35. Camden
Camden
I was on my phone most of the ride to the stadium, making sure my mom met up with Noah and Shane. They were sitting together at the ceremony.
Luke’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He fished it out.
“It’s Shane,” he said to me before answering. “Hello? You guys find Heather yet?” He put it on speaker.
“Yeah, we did. I thought she texted Cam already.”
“Just came through,” I said.
“Are you on your way? I’ve got some big news.”
“Gatorade wants me?”
“No, I’m still waiting to hear from them.”
“Nike is offering twice as much money?”
“Will you let me talk? Nicolas Holden is sick with the flu.”
“And?”
“He won’t be marching in the ceremony tonight, but Team USA voted for him to be the flag bearer. You got the second most votes, so now you’re the flag bearer.”
Luke just sat there, speechless.
“Are you serious?! That’s incredible!” I practically shrieked in his ear. He almost dropped the phone because of my excitement.
“You there, Luke?”
“I’m here.”
“Good. You should see the flags in the arena once you’re inside.”
“Wait. Do the flag bearers go together or with their teams?” I asked.
“Yeah, the flag bearers go in first, and then the athletes from every country follow in one mixed group,” Shane answered.
“So, we won’t be together,” Luke finished my thought for me.
“Once everyone has entered, the flags are moved to the dais, and the flag bearers sit with the other athletes. You’ll be together for the rest of the ceremony.”
“Okay, thanks, Shane.”
Luke hung up.
“That is some boss shit, Luke,” Orion said, holding his fist out for Luke to bump.
“So, which one of y’all slipped a li’l somethin’ into Holden’s food?”
“We did nothing of the sort, Colton, and you know that.”
“Just teasin’, cowboy. Congrats.”
The shuttle drove into the village and dropped us off in an athlete’s only area, but despite that, it was still crowded.
“Holy shit,” Alex said.
I turned to look at him. He hardly ever swore. “You okay?”
“I just forgot what it was like in the village. There’s an insane amount of people.”
“Well, as the only veteran to have done this before, just stay with the group and you’ll be fine.”
“What about Lu-?” Alex said before Orion put his hand over his mouth.
Orion’s attempt was too late. Luke had heard.
“Fuck. I still can’t believe you were just here waiting for me, and I never showed.”
I stopped walking and turned. I could hear the quiver in his voice, and I could read it in his face. He was on the verge of tears.
“That’s in the past, Luke. I’m good. We’ve gotten through it. We-”
“I know that! But, being here, imagining you with Ty and Erika, and I never showed.”
“Shhh,” I said, pulling him into me.
“Sorry, guys. I didn’t mean to.”
“It’s okay, Alex. Sometimes it’s hard to remember the reality when we’ve made up a story for the public,” I said.
Luke’s sobs were getting softer now. His shoulders weren’t heaving any more.
I felt Colton’s hand on my shoulder, and Orion had moved behind Luke, putting a hand on his back.
“Get in here, Alex,” Colton said, pulling him into our makeshift group hug.
After another minute, Luke pulled back, wiped his nose and eyes, and composed himself. “Thanks, guys. Sorry about that.”
“No need to apologize, Luke. The Olympics bring a lot of emotions to the surface,” Colton said.
I added, “Especially when hearts are involved.”
Luke glanced at me, but we didn’t have time for a moment. Colton was pushing us with the crowd.
“Y’all don’t want Luke to be late. Let’s get goin’.”
“I really wanted to walk into that stadium holding your hand tonight.”
“Well, you’re going to be holding the American flag instead. You can hold my hand later. Your teammates are counting on you.”
“They voted for Nicolas Holden.”
“So?! You’re the alternate and you have a job to do. This is a big deal, and I’ve heard people saying the voting was close. It seems a lot of people didn’t want Nicolas to get it again.”
“Where did you hear that?”
“Nowhere,” I admitted, “but it sounded good, right?”
“It sounded like the beginning of a Scooby-Doo episode.”
“Well, let’s hope no one tries to take you out either. I like my boyfriend an awful lot, and this hand is going to be waiting for him.”
“I like you too.”
I paused. I was ready to say it.
“Well, I don’t just like you, I lo-”
“Lucas Rivera!”
We both looked over to see an exasperated woman wearing a headset and holding a clipboard.
“This is you, right?”
It was Luke’s photo on the clipboard.
“Ye-yes,” he answered.
“Well, good. Let’s go. We’re about to start. We need to get you a harness.”
I hadn’t noticed the countdown on the wall was already at zero. This was it. The closing ceremony had started.
“I’ll see you in a little bit,” I said.
He leaned in to kiss me goodbye. “Not soon enough.”
“I’m curious to see this harness,” I teased.
Luke shook his head and laughed as he jogged off, following the clipboard woman.
We were in the same arena as the opening ceremony, and like before, large screens broadcast what was happening in the stadium next door.
My memories of Brisbane’s closing ceremony were foggy, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but so far, it seemed similar to the opening ceremony.
Theatrics, music, a huge production. Then the procession of flags started, and I had my phone in hand, ready to snap a pic if they showed Luke on the screen.
I kept my eyes glued to the broadcast, trying to figure out which side he’d be on as we entered. The flag bearers had formed a corridor that the athletes were going to walk through.
“I reckon he’s on the right side,” Colton said.
“You sure?” I asked. I was watching, but hadn’t seen him.
“I think Colton’s right,” Alex confirmed.
“Good.”
Soon enough, it was our turn to enter the stadium. We all began shuffling toward the exit to begin the march over to the stadium.
It was a crystal clear night. Despite the city lights, I could see the moon in the sky between the two venues. I shivered.
“We shoulda brought the jackets. It’s dang cold out.”
“Maybe it’s warmer in the stadium?” I said.
“Well, you’ll have Luke to keep you warm. What do I got?”
“It’s not that cold out. You’ll make do. Keep your eyes open for Luke.”
“Ten-four,” Colton said, saluting me.
“Are you going to kiss him again on live television?” Orion asked.
“Do you even have to ask?”
Orion laughed, and we kept moving closer to the stadium.
“I see him!” Colton said, pushing me in front of him. “Pucker up, Cam.”
I rolled my eyes, but inwardly smiled. If we couldn’t walk in together, this was the next best thing. We could have a moment together. It would just be in front of the whole world. Again.
I saw him before he saw me. I slid my fingers into his before he even knew I was there.
“You snuck up on me.”
“Not the first time, is it?”
Luke blushed. “No, sir.”
“Come here,” I said, wrapping my arms around his torso.
With one hand on the flag, his other was free to pull me close.
It felt longer than the five seconds it was, but when we pulled back, I couldn’t help but smile, and notice Colton and Orion were both holding their phones out, recording us. There was a large camera from NBC pointed at us as well. The cameraman gave us a thumbs up, and Luke and I laughed.
“See you in a bit,” he said, extracting himself from my arms.
I leaned in for a quick peck. “Can’t get enough of that.”
“You can have all of it you want later.”
“Okay, okay, people can hear you. Let’s move, boys,” Colton said, ushering me away.
I kept Luke in my sights for as long as I could before the crowd swallowed him up.
My knee was bouncing. Some guy was on stage making a speech, but all I cared about was the seat next to mine. It was still empty.
I looked at my phone.
Luke: On my way.
That was twenty minutes ago.
“It’s a big stadium. I’m sure he’ll be here in no time,” Colton said, patting my knee.
The littlest part of me started questioning reality. It couldn’t help but start drawing parallels to Brisbane.
He’ll be here. He’ll be here.
I must’ve let out the biggest sigh of relief when I saw Luke excusing himself past spectators at the end of our row.
“See, what’d I tell ya?”
I stood up and hugged him as soon as he was close enough, and then we sat down together. He intertwined his fingers with mine immediately.
“Sorry, I took so long. I got lost.”
“No prob-” My voice cracked, so I cleared my throat. “Problem.”
“I’m sorry if you were worried.”
“You made it, and you’re here now.”
I tried to slow my breathing without being obvious. I felt like everyone could hear my beating heart.
Something was happening on stage. The English flag was being lowered, and an American flag was being raised. Another person was talking, but I couldn’t hear anything but Luke.
“I’ve really enjoyed the last few days, and I can’t wait to go back to Florida with you.”
“I’m really happy that you’re coming home with us.”
“I’m really happy you forgave me. Earlier, when I experienced a fraction of what it must’ve been like. I thought about that moment so many times, but I don’t think I’ve ever come close to imagining how awful it was. I’m so, so sorry.”
“It’s really okay, Luke. I’m okay. We’re going to be okay. More than okay.”
“If you keep saying okay, I’m going to think it’s not okay.”
I smiled and took a breath. “We’re together. That’s what matters. There’s nothing we can’t figure out if we have each other.”
“But I broke your heart. You can really move on from that?”
This is it. He’ll never get it if I don’t say it.
I cupped his face with my hands, forcing him to look into my eyes. “You may have broken my heart four years ago, but you’ve found all the pieces, put them back where they belong, and made my heart whole again. I loved you then and I love you now.”
He inhaled sharply. “Do you mean that?”
“Yes, Luke. I love you.” I smiled.
“I love you too. So much.” He pressed his lips against mine and my hands curled around the back of his head.
I heard the fireworks exploding around us as the crowd oohed and aahed.
Colton was saying something silly, and music had started playing at some point.
But none of that mattered right now.
“I’ve wanted to say ‘I love you’ for days now. I wanted to say it in the hospital, but I didn’t want to push. Honestly, I wanted you to say it first, so that I knew you weren’t just saying it back to me if I said it first.”
I laughed. “So, how do I know that you’re not just saying it back to me because I said it first?”
“Well, because of what I just said about wanting to wait.”
“So, now I’m just supposed to believe anything you say?”
“Well, yeah. You love me, so that means you trust me,” he said before squeezing my hand.
At some point, we had gotten to our feet. The crowd around us was dancing to the music. Colton glanced over at us.
“Y’all say you love each other yet?”
I pushed him, knowing he knew the answer. “None of your business.”
“Bullshit! I ain’t been hearin’ about all this drama for years to not get my Cam Cam his happy ending.”
“Oh, he’ll get his happy ending later, but yes, it’s official. We’re in love,” Luke answered.
“About time,” Orion said.
“Congrats,” Alex added.
We’re in love.
That sounded perfect.
The fireworks continued to explode around the stadium’s edge. My heart was full as the spectacle continued. I couldn’t help but think ahead and wonder what the future held for us. I was excited Luke was coming home with me, and nervous as hell to live with him permanently.
Would the magic of the Olympics follow us home?
He glanced at me and read my face. “You okay?”
“I’ve been thinking.”
“A dangerous pastime.” Luke smiled.
I loved that Luke was a Disney nerd. “I know.”
“What about?”
“The future. The uncertainty.”
“Well, that’s ambiguous.”
I smirked and shrugged.
“I will tell you that I’m never letting you go again, and I’ll be by your side for whatever comes our way. The good, the bad, the hopefully not ugly, but if I must, I’ll deal with that too.”
I thought about what he said. It was pointless to worry about the unknown. Noah and gymnastics had taught me that. The same should apply to our relationship.
“I don’t think you could ever be ugly. You’re beautiful inside and out.”
“Right back at ya, handsome.”
“I love you, Luke.”
“I love you more, Cam.”