19. Camden
Camden
I couldn’t have felt less safe.
We were all done. Our events were over. And we were in third.
One place away from not getting a medal.
And it was crazy because we had done so well.
Japan and Ukraine just did better today.
We were waiting for China and Great Britain to finish.
China was on rings, not their strongest event, and Great Britain was on floor.
Something technical had delayed their routines.
I was waiting for the numbers from the coaches.
We all were. Luke was on my left side, Tyler was next to him.
Graham was to my right, with Grant pacing in front of us.
I could feel the seat vibrate as Luke’s knee bounced up and down.
I was just as antsy. I looked up as Noah came over.
“For us to medal?” Luke asked.
“Yup.”
Damn. It kind of sucked, hoping that someone else would do poorly so you could medal. But that’s how it was. It’s not like the other teams wanted us to do good either.
I couldn’t watch, so I put a towel over my head. I felt Luke’s hand find mine under the towel and we held onto each other as tight as one would when you were hoping for your first Olympic medal.
It wasn’t just a big deal for us. The men’s team hadn’t medaled in the team finals the last five Olympics, making it over twenty years. They were close last time, having come in fourth. I hoped it wouldn’t be the same today.
I heard them announce Sheng Jiang, and I had to force myself not to hold my breath. It was hard to judge a routine simply from the crowd’s reactions, but I heard Luke say, “I don’t think it was good enough. He cut a few holds too short and wobbled a lot. I bet his execution score is low.”
And sure enough, Luke was right.
“Thank you, Jesus,” I heard Graham say.
“One down.” I could see Grant’s feet going back and forth.
I squeezed Luke’s hand.
Coach came over to us. “Let’s go, gentlemen. We’re watching this one together. Our country’s watching us, and we will be model sportsmen no matter the outcome. Whatever happens, I’m proud of you, and you should be too.”
“Ugh,” I groaned slightly, but complied, dropping the towel on the seat.
The four of us stood up and joined Grant.
We had our team jackets on. I’m sure someone had a flag ready in case we needed it.
Tyler was the first to put his arm around Luke, and the trend continued down the line.
The five of us, connected as one. And then we waited.
“JACK DAVIES, GREAT brITAIN.”
Here we go.
Right away, I could tell he was nervous.
His landings were stiff. He was too tense, and it was hurting his routine.
He bounced on each landing because he locked his knees.
I couldn’t imagine the pressure he felt.
His coaches must’ve told him what score he needed.
I kept from grinning each time he stepped out of bounds, my face like granite.
Anything more would be unsportsmanlike, even though I was completely fucking ecstatic.
It was a tenth of a point for each infraction, but again, it was too close to know with certainty.
He didn’t nail everything, but until I saw that number, I wasn’t celebrating.
It felt like an hour, but it was probably less than a minute. This is it. All our work.
15.033.
Great Britain stayed in fourth. We medaled.
“We fucking did it!” Luke said.
Tyler was jumping up and down. Graham and Grant were hugging. Instinctively, I grabbed Luke and hugged him, tears streaming down my cheek.
“You did it, boys! Congratulations!” Coach said, coming over for a group hug.
Someone had a giant flag out already and draped it around us.
“I am very proud of all of you. Bronze is nothing to sneeze at. It’s the best we’ve done at one of these since before some of you were born.
It’s been a long time coming. You deserve this,” Coach said.
“Thanks, Coach, but none of us would have performed like this without you and the other coaches helping us every step of the way,” Grant replied.
“Hell yeah!” Tyler shouted.
I was so happy. I wiped my eyes as the group hug broke up.
We started waving at our supporters. It was the expected thing to do.
You were giving your thanks to the audience, to the home crowd, and to your friends and family.
I found my mom and Erika, and the girls.
They were all standing and screaming and waving whatever paraphernalia they brought.
I blew my mom a kiss and saw her catch it.
Luke had his phone out and was taking photos of us.
He started snapping selfies and when he came to me, I snuck a quick peck on his cheek.
I’m sure someone noticed, but I didn’t give a fuck.
Maybe I was just an affectionate guy? Or maybe I was just gay as fuck?
He seemed slightly surprised, but smiled anyway. I leaned in to whisper, “For us.”
“Of course.” He winked. “That will be my favorite photo from today.”
We were already in our official Olympic uniforms, so we didn’t need to change for the medal ceremony.
They got us all in the proper order to march out onto the floor, having already set up the podiums after Davies’ routine.
We were the first to get our medals. One at a time, they placed the medals around our necks, and then another person handed us a small bouquet of native flowers.
The medal was heavier than I thought it would be, and I couldn’t resist holding it up immediately.
I felt like my smile was going to break my face.
They announced each of our names and we all waved to the crowd.
This was a serious ceremony, so no selfies here.
We’d have to wait for the professional photos to come to us.
We put our arms around each other for a group shot that someone hopefully captured and then waited patiently, trying not to pass out from excitement.
The Japanese and Ukrainian men received their medals, and then it was time for the Japanese national anthem.
They raised the flags for each of our countries, but only played the anthem of the gold medalist team.
I knew if they ever played the American anthem and I was on the podium for a gold medal, I would cry my eyes out.
Christ, I just won a bronze, and I was crying to the Japanese anthem.
I still couldn’t believe it. We did it! And all of us had a chance for more.
The music ended, and I went over to shake hands with the other teams. I wasn’t sure if it was allowed, but I didn’t care.
I felt like it was the right thing to do.
Kids did it in peewee football, so why couldn’t we?
My teammates followed suit and eventually our three teams were all mingled together, congratulating one another.
I mean, I knew who most of them were from Worlds.
Male gymnasts were a small family, and at our level, it was even smaller.
Also, Hadeon Mazur was the Eastern European version of Luke and I might have stalked his Instagram a few times. He pulled me in for a hug.
“Great job, man,” he said in practically perfect English. “I want to vault like you.”
Well, find a hot guy and do sexy things with him.
“I wish I had your stamina on the horse,” I responded. And possibly in the bedroom. How was I still this horny after last night?
He smiled and stepped back. “See you on the floor. We both made it,” Hadeon said.
“Sweet. See you then.”
Do not blush, do not blush.
Each team came together for one last group wave and then we collected our stuff and headed out of the arena, so they could clear the audience and get it ready for the girls’ last training sessions.
“Can we get this thing wet?” asked Tyler, holding up his medal, as he paraded around the locker room, completely naked except for his medal.
“I hung up mine with my towel,” Grant replied.
“Mine’s in my locker,” I answered.
“You let it out of your sight?” Luke asked.
“What? It’s not like anyone is going to break in here. Have you seen the security?”
Woodward and the rest of the coaches walked in and before he could say anything, Tyler said, “We know, we know. You’re super proud of us and all the work we’ve put in, but it’s not over yet.
We have the event finals coming up, so don’t let this win go to your heads and don’t get crazy drunk tonight… or something like that.”
“Well, since Tyler knows me so well,” Coach said, “maybe he should be a coach.” I swear I heard him say ‘smart ass’ under his breath. “I guess I have nothing left to add.”
“Sweet! I can finish scrubbing my naked body in private then,” Tyler said.
“I was kidding, Tyler.” He rolled his eyes. “You guys have a press event in ten minutes. Try not to tell off any reporters today. As for after that, team dinner to celebrate. We’re taking all of you out. Your families can come too.”
I couldn’t help but glance at Luke, but he was facing the wall. I couldn’t see his face.
“I don’t expect you all to go straight to bed after dinner, but Grant and Graham, keep in mind, you have the all-around in two days.
You need your sleep. The rest of you have more of a break, but I expect you to follow your training routines.
We’ll all have Wednesday off, but training sessions every other day.
More medals are at stake. Don’t blow it. ”
“No worries, Coach,” Grant said.
The coaches left. They’d meet us a few minutes before the media event.
“Need help over there, Ty?” Luke asked. “Can’t scrub and listen at the same time?”
“I was just giving him shit. They always want to come in here when we’re butt-ass naked.”
“Well, it’s the only time you can pay attention,” I said, rinsing off.
“And no, I don’t need your help, Luke. Unless you need to feel up a real man.”
What the fuck? I couldn’t help but glare at him. And then I noticed Graham smirking, but once we made eye contact, he dropped the grin. Graham knows. Which means Grant knows too.