7. Lucas #2
All eyes turned to Cam.
"Due to your strength in every event, Cassandra and I believe you to be the best choice, Camden.
Colton is a master in two of the six events, but Lucas was strong in all of them.
And you're the closest we have to him. The other reason this was better to do in person is because of your relationship.
I know you'd want to do this together, since so much of your Olympic experience has been that way.
No one wanted this to happen, but here we are.
I will be calling Colton after this meeting to let him know.
Do either of you have anything you want to say? "
Cam spoke first. "As an alternate, all I've dreamed of was another chance.
But now that it's here, I feel so conflicted.
I wanted this, but not like this." He turned to look me in the eyes.
"If that makes sense. I know in my head someone had to drop out for me to compete, but never in a million years would I have wanted this. "
"I know that, Cam." My voice came out scratchy, so I cleared my throat and continued. "You were so supportive going into this-"
"And I will do everything I can to help you heal-"
"I know, Cam, but now it's my turn to support you. We're teammates and partners. I know if things were reversed how you would be because that’s what’s happened since the trials.
You were disappointed, but you love me and you want me to succeed.
I can be all of that for you, and I'll prove it.
Though I might only have one good arm for a few weeks. "
Cam couldn't help himself. He grabbed my neck with his left hand and half stood so I didn't have to, and kissed me.
"You two are amazing, you know that?" Coach mused.
"I couldn't be prouder of both of you," Shane added.
"We've got some work to do, Cam. You've had what? Five days off? Prepare your ass to be whooped."
"I'll be ready, Noah."
"I've heard about your hotel. I'm assuming Cam will move to the village?" Noah turned to Coach.
"Yes, Cam and Luke, are you okay to switch for now? I could maybe swing one night together in the village with security while we transfer official athlete status, but that's probably it. ”
“That would be great.”
“Who’s going to tell the team?” Cam asked.
“Well, we'll need to do a lot in a small time frame. I’ll message the team in a few minutes. I’m sure they’re worried.
I’ll also have to let USA Gymnastics know and the Olympic Committee.
They’ll want us to do a press conference since this is a big deal.
I know how much you love those. I'll let you tell your families.
Please try to do that tonight. Cassandra and I can deal with anything else that comes up and work through Shane and Noah.
Shane, I'm assuming you can help Luke since Cam will be training? "
"Yes, if Luke chooses to stay in Cam's hotel room, Noah and I are staying between the village and that hotel. It's close enough that I can walk."
"I'm sure Colton and Zeph will help too," Cam said.
That didn't sound too bad. Now I'd be staying at the porn star hotel with a Super Bowl MVP and a cowboy waiting on me.
I just hoped the MRI wasn't apocalyptic.
I hadn’t looked at my phone since I left the gym. Shane had grabbed my bag before we left for the hospital. It was in there, so I fished it out and saw a flood of texts from Ezra, O, and Miles. There was even one from Preston, which was a shock. It appeared he wasn’t a complete dick.
I didn’t have the energy to text everyone back individually, and if that made me an ass, so be it. I just didn’t have it in me. The pain had amped up a little and the adrenalin had definitely worn off. I was wiped.
“I’m gonna need to lay down soon, or maybe eat something, Cam. I’m starting to feel tired.”
“Okay, we can do either of those. I’ll ask Noah to get my gym bag from my room. I can share your toothbrush for a night, right? I’ll get my other things later.”
Both our phones vibrated.
Woodward: Some news to deliver, gentlemen. Lucas most likely pulled a pectoral muscle and is not able to compete. We’ll know more with MRI results in a day or two. Camden has been selected to replace him. See you at team practice tomorrow at 9.
Orion: I can’t believe it, Luke. I’m so sorry.
Miles: Same. Our team won’t be the same without you.
Ezra: That really sucks. Fingers crossed for good MRI results.
Even Preston played nice. The other players’ coaches texted as well. The range went from supportive to shock.
“Let’s get a little something to eat, and then we can head to your room,” Cam suggested, carrying my bag for me. “I’m assuming all these numbers I don’t know are Ezra, Miles, and the other coaches?”
I was so grateful for him. “Yeah, I can tell you which ones are which later.”
“Cool. I’m going to call my mom on the way, if that’s okay.”
“Yeah, that’s fine.”
I heard Heather half-scream if I was okay. She calmed down after I spoke with her for a minute, but she seemed to connect the dots. I heard her ask if it was him or Colton. Her pride and excitement at Cam’s answer was exactly how the happy half of me felt. He would be amazing. I knew it.
The other half of me - I guess, the left half with its limp arm - was grumpy and hungry and wanted snuggles.
Cam said his goodbye just as he held the door to the dining hall open for me. It was packed. Not surprising considering it was close to dinner time. I received a few wide-eyed looks as my sling caught their attention. Everyone steered clear of us, however, for which I was grateful.
“How are you? Do you need anything? Oh, that sling looks awful. How does it feel? Cam, it’s good to see you again! It would be better under different circumstances, but-”
“I told you he’d be like an excited puppy.” That calmed him down.
“Aw, Luke. He’s just happy to see me again. Want me to text Jack Davies and have him come up for a visit?”
Ezra looked horrified.
“He’ll probably be thrilled to hear I’m out of the running.”
“What? You don’t think I can beat him?” Cam asked.
“Oh, I’d like to beat him, for sure.” Ezra gained the power of speech again.
“You mean you’d like to beat him off,” I countered.
“Not this again! This is not how I imagined an evening with two sex- I mean, two Olympians.”
“Should we make out in front of him? Rock his world?” Cam read my mind.
I turned to wrap my good arm around his body and looked up at him, licking my lips. I edged closer to his, but just as our lips were about to touch, we both turned and smiled at Ezra.
“Sorry, kid. Not tonight.”
“You bastards!” I’m sure he would’ve thrown something at us if my arm wasn’t in a sling.
“I might need some help in the shower if you want to join us later,” I called out to his retreating figure.
He flipped us off and closed the door to his room.
“Poor kid.”
“He just needs some ass, Cam. Think of what it felt like before me.”
“Ah yes. My hands remember it well,” Cam replied.
“So, we’re going to pretend we’re having really loud sex in here to fuck with him, right?”
“Why pretend?” Cam asked, before pulling my pants down.