19. Camden #2
“I definitely have more than enough of a real man at the moment, thank you,” Luke answered.
I shut my water off, started twisting my towel, and walked over to Tyler.
Standing in front of him, I said, “And you know he does, you jerk.” Then I whipped my towel at him. Tyler’s whelp echoed loudly through the locker room and he stumbled back into the shower stream. I kept at it though, I was only teasing. I wasn’t trying to break his dick off or anything.
“I concede. I concede,” Tyler begged, while trying to push his hair away from his eyes. “You’re so macho. You’re the manliest man there is. Sneak towel-whipping a vulnerable, naked surfer boy into submission.”
“Always with the snark,” I said, heading to my locker.
“It’s my charm bubbling out in new and hilarious ways,” he called out after me.
The other guys finished too, and were toweling off nearby. Our outfits for the presser were hanging by our lockers.
“This means we can stop pretending like we don’t know, right?” Graham asked.
I thought he was asking his brother, but I glanced at Grant and he was looking at me.
“You mind?” I asked Luke, looking for help.
“Up to you, Cam.”
We hadn’t discussed it, but clearly, Luke had no problem letting them know about us. It was becoming clearer that they already knew. What was the point of hiding anymore with them? It was probably better for them to know, anyway.
“Uh, yeah, Graham. I’m with Luke. We’re together. Like...a couple.”
“We’re dating,” Luke chimed in. “And he’s definitely more than enough of a real man for me,” he continued, glaring at Tyler
Aww. I knew he felt that way, but it was nice to hear it.
I pulled my polo on and walked over to him.
“He’s pretty great too,” I said, leaning in to kiss him.
His mouth opened to receive me, but before our tongues could become reacquainted significantly, I pulled off.
I did not need to pop a semi in front of the guys again.
“I’d say ‘puke’ but gosh darn if it isn’t beautiful,” Tyler said.
“I’m happy for you guys.”
“Grant and I are just glad we can stop pretending now,” Graham added.
“When did you know?” I asked, curious.
“Well, I didn’t assume anything until I saw you grinding on each other at Alibi. I didn’t know you were a thing until I saw you kiss about twelve seconds later.”
Worth it.
Grant finished the thought, “But we saw this coming a mile away. The tension between you two has been pretty obvious for a while.”
“Really?” Luke asked. “I had no clue Cam was gay.”
“Well, you were probably too worried about getting caught staring at Cam that you didn’t notice him staring back at you,” Graham said.
That is probably exactly what happened.
“We’re a perfect match then,” I said. “I feel like I did the same thing.”
“Well, you were the one that walked into my gym. I doubt you noticed me right away. But you came in like the shining sun.”
“Okay, romance novella is over,” Tyler interrupted. “Glad we could all have a bro down. But what are we doing tonight?!”
I knew what I wanted to do, but it did not involve Tyler, Graham, or Grant.
“You mean after dinner?” Grant asked.
“Yup. Dancing again? Game night? Movie? We have to celebrate!” Tyler said, like it was the last day of school.
“How about we think about it some more and we can figure it out at dinner,” Graham suggested.
“I guess I can wait.”
Tyler looked like a sad puppy. “Don’t be so disappointed. You can always hang out with me and Luke.”
“Oh yeah, just change my middle name to ‘Third Wheel’,” Tyler quipped.
“Works for me,” Luke said, earning him a shove.
The press event was simple and, luckily, the douchebag from before wasn’t there, so Luke didn’t get hassled.
After that, we went to go find our families.
With security as tight as it was, they weren’t allowed near the competition floor, so we could really only wave to them in the arena.
I wanted to show my mom my medal. Before he could sneak away, I invited Luke.
“You really don’t mind?” Luke asked.
“Not at all. As long as you’re comfortable being there.”
“I’m good with it,” he answered.
“Good,” I replied, kissing his cheek before we left the building.
They were all waiting for us towards the side of the main entrance.
It was like a tiny cheer squad, with banners, flags, and noise-makers, which thankfully they did not use in the arena.
I saw my mom immediately and ran over to her.
I swept her up in my arms and she squeezed me as hard as she could.
“I’m so proud of you,” she said into my ear. “You did amazing. All your work…”
“...was worth it,” I finished for her.
“Yes,” she agreed, stepped back, and noticed Luke lingering nearby.
“And you too, Luke. Amazing!” she said, as she swept him into a hug as well.
He seemed surprised, but smiled and seemed to relax after a few seconds.
They pulled away from each other and it was only then that I got a good look at who else was there.
I saw the twins with their parents. It looked like their younger sister was there as well.
Tyler was with his parents and two of his brothers.
I knew the older ones had kids, so they probably didn’t make it.
Erika and her family were there as well, including Austin.
She ran over to us as soon as she knew my mom had her turn.
“Cam Cam!” she screamed, as she nearly ran me over with her hug.
“Cam Cam?” Austin asked. “That’s a new one for the Sweethearts.”
“Ugh,” I rolled my eyes. “For the last time, we’re not dating.”
“What’s wrong? Too good for my sister?”
“Leave him alone, Austin,” Erika spoke up.
“Maybe I’m seeing someone else?” I blurted out.
“You are?” my mom asked.
Well, shit. “Uh, I’ll talk to you later tonight.”
My mom seemed suspicious, but didn’t press it any further.
Austin didn’t seem to care one bit, and was hugging Luke.
I could see Luke was unsure of how to handle a physically overzealous and hormonally supercharged high schooler, so I motioned for Erika to deal with it.
Erika leaned in and whispered, “Our parents are right there, Austin. Might want to tone it down.”
“Oh, shit. Right,” he said, flustered. I would think it was cute if it wasn’t my boyfriend he had been hugging. Maybe we should have Erika tell him? It would only get more embarrassing for him if he kept doing stuff like this around Luke, anyway. I’d have to talk with her later, and run it by Luke.
Erika’s parents came over and congratulated me and Luke. Thankfully, the Foxes weren’t coming to dinner since Erika had her team final tomorrow . She gave me a final hug, I wished her luck, and then they left.
“That Austin sure is something.”
“What does that mean, Mom?”
“Nothing. He just seemed really excited to see you guys. I didn’t know he was so into men’s gymnastics. He barely shows up for Erika’s stuff at the college.”
Well, Mom, he wants what’s under Luke’s clothes.
“Teenagers!” I said. I didn’t know what to say.
“You’re a teenager, Cam,” she pointed out.
“True,” Luke interjected, “But Cam’s very mature for his age.”
“I’ll believe that when I see it.’
“Mom, you’re supposed to think I’m amazing.”
“I think that, but it doesn’t mean I can’t also give you sass.”
“I suppose,” I relented. “And thank you for that sass, and everything else you’ve done for me to help get me to the Olympics. I couldn’t have done this without you, Mom.”
“I didn’t do nearly as much as you, Cam, but that’s nice to hear, sweetie. You’re welcome, and I love you.” She gave me another hug, and I heard her sniffle. She wiped a tear or two away, and then asked, “So, where’s this team dinner tonight?”