31. Camden #2
The next day dragged. I had even tried to sleep in to make it shorter, but without blackout curtains, that wasn’t going to happen.
I had a late breakfast with Erika and then met up with Tyler to watch the men’s basketball final.
Not as entertaining as men’s platform diving, but it took up a couple of hours.
He could tell I was antsy. “Anything I can do for you, Cam?”
“Speed up time?”
Tyler laughed. “You’ll see him soon enough.”
I checked my phone again. No new texts. I hadn’t heard from him yet today, and it was bothering me. I needed another distraction. “Let’s go do something.”
“We are doing something. Watching basketball.”
“You know what I mean, Tyler. I can’t just sit here.”
“Well, what do you want to do?” He looked at me expectantly, and when I felt the heat rise to my face, he realized what I was thinking. “With me, bro. What do you want to do with me?” he asked, adding, “You’re such a horndog.”
“I can’t help it, Tyler. It’s been days,” I lamented. I knew I was being dramatic.
“You have hands, don’t you?”
“It’s not the same, and you know it.”
“It’s been years for me, Cam.”
“Oh.” I hadn’t really known that. I kind of thought he was exaggerating earlier. “Well, have you texted Declan yet?”
“Not yet. I’m still thinking about it. So, what are we doing?”
“Don’t think I don’t know what you did just now, mister,” I said, wagging my finger at him.
“I don’t know. Is there an arcade near here?”
We found one and ended up spending three hours there and who knows how many swipes of the credit card. I also may have had two Long Beach iced teas and been able to relax for a minute or two while crushing Tyler on Skee-Ball. He was better at air hockey, but we weren’t keeping score. Or were we?
I switched to water eventually, knowing I was bordering on drunkenness.
I knew I was a lightweight. And even after some food at the bar, I was still a little fuzzy.
We still needed to change into our official outfits for the closing ceremony, and I wanted to shower, so we left after the meal.
We talked a bit on the walk back, but I was mostly enjoying the slow decline of my buzz.
Back in the elevator, I thanked Tyler. “That was a lot of fun.”
“Any time, Cam. I may ask your advice about this whole talking to a guy thing, so...uh…”
“I’ll be there. Ask away.”
“Thanks.” Tyler smiled. “I’ll meet you at your room when I’m ready.”
“Sounds good.”
I stepped off the elevator and headed to my room.
After downing a bottle of water, I stripped my clothes off and stepped into the shower.
Since I didn’t know what was happening tonight, I was extra thorough with the soap, especially below my waist. I wanted to smell good for Luke.
I dried off, put on deodorant, and then dabbed some cologne on my neck and stomach.
I was hopeful we were going to find some privacy. I didn’t know how, but I wanted it. And even if we couldn’t, maybe I didn’t care anymore. If I had to kiss him in front of the entire world, I would. I knew that. His parents couldn’t keep us apart forever, could they?
Tyler was at my door soon enough, in his official outfit. The white polo really looked good with his tan skin. His blonde hair was down, but he had pulled it over to one shoulder.
“Damn, Tyler.”
He smiled. “I take that as a compliment.”
“I nodded.”
“You aren’t ready yet?”
“How could you tell? Was it perhaps the absence of clothes?”
“Yes, Cam. I didn’t think you’d go in just a jockstrap. Hurry up! I know you don’t want to be late.”
I pulled my navy pants on, slipped the red socks on with the navy penny loafers, and took one look at my ass in the mirror and smiled.
“Is that what I should be caring about?” Tyler asked.
“What?”
“My ass. Is that what dudes look for in a guy?”
I had to laugh. “Tyler, it’s different for everyone. It’s a habit. I...I wanna look good for him.”
“You always look good, Cam. Have you seen you? You’re like a muscular Ken doll.” He must’ve seen my reaction because he added, “Who is way more interesting and has an outstanding personality.”
I pulled on my shirt. “I was about to say, Tyler, it sounded like you were calling me bland for a second. And I also have a penis.”
Tyler shook his head. “Ah, yes. You definitely have one of those, bro. And you were the one focused on your looks, so that’s what I complimented.”
I tucked my shirt in and fixed my hair, giving myself one last look in the mirror.
“Is Prince Perfect ready to go to the ball now?”
“Yes, Tyler. My...escort? I’m ready.”
“Good.” He smiled. “Let’s go.”
Like last time, we met the twins and Erika and the girls by the diver sculpture. Erika squeezed my hand. “You ready, Cam?”
I nodded. And we followed the throng of athletes streaming toward the arena next to the Olympic Stadium.
It was different this time, though. The countries weren’t separated anymore.
All the athletes walked into the stadium together in one group, symbolizing one nation, a nation of Olympians.
The American gymnasts stayed grouped together, in the almost dark, with thousands of athletes around us.
I thought I saw Jake Anderson nearby. It would be nice if he and Graham could have a moment.
That thought made my heart ache, though.
Where is he? I checked my phone again. Still nothing. I sent a quick text.
Cam: You almost here?
I looked back at my texts. I hadn’t heard from him since yesterday and I had sent four texts today. “Have any of you heard from Luke today?” I asked anyone within earshot.
No one had. The closing ceremony had started, and I could feel the athletes jostling towards the stadium.
“Would you mind texting him, Tyler?”
“Sure thing, bro.”
I watched the time on my phone. I waited ten minutes. We were almost in the stadium. “Anything?” I asked.
“Nope. Sorry.”
“I’m sure he’s just running late, Cam,” Erika tried to reassure me.
“No,” I said. “Something’s wrong. I’m going to call him.” My hands were shaking as I clicked the phone icon. It rang and connected.
“Your call cannot be completed as dialed.”
“Can you call him, Tyler?” I said, panicking. “My call didn’t connect.”
Tyler moved closer to me and dialed. After a few seconds, his face said it all. “Same, Cam. Some automated voice saying the call can’t be completed.”
I opened Instagram, and...I...couldn’t find his profile.
I searched for it. “He’s not on Instagram anymore, guys.
” My eyes started to water. I was losing my composure.
The twins, Tyler, and Erika got their phones out.
Hannah and the other girls had already gone into the stadium.
The rest of us had moved to the side, letting the other athletes pass.
“He’s on mine, Cam.” Erika held out her phone.
“Same,” was everyone else’s response.
“I...I don’t get it,” I said. No one said anything. No one knew what to say. “Give me your phone, Erika. I’ll DM him.”
She handed me her phone and my hands were shaking as I typed. Erika and Tyler were on either side. The twins in front of us.
Erika: Hey tiger, this is Cam. I’m worried. Is everything okay? Where are you?
The response was almost immediate.
Luke: This is Luke’s father. Stop trying to contact him. It’s over.
What the fuck?
“This can’t be happening,” I said, tears streaming down my face. In a daze, I handed the phone back to Erika. “It can’t be over.”
Erika and Ty sandwiched me in a giant hug.
“It can’t be over. I...I love him.”