17. Lucas #2
“Oh, she’s been a delight.”
“I bet. Is Woodward joining you for the interview?”
“Of course. Coach and the four of us,” Cam answered. “On the plus side, Preston getting the boot pushed me, Ezra and Miles into additional event finals. I’ll be in the pommel horse final now.”
“Congrats! That’s amazing!”
Colton flexed and Ty was giving me two thumbs up.
“The guys are happy for you. We are finishing up breakfast.”
“Uh, I could kill someone for some breakfast. I think someone’s running to get us some pastries and fruit.”
I almost forgot. “Did you still make the team finals?”
“Barely, but yes. We went from the first seed to seventh. As much as it sucks to admit, Preston was really good.”
“Because he was doping!”
“Yeah, sorry. It’s still hard to wrap my head around that. I mean, I know he was an asshole, but Dmitry disappeared, and Coach said Preston seemed as shocked as us.” Cam paused. “I-I don’t think he knew he was on anything.”
“Well, if that’s true, that’s awful. Is that what Coach wants you guys to say?”
“I think we’re going to defer to him to answer that. It’s pretty much speculation and none of us have talked to Preston. I did text him, but didn’t get a reply.”
“You’re such a good guy, Cam. That’s more than he deserves after the way he treated the team.”
“Yeah…I know, but he was concerned for you after, you know.”
My poor Cam sounded so dejected.
“Of course, if he didn’t know, then that’s awful.”
“Yeah.”
We stayed on the phone in silence. I watched Zeph pay for the breakfast, and I let him do it, offering him a mouthed ‘thank you’. He already paid for the hotel, for which I was grateful, so I wasn’t going to make a fuss over one meal. With a smile, he reached across the table to tousle my hair.
“I’m not sure when I’ll see you next,” Cam broke the silence.
“Oh. That’s…to be expected.”
“I don’t think they want us leaving the village any time soon.”
“O-okay. When’s the interview? Like…now?”
Cam let out a little laugh. “Pretty much. Miles is getting his make-up done. I’m next, so yeah.”
I wished him luck, asked what channel, told him I loved him, and let him go.
“Let’s go, guys. I wanna watch the interview. It’s happening shortly.”
Colton and Zeph nodded as Ty stood up to help me get my hoodie on, and then we fast-walked back to the hotel.
It wasn’t just some reporter interviewing them.
It was The Today Show’s Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb.
They were already in San Francisco to film their show for the entire run of the Olympics.
I wasn’t sure if Cam was aware of their identities, because I thought he had said it was just one person interviewing them.
Everyone but Woodward looked nervous, but that made sense, considering it was a live nationally-televised interview.
I didn’t think Ezra or Miles had ever done something this big before.
Savannah thanked them all for being there, taking the time away from what, as-she-put-it, was a once-in-a-lifetime, career-defining event.
Hoda tried to lighten the mood with a wine joke - calling attention to their tense body language while suggesting if the interview was later in the morning, they could’ve gotten away with it.
I thought Savannah was going to pipe up with a reply, but Cam - who seemed a little less twitchy than a few moments ago - said that while that might help the rest of the team, he preferred mixed drinks. But he only had one a year on Christmas.
And then they got sidetracked talking about his drink preferences for a few minutes, until someone - off-camera - directed them back to the topic at hand.
Savannah threw a few slow pitches about their Olympic experience so far, asking each one of the guys in turn.
I was shocked at how well-spoken Miles was, even though socially he had warmed up a little in my time on the team.
I assumed he would’ve been terrified to be on live television, but he was smooth and charming.
Maybe qualifying for the all-around finals had given him a boost of confidence?
By the time they made it to the first break, they hadn’t broached the topic, but before they cut to commercial, Savannah mentioned Preston, the ban, and that she and Hoda would be back with the team to hear what they had to say about it.
“Fuck, this is bringing me back to my interviews,” Zeph said, standing up and shaking out the apparent stress. “I’m gettin’ sweaty up in here.” He pulled his shirt off and tossed it aside.
“Why are you stressed?” Ty asked.
“Did you see the interviews he’s talkin’ ‘bout?” Colton followed Zeph, giving his back a little rub.
“Hey! Shouldn’t I be the one getting the backrub? My boyfriend is about to be grilled on national television.”
Without waiting another second, I felt Ty’s hand rub my neck and move to my shoulder blade.
“I was only half serious,” I said quietly, relishing in the skilled attention my tense muscles were receiving. Even if it alleviated an ounce of stress, it would help.
Cam seemed to be holding up. Watching him turn on his natural charm made me a little overprotective. He didn’t show that side to just anyone. But, if it was for the good of the team, I’d allow it.
I wondered if anyone was giving Cam a backrub right now.
The rest of the interview went really well, given the circumstances.
Woodward did handle the tougher, more speculative questions, confirming that the circumstances of the doping didn't matter.
Once an athlete tested positive, there was very little chance of overturning an Olympic ban.
He could only remember one successful appeal in recent history, but it was to keep a medal.
There wasn't a way to redo an entire Olympics after it had already happened.
“Thank you all so much for joining us this morning, and we wish you the best of luck with the rest of the competition. USA! USA!” Savannah joked.
“I actually have one last question for Camden,” Hoda added.
Oh?
“Rumor has it that Tyler Hale and Declan Moore will be getting married next week. Do you and Luke have any plans for the future?”
Seriously?
Cam looked stunned. I’d bet a million bucks that question wasn’t submitted beforehand.
“I-” Cam’s face was bright pink, his eyes wide. In his place, I would’ve been pissed instead of speechless.
Orion finally came to his rescue. “Cam and Luke are two of my best friends, and whether or not they choose to get married is their own business. In the meantime, we’ve got a gold medal to win.”
I didn’t pay close enough attention to what was said after that. I just wanted to see Cam. What was Hoda thinking?
“Wow, Ty. I didn’t realize your wedding was that big a deal,” Colton said, slapping him on the back.
“If you knew Declan’s mom, you wouldn’t be surprised,” he replied, then said to me, “I’m sure he’s fine. Just a little shook up.
I pulled my phone out to call Cam, but a text came through.
Woodward: Hey Luke, if you can meet us at the village, please do so.
Woodward: I’m sure Cam will want to see you. We’ll be by Main Security.
“Gotta go, boys. My man needs me.” I slipped some flip-flops on and made for the door.
“You want some company, or you good?” Ty asked.
“Should be fine, but I’ll let you know.”