12. Camden
Camden
“Nice work today, Cam,” Noah said, giving my shoulder a squeeze. “I know you’re worried, but you look great.”
I scoffed, dropping a towel on the floor. “You still think I have a shot? Even though I’m like the oldest all-arounder here?” I started to pull the bands off my biceps and down my arms. My parallel bar routine this time around was a skin ripper.
“There are actually four athletes older than you I consider to be all-arounders, and yes, you’re a medal contender.
Obviously, I wasn’t part of the selection committee, but your scores were close.
Woodward followed the scoreboard instead of his heart.
He’s a fair man. He didn’t want to play favorites, and that’s honorable of him. ”
“I suppose.”
“It’s also why he took you instead of Colton. He can say it’s because you’re more of an all-around athlete, but I know it was the scores. I can look it up. You were probably a tenth of a point away from the team.”
“No, no. It’s fine. I’m on the team now. That’s what matters.”
“Damn straight. Shower up and say hi to Luke for me. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Night, Noah.”
I shoved everything in my bag as I watched him walk away and headed for the locker room. I hadn’t made it two steps inside when I heard Orion say, “I can’t believe he’s out. We need to hire security for you immediately. I’m not going to-”
And that’s when he saw he wasn’t alone. I offered him a concerned smile.
“Send me your location and leave it on. Is Keion with you?”
He turned away from me and I didn’t hear anything else. Not that I was trying.
I put my bag down on the bench and started to peel off my clothes. By the time I was down to just my jock, Orion came around the corner.
“Everything okay?” I asked.
“I gotta go, but I can explain later. I need to get to Austin.”
I nodded. “Totally fine. Let me know if there’s anything I can do. Do you want me to call Woodward?”
“Nah, man. Thanks. I need to talk to Austin first. We’ll figure it out.”
We said our goodbyes and I was left alone, questioning if I should call Luke about it. Maybe he knew something I didn’t?
I dropped my sweaty jock on top of the rest of my clothes on the floor, then brought the whole pile over to the laundry bin. There were facilities in the dorms, but we could also get stuff washed this way. I never liked carrying around clothes that were that sweaty.
I grabbed my towel and headed to the showers. I wished this could be a long relaxing one where I played with my dick, making it semi-hard and aching for Luke, but I had plans to grab a quick snack and hit the gym.
I knew Luke was concerned I was pushing myself too hard, but he let it slide when I told him I was getting an evening workout in. He might’ve been slightly disappointed, but Ty was there. I told myself I was giving them a night alone.
My mom should be here tomorrow, the day of the opening ceremony. The next day was the qualifiers. I had two days. Well, less than that, technically.
Normally, I’d already be relaxing, but I couldn’t. Not yet. I could relax tomorrow.
I turned the water off and dried myself as best I could quickly before heading back to my locker, thoughts of Orion’s conversation popped back into my head.
I checked my phone.
Tyler: Hope I didn’t scare you off.
Tyler: Luke’s worried you’re pushing yourself too hard. Don’t.
Tyler: Hope to see you tomorrow.
Cam: Have fun tonight! Glad you’re here. See you tomorrow.
I had one from my mom with her flight info, and one from Luke. I told him I’d call him later if he was still awake when I got back to my room.
Then I thought about the conversation from earlier, and sent one to Orion.
Cam: I mean it. I’m here if you need me.
I pulled on some sweatshorts, a tank, and socks, and slipped into my Metcons. After I tossed my towel in with the laundry, I stopped at the mirror to fix my hair before heading out.
The gym, where I was headed, like most things on campus, had been improved for the Olympics.
Mostly, that meant that everything was made bigger.
It would eventually become the new student fitness center.
In the same building, a new pool was constructed where the swimmers and divers could train.
It was less than a ten minute walk from the gym where we were training.
For this time of night, the gym was still pretty busy. It made sense. This was the Olympics after all. After retrieving my earbuds, I tossed my bag in a cubby along the wall and found a space on one of the matted areas of the floor.
I didn’t plan on a heavy workout. I just wanted to stretch, target a few muscle groups with varying intensities, and then relax on the rowing machine for a bit.
I was focused and listening to my music, so I’m not sure when Hudson showed up or if he was there the whole time.
My eyes couldn’t help but notice Hudson, and that’s when I noticed Miles with him.
I don’t think I had heard either say more than twenty words, but they were chatting away with each other, and both were all smiles.
It was a bit of a shock. They were usually so reserved.
As I switched over to the rowing machine for my cooldown, I couldn’t help but watch them.
There wasn’t anything else to do. The TVs were all news and sports.
I didn’t need to hear about the Olympics and everyone’s speculation.
I was already here and I knew what I had to do.
But for some reason, I found the sociable interactions of Miles and Hudson fascinating.
They were like different people. Like two friends, hanging out.
I wondered if the team made Miles uncomfortable somehow, like he couldn’t be himself around us. It was none of my business, but when Hudson jogged off, disappearing into the locker room, I decided my workout was over.
My curiosity was piqued. Miles was alone on the overhead press.
“Hey, Miles!” I said, walking up.
“Oh hey, Cam,” he replied, smiling. “Getting a late workout in?”
“As are you and Hudson.”
There was perhaps a slight blush, but no hesitation. “Yup. Hudson has had me on the same schedule for weeks now to prep for this. Not letting up now when it’s this close.”
“That makes sense.”
I didn’t know how to say this, but I really didn’t want us to keep doing something around him if he was uncomfortable.
“Was there something else, Cam?”
“Oh, yeah…sorry. I couldn’t help but notice that you’ve been really not quiet with Hudson, and you’re typically really quiet around the team. Are we doing something to make you uncomfortable? Sorry to ask. I know it’s probably weird of me to say something, but I was a little worried.”
“Oh,” he said. “That’s a bit unexpected.” Then he smiled. “I’m sure you behave differently when you’re alone with Luke than when you’re with the team. I hadn’t noticed, I guess. I can talk to you more if you want me to.”
“No, no. I just wanted to check. I mean, I won’t say no to you talking to me more. Just something I noticed. I probably shouldn’t have said anything. Good night. See you tomorrow.”
God, why did I say anything?
Because you were worried.
I grabbed my bag and held the door open for two guys that towered over me, but one of them gave my body a scan and smiled appreciatively. They both said, “Thanks,” so I told them to have a good workout. I swore the one that checked me out said he’d like to give me a workout, but I wasn’t sure.
I was probably imagining that guy’s eyes on my ass, but I made sure to flex my glutes anyway before I turned to the dorm.
Wait a second. If Miles compared me acting differently around Luke to his behavior around Hudson, does that mean they’re together?
I tried to think back if I had ever seen anything else that would confirm that, but there was nothing obvious. Something else to ask Luke, and maybe Ty, about later.
Ezra was watching TV in the living room again.
“Hey,” he nodded. “Are you just getting back from a workout or Luke?”
“Workout.” I smiled. “What have you been up to?”
“Trying and failing to relax.”
“I’m gonna shower real quick, but then would you wanna grab something to eat real quick?”
“It’s almost nine o’clock.”
“I’m aware, but we don’t have an official practice tomorrow. Does Zane have you doing anything?”
He shook his head. “Told me to relax. My family’s on their way, should be here tomorrow.”
“Well, we can have a snack right now, can’t we? And then maybe Tadashi wants to snuggle after?”
Ezra’s head whipped towards me. “Really?”
“You said you find it relaxing, and I said I’m willing to try it. Especially if it helps you.”
“You won’t tell anyone?”
“Not if you don’t want me to. Not even Luke.”
“I can understand if you want to tell Luke though. I wouldn’t want him to be jealous.”
“I don’t think he’ll mind.” I had found him in bed with two of our friends the other day.
“Okay, I’ll see you in a minute.”
I felt good as I headed to my room. Ezra’s smile was huge when I suggested the plan for the night.
I could tell Ezra was nervous because the table hadn’t stopped vibrating since we sat down. I grabbed a chicken caesar salad and Ezra chose a banana with peanut butter.
“You know if you don’t want to do this, you don’t have to. Just because we said we’d do it doesn’t mean you can’t change your mind.”
“No, it’s fine,” Ezra said, focusing his attention on the banana and not me. “I just haven’t ever done this with anyone I know. It’s just been anonymous guys.”
“Well, you should feel safer with me.”
“Oh, I feel safe. I just also feel really self-conscious.”
“Well, once you put your hood on, you won’t feel that way, will you, pup?”
Ezra’s eyebrows skyrocketed up his forehead. “How did-? What did you-?”
“It’s called Google, Ezra.” I lifted my phone off the table.
“Oh.” He chuckled and let his knee rest. The table finally stopped vibrating. “That was thoughtful of you.”
“I kind of offered something yesterday without knowing a whole lot about it, so I did some research today.”
“And you’re still-”
“Fine with it? Yup.”
I heard the sigh of relief and smiled. “You about ready? I’m getting sleepy.”