29. Camden
Camden
I left the pool a few minutes after Luke to watch his interview.
I found a lounge that had smaller TVs equipped with headphones, so multiple people could watch different programs and not disturb each other.
His voice was so smooth, and I was jealous of his confidence.
You couldn’t tell he was sauntering around a pool an hour before.
It hurt when he said he had no one special, but I knew why he said it. His parents couldn’t know. I wasn’t out either, so maybe he was also protecting me in a way. That’s what I told myself, at least.
I headed to the gym to stay limber for my last event.
I jogged a few miles on the treadmill and did some stretching and yoga.
Noah checked in with me and I did some breathing exercises to keep my head even.
I could feel my anxiety ticking up, so I was trying to dampen that.
After I showered, I had a text waiting for me in my locker.
Luke: Dinner? Movie? Cuddle?
My boyfriend was adorable.
Cam: Yes. Yes. Yes.
I could be adorable too.
We met at the dining hall for dinner. Neither of us mentioned his interview, and it was weird.
I was hopeful after his cute text, but instead, we filled the conversation with small talk about my vault tomorrow and gossip about Tyler and Declan.
It was the first time since we had confirmed our boyfriend status that I felt something was off and I didn’t like it.
It was getting dark by the time we walked back to the dorm. He held my hand on the elevator and stayed on until we reached my floor. That was something and I was clinging to it.
“What movie do you want to watch?” he asked.
“Did you have one in mind?”
“Something sweet, happy and fun.”
“Have you ever seen Trick?” I asked.
Luke shook his head.
“Then we’re watching that.”
“What’s it about?”
“Two cute guys trying to find a place to hook up and failing,” I answered.
“So...us, but without the failing part,” Luke raised his eyebrows and started to strip.
And then my dick perked up. At least that still felt right.
We got under the covers and I set up the tablet against my knees and started the movie.
Luke seemed to enjoy it, but I could tell as it got later, he was getting sleepier.
I checked the alarm on my phone and made sure it was plugged in.
I didn’t want to be screwed tomorrow. The interview and the awkwardness kept gnawing at me.
I knew I wouldn’t sleep well if we didn’t talk about it.
“I saw your interview.” I could tell that woke him up. “You did really well.”
“Thanks. I still can’t believe I forgot about it.”
“I couldn’t tell. I’m sure no one else noticed anything was off.”
“That’s good.”
We both tried to talk simultaneously. I let him go first.
“Cam, I’m sorry if what I said about not seeing anyone special hurt you. It tore me up when I said it.”
“I...admit I was a little upset.” His expression changed. He was genuinely hurt that he had caused that. “Can you explain again about your parents?” I added, “If you’re okay with it. I know you don’t like to talk about them.”
“I know. And that’s not fair to you.”
“But you have to do what you're comfortable with. I’m not going to force you.”
“And that’s what I lo-. That’s what I like about you, Cam.
You’re so considerate, among other things.
” He ran his hand up my chest, and he took a breath.
“It’s hard to explain. They don’t act like your mom at all.
I feel like a burden. I feel helpless around them, like I’m never good enough.
But they provide literally everything for me.
My training, my car, my apartment, my tuition.
Without them, I’d have nothing. I don’t see how I’d be here without them.
I don’t...I don’t know what I’d do without all that. ”
I was silent for a minute. Mostly because I was sure he almost said ‘love,’ and I didn’t want to say something that made him feel worse. Like he had to choose between me and his parents.
“Well, I can understand not wanting to lose all that. It helps to hear you talk about it, for sure.”
“I can try to talk more, if that’s what you need.”
“Well, communication is important,” I said, booping him on the nose.
“So you're the expert now?”
“It seems with regards to talking about feelings, yes.”
Luke stuck his tongue out at me, and I tried to grab it with my mouth. We ended up with our lips locked in a slow, tender kiss.
“How about we just keep talking and see if we can deal with whatever comes our way together?” I suggested. I was trying to make both of us feel better about the situation and that’s what I came up with. “Maybe we’ll figure out a way to get through to your parents, eventually?”
“I like the sound of that,” Luke answered.
I stopped the movie and shut off the light. We kissed good night and Luke settled into my arms.
I was able to sleep.
Graham was the first to break our supposed bronze “curse.” He placed second in rings, earning him a silver medal.
I’m not sure what happened with Tyler, but he placed sixth.
I hoped it had nothing to do with Declan.
I couldn’t imagine Tyler being thrown off by that, but I hadn’t talked to him much that morning, so I wasn’t sure where his head was at.
I heard him before I saw him, though, and he sounded in good spirits.
Noah and I had watched on the TV in the locker room.
“Wasn’t in the cards today, I guess.”
“That’s how it works sometimes,” I heard Coach say.
As the group came around the corner, I held out my arms, ready to hug whomever was first. It was Tyler. He jogged over to me with a big smile on his face.
“Here’s where my cheer squad was.”
“You knew we were in here.”
“Well, yeah, but I need an excuse for what happened out there.”
Noah headed over to Coach and Graham. I leaned in conspiratorially. “Was there an excuse?”
Tyler shrugged. “Doesn’t really matter now.” When he saw the concern on my face, he said, “I’m fine, Cam. Stop worrying and focus on your vault.” He winked and headed to his locker.
I congratulated Graham next, giving him a big hug as well. “This is huge,” I said.
“It’s crazy, right? It doesn’t even feel real.”
“May I?” I asked, gesturing to his medal.
“Yeah, go for it.”
I held it in my hands, seeing my face reflected at me, and looked at the engravings. “Feels pretty real to me,” I said. “I’m jealous. The silver is beautiful.”
“Well, you’ll have to win one, or better yet, a gold.” He winked. “Good luck out there.” He put his medal in his locker and started undressing. I sat down to text Luke.
Cam: Wish me luck.
Luke: Good lick.
Luke: *luck
Cam: I’d prefer a lick.
Luke: I’ll see what I can do.
“You ready?” Noah sat next to me. I put my phone away.
“As I’ll ever be.”
“Well, stay loose. Should be about forty-five minutes. Uneven bars is next.”
Erika made that one, I thought, and I felt bad not knowing for sure, but a lot had happened lately and my brain was getting mushy.
I couldn’t focus on anything else right now, anyway.
There was a gold medal to win. I slipped my earphones on and zoned out with my favorite pop music.
What seemed like only a few minutes later, Noah was shaking my shoulder. It was time.
After the draw, I ended up first. I was going to have to psych myself up to do my best because everyone else was going to come for me. I was the World Champion, so it was mine to lose. No pressure. None whatsoever.
To stay warm, I jogged around for a bit. I was already pretty loose despite my thirty-minute pop nap. The weight of Luke’s coin in my pocket kept me calm. I gave it one last rub as I ditched my shoes, sweats, and jacket. I headed up the stairs to the chalk.
I did the same two vaults as the team final and I did better this time.
My average was 16.333. It was the highest score for our team the entire Olympics.
I was stunned. Coach and Noah were practically jumping up and down.
My hands were shaking as I sat down. This could be it. This could be a gold medal.
“Excellent work, Camden,” Coach said, pacing in front of me. “You are a national treasure!”
“Thanks, Coach.”
Noah pulled me in for a hug, congratulating me. I slipped my pants and jacket on, feeling the familiar weight of the coin there. It made me smile. I got my phone out of the other pocket and already had several texts.
Tyler: All hail, King of the Vault!
Graham: Great job. That was golden!
Grant: Way to jinx it.
Grant: But don’t worry, maybe not?
Luke: That was your best ever, babe.
Tyler: Remember, this is the group text.
Tyler: Babe is as dirty as you can get.
Luke: Challenge accepted.
Erika: Wow! Big dick energy.
Mom: Amazing work, Cam. That was brilliant.
Mom: Fingers crossed from here on out.
Mom: Toes too.
I had to smile. But I was still anxious as hell. Seven more guys and they all needed to do worse than me.
I remembered Etienne Beaufort as soon as I saw his first vault.
Superficially, he wasn’t the prettiest thing to look at, but he had skills.
Something I obviously should’ve remembered.
Though he faulted during the team finals, he was quite good in the qualifying round.
His first vault scored a 16.333. That was my final average.
So, if he scored higher on his next vault, he’d push me to second.
I felt my palms start sweating and I couldn’t help my knees from bouncing. Noah sat down next to me. He said nothing, and I did the same. He knew his presence was enough.
As soon as I saw his hands hit the floor before the springboard, I knew he was attempting what I hadn’t yet been able to do yet. It was his Hail Mary. It was more difficult than mine and when he stuck the landing, I knew.
He was going to edge me out.