11. Lucas
Lucas
When I woke up the next day, I’m not sure why I expected anything to be different. Cassandra was still here. My parents weren’t.
But I was the best gymnast on Team USA and I felt...
nothing? Admittedly, I was proud of my performance, but I didn’t hang out with the team last night to celebrate.
I just went back to the hotel. It was late and maybe they didn’t do anything either, but at least O had Alex and Cam was with Colton. Well, not with him.
I hoped. Who really knew? We started our relationship at the Olympics. They always could do the same.
Just forget it.
Yesterday wasn’t quite what I envisioned, but it was a start. I knew we were doing it for the cameras, but still, it felt good. I closed my eyes, remembering our hug, the feel of his back against my chest, and ran my hand down my stomach and slowly teased my shaft, gently tugging at the foreskin.
Vrrrrrrrrrr. Vrrrrrrrrrr.
Damn it.
I picked it up to see who was calling. It was Graham. Graham?
“Hey, Graham, what’s up?”
“Oh, I didn’t think you’d answer.”
“Sorry?”
“No, it’s fine. I was just planning to leave a voicemail. I...uh, just wanted to say that you did a great job last night. Jake and I grabbed a ticket at the last minute and watched you guys. You looked good.”
“Thanks, Graham. I didn’t know you were in London.” I should’ve known that.
“Jake’s preliminaries start tomorrow. I’m here to support him.” There was a pause. “It’s none of my business really, but...you seemed happy yesterday...with him. Are you and Cam together again?”
“No.” I took a deep breath. “That was kind of a performance for the cameras. That NBC piece framed us as rivals and Coach wanted to squash the story.”
“Oh, yeah. I saw that. Well, I hope it’s not that bad. I know things...fell apart.”
A nice way to put it.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to get personal. I just wanted to say you did a great job. I have a good feeling for you guys. I mean, the team.”
“Thanks, Graham. That means a lot. Did you want to get together this week or next? Grab some dinner or drinks? I’d love to see you, and Jake, if he has time.”
“Yeah, that sounds good. We’ll figure it out. I’ll talk to you soon, and good luck with the finals.”
“Thanks, man. Talk to you later.”
I hung up, closed my eyes, and let my hand-
Knock knock knock.
Nothing like a hovering coach. “What?!”
“Just making sure you’re awake, keeping a normal schedule.”
“Yes, Mom.”
“Your eggs are ready.”
I waited in front of the O2 for Alex and O to show up. We planned on watching the women’s team together. I checked my phone again for new messages.
Nothing.
“Excuse me,” I heard a timid voice behind me say. “Are you Lucas Rivera?”
I smiled and turned to see a little girl with, presumably, her mother. “I am.”
“Can I get a picture with you and maybe an autograph?”
“Sure,” I answered, taking the pen and notepad her mother held out. “Who do I make it out to?”
“Felicity.”
“Oh, that’s a lovely name. Are you here for the women’s gymnastics event?”
She nodded. I handed the notepad back to the woman, who took out her phone. Felicity dashed over to me and turned to smile at her mother.
“1-2-3,” the woman said.
I gave my best smile, and after, the girl turned to hug me and said, “Thank you.”
“My pleasure, Felicity. Have fun!”
Before she left, a few others had noticed us and gathered around. I took photos with them and signed a few autographs, and was surrounded before I knew it. I didn’t think this many people would know me over here and came to regret not wearing a hoodie.
“Is that Jack Davies?!” somebody yelled.
The crowd broke up a little around me and I felt someone tug on my shirt.
“Let’s go, movie star.”
I turned to find O and Alex grinning at me.
“Does this happen often?” Alex asked.
“Not quite like this.” I slipped through the crowd and we jogged over to the closest entrance. “Thanks for the distraction, but Jack Davies, really?”
“I figured if they knew who you were, they’d know the most famous English gymnast,” O said.
“Whose ass Luke is going to kick tomorrow,” Alex added.
I smiled. “That’s the idea.”
I could see Mrs. Kane between Cam and Colton in their seats while we headed up the stairs. Colton waved. Cam glanced at us, then focused elsewhere, but he apparently thought better of it and turned back to smile and wave as well. You never knew who was watching.
Our seats were in the row behind them. They stood up as we approached. Cam introduced his mother to Alex and O and they shook hands.
“Hello, Lucas.” She smiled, but it wasn’t big enough to show teeth.
Ouch. She Lucas-ed me.
I smiled and returned her greeting, taking the seat behind Colton.
“Where’s your family?” I asked him. I saw Cam’s expression twist and his brows furrow.
Colton answered, “They’re sightseein’ today. Takin’ advantage of our day off.”
From behind Cam, Alex piped up. “Mine too. They wanted me to come, but I told them I’d meet them later. Need to show my support for the women.”
Next to me, O laughed. “Same for me. Looks like you’re our mom for the day, Mrs. Kane.”
“Oh, please call me Heather.” She turned to Cam to ask, “Is Erika coming, sweetie?”
I saw Cam check his phone. “She should almost be here.”
I did a quick scan of the arena. It was filling up. It wasn’t surprising that the women attracted more spectators than us, though I’d be willing to bet that the team finals would be similar since the British men were competing against us.
As far as I knew, the American women had drawn China in their division. That rivalry probably added to today’s crowd. It was a little added pressure for the team, but it was probably for the best to have them in their division. It should push them to do better.
“Here she is,” I heard Cam say.
I turned to look at the stairs to see Erika smiling and on her way towards us...with a guy. Either Isaak had some work done and added extra muscle, or this was someone new.
O interrupted my admiration of his physique by whispering in my ear. “Who is that hunk with Erika?”
“No idea.” I shrugged. “Why? You interested?” I looked over at him. He was staring. He looked ready to pounce. “Easy, killer. If he swings our way, play it cool.”
“Easier said than done, Luke. You at least have some experience.”
I kept forgetting O hadn’t been with many guys. He was so confident and flirty around me. His confession surprised me when I found out, but he said he had a hard time putting himself out there, adding his hands and the internet were usually enough.
“Austin!” I heard Heather call out.
Where have I heard that name before?
Even his smile was pretty damn appealing.
Cam and Heather stood up again to greet the newcomers.
I saw Erika wave to some of the other parents, presumably those of her former teammates.
I knew Erika was an alternate this year.
Some alternates chose not to come to the events, but Erika was always a positive person, and she had Cam to cheer on as well.
“Hi, Mrs. Kane.”
His deeper voice was hypnotic.
“I’ve told all of you boys to call me Heather over and over, and you keep making me say it. Boys never listen!”
“Ain’t that the truth...Heather,” Erika added.
“At least someone’s on my side. Where’s your man?”
“He needed to stay in New York for work. I couldn’t drag him away.”
“Hi, I’m Alex.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I guess I should’ve introduced us. I’m Erika,” she said, offering her hand. “This is my brother, Austin.”
Holy. Fuck.
“Austin, this is Alex and Orion, and you know Luke. And then that’s Colton next to Heather.”
“Howdy.”
“Hey,” was all Austin said, though he shuffled back to the stairs and hopped up to the row behind us. It was empty. He made his way behind me. My gaze followed him, curious as to what he was doing. He was wearing a tank top and his muscles were the same as mine, if not bigger.
“Hey Luke, this is awkward, but I haven’t seen you in years.” He bent down a little, so we were closer to eye level with each other.
Okay, interest piqued.
“I...I just wanted to thank you for what you said to me in Brisbane. You were just so...you. I never hid in the closet again after that trip. I kind of feel like I owe that to you. Well, I know I owe it to you. I feel like I should’ve said something a while ago, but...” He shrugged.
I didn’t know what to say. “Wow. I’m...glad I helped.” I ran my hand through my hair. “I-”
“You don’t have to say anything. I just wanted you to know that if it weren’t for fearless athletes like you, it would be harder for the rest of us.”
It surprised me when he stood up and opened his arms, offering a hug. He was taller than me and a row up. It felt like hugging a bear. I couldn’t help but laugh.
“What?” he asked, standing up straight.
“You’re a lot bigger than I remember. Taller too.”
“I may have spent some time in the gym.”
“It shows,” O added.
Austin glanced his way, and damned if the boy didn’t bite his lip and start blushing. “Orion, was it?”
O nodded.
Austin extended his hand, and he and O shook. “Cool name. Nice to meet you, Orion.”
“You too. Nice to meet you, I mean. Not that your name isn’t cool. It is. I’ll shut up now.”
Austin laughed, but kept staring at O. For their benefit, I added, “Orion’s an out-and-proud gay athlete as well.”
O was too bashful to see Austin’s eyebrows shoot up, and if my dick-sense was as accurate as it used to be, I swore I saw him adjust himself through his sweatpants pocket.
“Is that so? Well, good for you. We could always use more handsome dudes repping out there.”
“Ha-handsome?” O looked up at Austin.
“I...uh...should get back to Erika. It was nice seeing you again, Luke. Orion.” His lips curled a little with his last word. He made his way back down the stairs, joining Cam and Erika in mid-conversation.
“Jesus fuck,” O whispered, slumping down into his seat.
I joined him. “I think someone has a new crush,” I whispered back.
“Was I that obvious?”
“No, I meant Austin has a crush on you.”
“You think so?”
“Yeah, the evidence...seemed large.”
O gave me a quizzical look.
I motioned with my head and widened my eyes. “And hard.”