8. Camden #2
“What’s going on, Cam?” Woodward asked.
I sighed, knowing he wouldn’t drop it and Noah wouldn’t either, and the rest of the team would just pester someone until they found out everything anyway. I didn’t have anything to hide, though it was intensely personal.
“Do you wanna tell everyone, Zane? I didn’t mean to make this into a production, but I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”
“I mean, it’s embarrassing as fuck, but if you don’t mind everyone knowing, I don’t. I think we’re good now, right?”
I nodded in agreement.
“Will you just tell us already?!” Ezra was practically shimmying in anticipation.
“Well, basically,” I explained, “I had a huge crush on him in high school, and he pretty much just wham-bam-thank-you-Sam-ed me. He got off, didn’t care about my feelings, and ignored me until he graduated. We hadn’t seen each other since.”
“So you’re saying Zane was an asshole in high school that did what his dick told him to do?” Woodward asked.
I nodded, while Zane hemmed and hawed.
“Hey, that’s my coach you’re calling an asshole…Coach?” Ezra seemed to figure out who he was semi-yelling at halfway through his outburst.
“But you talked it over, and things are good?” Noah asked.
“Yeah, we’re good,” I answered.
“Great,” Woodward said. “Let’s get out there then. We’re already fifteen minutes late.”
After my warm-up, Noah had me on the rings.
We only had a few days before the opening ceremony.
It felt good to be back in the gym. Last month, I had come to terms with never being an Olympian again, and now, here I was.
I tried to clear my head as I pulled out another giant front handstand into a straddle L-sit.
The rings had been my most challenging event years ago, but I had been nailing this routine for a while.
It wasn’t going to dazzle the judges, but it was enough.
My core events had remained the vault and the floor. My innovation and creativity had been focused there. Luke had helped me spice up my parallel bar routine since that was his strength.
Despite the suddenness of it all, I felt prepared physically.
It was my brain that was playing catch up.
With the combination of Luke’s injury, its probable effect on our relationship, and the revelation that Zane Hunter was involved with the gymnastics team, I was on information overload and struggling to compartmentalize everything so I could focus.
“That was good, Cam, but you can do better.”
“Thanks,” I said, grabbing the offered water bottle.
“I figured we’d do some high bar work and call it good for the morning.
I’d like you back here for an afternoon session since you’ve missed a few days.
I know that’s a lot, but I can get an ice bath ready later if you think you need it.
Also, I’ve got all your official team gear being delivered to the locker room. ”
“Sounds good.”
We made our way to some chairs along the wall of the gym. The team was training in one of the smaller gyms on campus. The Olympic events themselves would be held in the Chase Center along the waterfront.
“So, I’m guessing Zane took your V-card?”
I knew this was coming.
“Nothing gets past you.”
“And you had no idea he was here, which means Luke didn’t recognize him.”
“Yup.”
“Have you told Luke yet?”
“No, I was saving that for right before the press conference. What’s his last name now?”
“Korhonen. I’ve met his husband, Torben. Seems nice.”
“What kind of name is Torben?”
“He’s Finnish, played semi-pro ice hockey. I’ve met him a few times over the years. I’ve seen him at meets before, in the stands. And Shane and Zane-”
“Sounds like a terrible crime-fighting duo.”
“The coaches have gone out a few times while you athletes were doing whatever it is you do when we’re not around. Torben’s been out with us, Hudson too. We’ve even dragged Cassandra out with us this week.”
“Huh.”
“We can have friends too, Cam. We’re not old hermits yet. I’m only a few years older than you.”
“Five. You’re five years older than me.”
“Oh, okay. That’s so much older. Where’s my cane?”
“He’s a good coach?” I changed topics.
Noah glanced over at Zane, who was going over something with Ezra on the pommel horse.
“Ezra seems to like him. I’ve never seen them at odds. I’m sure Ezra will have more to say to you later.”
I smiled. “I don’t know what you mean.”
Noah laughed. “He reminds me a little of you, actually. The way you used to ramble.”
“Used to?”
“Hard to believe, but you don’t do that as much as you used to.”
“It’s because I’m all mature and shit now.”
“That’s definitely the reason.”
I don’t know why I thought Ezra would wait until later to grill me about my past with Zane. As soon as we were naked and showering next to each other seemed like the perfect time to discuss my past sexual history.
I didn’t feel like baring my soul and I didn’t want to potentially alter his relationship with his coach, either. I needed to be delicate.
“Hey, how about you tell me about your first time?”
“Wh-what? Why would I do that?”
“Because that’s what you’re trying to discuss with me right now.
It’s not a pleasant memory and I don’t mean to be a dick, but to be blunt, Zane pretty much used me for sex and I’ve hated his guts for over a decade.
I’m still processing his apology, so if you don’t mind talking about something else, let’s do that. ”
I knew that wasn’t delicate, but I had no idea how else to say it. It’s what I felt and it was my truth. Ezra didn’t seem to know what to say, but mumbled an apology.
Thankfully, Orion rescued us from further awkwardness.
“How did it feel to be out there today?”
I turned away from Ezra to meet Orion’s gaze and we chatted back and forth a bit. Our conversation eventually morphed to include the other guys. They were about to have their first official press conference as Olympians. Albeit, Luke’s injury and withdrawal was going to be the main focus.
Hudson poked his head into the showers. “Just a heads up, you’ve got twenty minutes, boys.”
“Fuck, he’s hot,” Ezra said, once Hudson had left.
“What’d you say?”
I turned to look at Miles, who was staring at Ezra, waiting for a reply.
“Just appreciating the male form. I mean, wouldn’t you all agree?”
I definitely would. I’d say he was tall, but as a gymnast, pretty much everyone was tall to me.
His frame was dominated by broad shoulders and massive biceps.
I’d seen his Instagram fitness posts. He could do one-handed pull ups with weights hanging off a belt all day.
I didn’t know much about him other than he was a multi-sport athlete in college, a personal trainer slash fitness influencer, and was friends with Ty’s fiancé, Declan.
Orion spoke first. “Dude is ripped, for sure. I can’t say he’s my type, but whoever ends up in his bed is a lucky…person.”
I wasn’t sure if Hudson was gay either. Being friends with Declan didn’t mean he was or wasn't, but I didn’t know much about any of the coaches, so anything was a possibility. I could always ask Noah, but I didn’t really have a reason to care.
Miles seemed to have retreated back to wherever he went when the rest of us were talking.
I’m not sure if he didn’t hear Ezra earlier or if there was a tone.
Hudson was his coach, so it’s likely he was just being protective.
I would definitely pipe up if someone mentioned Noah’s name.
Although if they mentioned how hot Noah was, I’m not sure what my reaction would be.
Back near the village outside of one of the media rooms in the press building, I was impatiently waiting for Luke’s arrival. In twelve minutes, he’d be late for his own press conference. I knew why we were holding one. The team had changed. But without the MRI results, we didn’t know much.
“Have you heard from him?” Coach asked.
“Not since he texted earlier. He hasn’t answered me.”
“I just heard from Shane. They’re close. It seems they had trouble finding an Uber.”
“Alright, that’s something. We can’t really have it without him.”
“Makes sense, Coach. So how many more of these do we have?” Ezra asked.
“Well, as the host country, you can expect quite a lot of interest in us.”
“Oh.”
“You nervous, Ezra?” Orion asked, coming over to us.
“How could you tell?”
“I’m not sure if it’s the hair swishing or the way you keep unzipping your jacket and possibly checking to make sure you’re still wearing a shirt underneath?”
“What? I just want to look good.”
“I forgot. It’s your first one, isn’t it?” I asked.
He nodded.
“Well, buckle up, buttercup.”
Ezra stared at me, speechless.
“I’m kidding. It’ll be super easy. Just answer from your heart and don’t swear.” And I added, “And try not to offend Jack Davies.”
Ezra rolled his eyes at me, but before he could come up with a sassy comeback, the hallway door opened and my handsome boyfriend was there in his radiant, tousled glory.
He saw me immediately, popped a sexy lopsided grin, and said, “Sorry we’re late.”