26. Lucas
Lucas
I was at the hotel, waiting for my parents to stop working, so we could go to breakfast. I passed the time staring at photos of Cam and our zoo day, and responding to social media comments from fans.
It was nice to see the support, but I wanted Cam to feel that same love.
I knew he’d come out publicly at some point and I wanted him to, but I didn’t know how to handle my parents.
I wasn’t sure if they’d actually push me out to live on my own, or if it was a bluff. Maybe I can try to find out?
My mom finished up first.
“So, mijo, are you enjoying Australia?”
“Yes, Mom, a lot, actually. The people are friendly and I went to the zoo yesterday.”
“I saw. Some little rodent things.”
“They were platypuses, Mom.”
“If you say so, mijo. I wish you’d stop obsessing over animals. You know your father wants you to help run the business when you graduate.”
“We’ve been over this, Mom. I don’t want to do that. What if I wanted to do something with gymnastics?”
My dad walked into the room, hanging up in time to reply, “Well, unless you do better than a bronze on Monday, you better find something else.”
“Nice of you to join us, Father.”
“You know how it is. We’re busy because of this new acquisition. I wasn’t even sure we’d make it here, but your mother insisted.”
“So, you didn’t even want to come?”
“Don’t twist my words, Lucas.”
“Fine. I won’t.”
My mother asked him a question about his phone call, and then it was all business talk again. Some organic produce farms in upstate New York. New market share. Blah blah blah.
I couldn’t stand five minutes with them. How was I going to survive another week?
I settled into an armchair after they got sucked back into another crisis.
I unlocked my phone, wondering how long it would take them to acknowledge me again.
After a half hour, I was bored enough that I left and headed outside to the taxi stand.
I double checked the map. The Hilton was four miles away; it wouldn’t take me too long to get there. I hoped someone was around.
I knocked on the door, not sure if anyone would answer, but Noah did.
“Oh. Hey, Luke. What’s up?”
“Can I come in? Anybody else here?”
“Sure. And uh...Woodward’s out with Bret and Ford somewhere, but Shane’s here.”
“Good, I can talk to him. My parents are stressing me out. Yay,” I deadpanned, letting myself in.
“Shane! Where you at?” I yelled. “My parents are driving me crazy. Help me!”
“I’m in here,” he called.
I found his bedroom door cracked open, and let myself in. He was lying on the bed, reading a book. He looked flustered.
“Did I wake you up?”
“Oh, no.” He laughed. “Just got back from a workout.”
“With Noah?”
“What makes you say that?”
“No reason.” I shrugged. “Mind if we chat?”
“No problem, Luke.”
I sighed, thankful I had someone to vent to. Cam would’ve listened, but the situation affected him too, and I didn’t want him to feel uncomfortable. I went to sit opposite him, but I stepped on something. I bent to pick it up and realized what it was at the same time Shane saw what I was holding.
“I’ll take care of that,” he said, grabbing it from me.
“A condom wrapper?” I asked. “Shane! You sly dog. Is she here right now?”
“No one’s here. Ignore it.”
“Hey, I finally have something to tease you with and you want me to drop it. Fat chance, buddy boy.”
A xylophone melody filled the room with noise and Shane muttered, “Fuck,” before frantically looking for the ringing phone.
“She is still here! That’s not your ringtone,” I said.
Shane found it and silenced it, keeping it in his hand. “Could you have come at a worse time, Luke?”
“I’m sorry, Shane. I...I can leave. I didn’t mean to-”
“No, I’m sorry I snapped, Luke. It’s probably time you knew, anyway.”
The phone started ringing again. Shane looked down at it.
“Noah!” Shane called. “It’s your mom calling!”
Why would...
My eyes widened as the door opened and Noah came in, taking the phone in question from Shane. He smiled at me, excused his interruption, answered the phone, and left. My eyes traveled back to Shane. He looked embarrassed.
“Is it serious?” I asked.
“That’s your first question?”
“Yeah. What should I have asked?”
“I don’t know. Are you gay? Why didn’t you tell me? How long have you and Noah been a thing? When were you-”
“Wait a sec, are you a thing?”
“I think so.”
“You think so?”
“Well, we haven’t defined the relationship, but we aren’t seeing anyone else.”
“Okay. Now I’ll ask, how long?”
“This time?”
“This time?!”
Shane laughed, explaining, “We met in college, fooled around then, but neither of us wanted to commit. We’ve kind of been...reconnecting. It led to here.”
“Well, alright. And you’re gay?”
“Yup.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I honestly didn’t want you to have to lie for me, Luke. I’m in the closet for a reason. Most parents wouldn’t be comfortable with it. As a coach, I didn’t think it would be smart. I wasn’t taking that chance.”
“I get that, I suppose.”
Noah came back in and sat next to Shane. “How’d he take it?”
“We surprised him, but good. I think?” he said, looking at me.
“Oh yeah, super. I’m happy if you’re happy.”
“Good,” Noah said, leaning in to give Shane a quick kiss.
Wow. “That is kind of hot.”
“You did not just say that out loud,” Shane said.
“Did I?” I felt my face turn red.
Change the subject!
“So, since we’re being honest, I have something to tell you. I am also seeing someone.”
Shane’s expression darkened. “Seriously? You know how your parents will feel.”
“I know, and that’s why I came to talk. Maybe you can help me figure out how to explain.”
“We can try, Luke. But you know them better than anyone. That’s gonna be a tough sell.”
“I know, but I really like Cam. And he likes me.”
“Wait a minute. Cam? As in Noah’s Cam? As in your Olympic teammate Cam?”
“Well, I like to think of him as Luke’s Cam now,” I said.
“Did you know?” Shane turned to ask Noah.
He nodded. “Sorry, sunshine. But, yeah, I did.”
“Huh.”
“You mad?”
“Don’t really have much reason to be since I was hiding us from Luke, now do I?” Shane said.
I breathed a sigh of relief. “Sorry for complicating things. I know I lied to you about it earlier, and Cam did, too. We were still figuring things out. We weren’t as serious then as we are now.”
“A few days ago?” Noah teased.
“It took us a little while to figure things out,” I said, throwing a glare their way.
Shane smirked, then suggested, “There’s always the direct way. Tell them and see what happens.”
“Oh, hell no. You should already hear how crabby they are just being here.” I started pacing.
“How about offering a hypothetical to them? Like, say what if you’ve done so well because you’ve met someone, or something like that?” Noah said.
“That’s better than direct,” I said. “I’ll think about it.”
“Hey, no matter what happens. You’ll always have me,” Shane said, standing up, offering a hug.
“Thanks, Shane. You definitely feel more like a big brother sometimes than a coach,” I said, wrapping my arms around his waist and burying my head in his chest.
“We’re both here for you,” Noah offered, patting me on the back. “Good luck.”
What was supposed to be breakfast with my parents became brunch.
We ended up at some fancy restaurant downtown. We ordered our meals, and let the awkward silence descend upon us. Mom was fiddling with her make-up. Dad was scrolling on his tablet. Here goes nothing.
“So, what if I told you that the reason I’m doing so well is that I have an exceptional and committed boyfriend that supports me.”
My mom dropped her compact. I felt my dad’s stare.
His bitter voice practically slithered across the table.
“I would say that I hope you are kidding. And I would also say that sounds ridiculous. And if that is ever the case, no more apartment, no more college, no more car, no more money. We’ve made it clear what the rules are for you, and I don’t understand why you’d throw that all away. ”
“Think of your career, mijo. You’ll have time for that when you’ve grown up and your future is clearer. You need to focus right now.”
“And it better not be true, Lucas. I’ll talk to Shane and get to the bottom of this. You are gold medal quality and I expect to see as much this week!” he half-yelled. “What you are suggesting is out of the question. You’re at the Olympics! ?Por favor!”
I couldn’t help but notice a few restaurant-goers turned their heads in our direction.
“I have to make a phone call.” He stood up and left the table.
“See what you’ve done. You’ve upset your father.”
Well, I had my answer. But I still didn’t understand why. Cam wasn’t pulling my focus. I was better because of him. Maybe I could ask Shane and Noah for more advice later.
I didn’t even head up to my parents’ suite after brunch. We said our quick goodbyes. I didn’t know when I would see them again. They didn’t bother to make plans with me, and I didn’t really care. I needed to be with Cam.
Luke: Where are you?
Cam: Gym.
Luke: On my way.
I hurried back to my dorm, changed into shorts and a muscle tank and jogged to the gym. It didn’t take me long to find Cam. I just looked for the hottest guy in the room. He was on the treadmill.
“Hey, stud. Come here often.”
“Only when it’s down your throat.”
“Jesus, Cam. What if someone heard you?”
“Then they’d be jealous.” He smiled.
“Well, you know how to put a boy at ease,” I said, turning my treadmill on and glancing at his. “Three miles? Shit, I gotta catch up.”
“It isn’t a competition, Luke.”
“It isn’t?”
He rolled his eyes, and I sped up my belt. This is exactly what I needed. Flirty banter. The thought of Cam’s cock down my throat. An impending erection. That way, I wouldn’t have to think of my future getting ripped away from me for loving someone.
“Everything okay?” Cam asked, bringing me back to my current state.
“Yeah, just pondering some news over here.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Bros! There you are!” Ty shouted, running over to us. He was shirtless.
“You have no shame,” I said.
“What? This?” he said, gesturing at his twelve abs, his arms flexed.