I was a terrible liar.
“Okay, that’s a yes.” He laughed. “Well, I can’t say it’s hurt your performance. If it’s the reason you’ve been doing so well, then keep it up. You’ve been killing it lately.”
“You’re really okay with it?”
“I’m not your dad, Cam.” I winced. “Sorry, poor word choice. I’m your coach, and your friend. I want you to be happy, and I want you to do your best. If you can be your best and be whatever-it-is-you’re-doing with Luke, then more power to you.”
“Thanks, I appreciate that. And I would say it’s been helping. It feels like an immense weight is coming off, and…” I paused, “...we’ve been having a lot of fun.”
He shoved a finger in each ear and playfully said,“La la la...I’m your coach right now. You can have friend Noah back later.”
I checked my phone. “Time to go. I need to warm up.”
“Shit,” he said, looking at his watch. “You do. Let’s go!”
We jogged out of the locker room and found the team over by the horse.
We would get about ten minutes at each apparatus to warm up before the competition started.
The stands were pretty full already. I looked around for my mom.
Once I found the section crowded with red, white and blue gear, the poster board sign made her easy to spot.
I waved, and she waved back. I could see Erika sitting next to her with her family on her other side.
Luke came over to me and whispered, “All good?”
“Yup. The best.” I winked.
“That’s great. I’m happy for you.”
“It feels good. Telling people.”
“Yes, it does," he said. He put his hand on my shoulder. "I’m proud of you.”
Shane called, “You’re up, Luke. Let’s see what you got.”
Luke and I were weak on pommel horse and rings.
The coaches had each of us doing one of them at the Olympics to get the experience, and had both of us focused on building more muscle mass to improve, though being the smaller guys on the team made us more competitive in the other events.
In four more years, we should both be in top condition for all six events, like the twins this go round.
Only the top three scores per team mattered for the team finals.
I wasn’t expecting to make the rings or high bar finals, so my performances on those weren’t crucial as the other guys would likely do better.
I was the best on the vault and quite good on the floor, so that’s where I would shine. Hopefully.
I felt good, however. Even after Noah caught us kissing.
My mind snapped back to the present as the PA system started welcoming everyone to the arena and explained what was going to happen. We all waved to the crowd and smiled at the cameras when they announced the United States, and waited for the rest of the announcements.
It would be chaotic, as gymnasts would use five of the six apparatuses simultaneously, causing the crowd to cheer and react at odd times for some athletes.
With experience, you got used to tuning it all out.
You had to or you wouldn’t make it. College meets were noisy and great preparation.
International competitions were a little more reserved, unless the host country had athletes performing and then it was crazy.
Tyler said he almost couldn’t hear the announcements in Tokyo since Japan was in their qualifier group.
Thankfully, Australia’s team didn’t qualify.
Only one Aussie gymnast had, and he was in one of the later divisions.
Coach gathered us for one more pep talk before we started.
“Remember, there are still two more rounds of qualifiers after us, including Japan, China, and Great Britain. Russia is our biggest threat right now. Do better than them and we have an excellent shot, but try to do way better than them. I want us to be so far ahead that the other teams waiting think they have no chance of catching us. USA on three!”
We put our hands together.
"1-2-3."
“USA!!” we cheered. And then each of us retreated a bit into our own habits and routines.
Tyler chilled and watched everything around him.
The twins liked to isolate and listen to music.
Luke usually did this as well, but today he sat next to me.
This didn’t bother me, since my routine was to chat with Noah.
Now, I had Noah on one side and Luke on the other.
“You nervous?” Luke asked.
“Of course, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, who wouldn’t be? This is intense.”
“I think you’ll both kill it today,” Noah chimed in.
“I’ll have to agree with you on that. I need to do really well. There’s a lot at stake.”
“Something besides a gold medal?” Noah asked.
I shoved Luke. I can’t believe he said that.
“What?” he asked.
“Do I want to know?” Noah asked.
“No. No, you don’t,” I said, blushing. “Let sleeping dogs lie.”
“Interesting word choice, Cam.”
Oh, I do not believe I just said that. I hung my head between my legs because I was so embarrassed. Luke was laughing.
“I have to admit. It is nice seeing you guys so relaxed. I’d be pissing my pants right about now,” Noah said.
“Way to snap me back to reality, Noah,” I said.
“Can’t have you going out there with a boner now, can I? Your mom’s here.”
“And now it’s gone.” I shoved him too. “I feel ganged up on. Shane! Where’s Shane?”
He walked over to us. “What’s up, Cam?”
“Make fun of Luke and Noah. They’re ganging up on me.”
“Hmmm, let me think about this.”
Luke and Noah looked up expectantly.
“Luke, you need to post another thirsty shot of your jock-clad bod. You look like you could use a self-esteem boost.”
Oh snap.
“Hey, you’re supposed to be my coach!” Luke complained.
“And as for you, Coach Noah. Not going to insult you, but as a punishment for whatever you said to Cam, you must agree on a wager.”
“Oh, this is going to be good,” I said. “You have to do this, Noah.”
“Fine, fine. What is this, grade school? Do your worst!”
Shane leaned in and whispered into Noah’s ear.
“No fair,” I said.
“What is it?” Luke asked. He was dying of curiosity, too.
I tried to read Noah’s face, but it was impossible. Shane stood back up, smiling. I could tell it was good.
“Does it involve streaking?” Luke asked. “Please tell me it involves streaking.”
Noah ignored him. “I hope this distraction serves you guys well today. Especially you, Cam.” Noah gave Shane a look. Turning back to us, he asked, “You do remember, we’re at the Olympics, right?”
“Oh, I do,” I said, stretching. “Distractions are nice.” I looked over at Luke, and he smiled.
“Did I miss something?” Shane asked.
“I’ll tell you later, secret Sally, but only if you tell me yours.” Luke stuck his tongue out.
“Hey, you’re representing America. Where’s your red, white and blue tongue ring?” Shane asked.
“Go do horsey things,” I said, pushing Luke away from our coaches. “You’re up soon.”
And he was. It was happening. We were at the Olympics, and the Olympics were happening. It was unreal.
Not only had Coach tried something new with the whole relaxing before the games routine this past week, but he had also changed up the order we would perform in each event.
In the past, the weakest on the apparatus would go first, and the strongest last. The theory was that if the weakest athletes underperformed, then the best athletes could handle the pressure placed on them to do better.
It had never made sense to me, so I was glad he changed it.
Today, the best, based on training, previous scores and all that, would go first and hopefully do well.
The subsequent guys would then carry that momentum into their routines, theoretically giving them a boost. We were about to find out.
Tyler was up first on horse. Luke would be last.
A lot was going on. Russia was on rings, Brazil was on floor.
There were cameras everywhere. I drowned it all out, staying focused on my teammates and coaches in the moment.
I watched the guys stay loose and poured all my good energy toward Luke.
He seemed nervous. He caught me looking at him and smiled.
I mouthed, ‘You’ll do great,’ and his smile got bigger.
“TYLER HALE, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”
Here we go. I hated the pommel horse. I was getting better at it, but it was still my weakest event.
It was the only event I wasn’t doing today.
It was too late now, but I wish I had done more with it.
Maybe I could’ve tried for the all-around.
I was just going to forget that for now and focus on what I could do.
Tyler and Grant did really well. Graham missed a transition, which caused him to fumble his dismount a little. His score was about to be announced. I texted Luke quickly. I knew he was about to get up.
Cam: :-*
He looked straight at me and smiled.
Luke: Right back at ya, handsome.
Graham’s score came back. Pretty good, even with the mistake, and we still had Luke. Shane walked over to him as he stood up. They chatted. He was presumably getting one last pep talk.
“LUCAS RIVERA. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”
My heart practically squeed.