19. Lucas #2
I’m not sure if it was that I wasn’t competing but was still in the middle of the action, or if it was that we were competing in the US, but whatever it was, it was mesmerizing.
Usually, I’d be worried about what the other teams were doing and watching the other events, but I couldn’t take my eyes off our team.
The score was like something the women’s team would have. We had one event left and we were, so far, out in front. It seemed impossible, but the scoreboard didn’t lie. It was really happening.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” Cam said.
“I did so good,” Ezra added, half-stumbling over to where we were seated.
“Yeah, you did!” O came up from behind to give him a half-hug.
Even Miles looked drunk with bliss.
“One more event, gentlemen. I am so proud of what we’ve done so far tonight.
Just put what you’ve put into every other event into this last one and it will be one for the record books!
” Woodward squeezed them all into a group hug, before yelling “USA!” at the top of his lungs and lumbering off to pull his last remaining hairs out.
I heard Zane telling Ezra how proud he was of him, and I made my way over to offer my congratulations. Ezra’s job for the team was done. It was up to Miles, Orion and Cam on the floor to finish it.
After waiting for Brazil to finish on the floor, it was time to rotate. Once we had our stuff situated, Woodward said, “Miles first, Orion second, and Cam will finish it out.”
The guys nodded and Miles and O headed to the podium to warm up. Cam lingered.
“Another kiss for luck?” I asked.
“I won’t ever say no to that.”
I leaned in and gave him as unchaste a kiss as I could with multiple live-feed cameras and millions of people watching. Pulling back from his embrace, I teased him. “Between these lips and the platypus coin, I’m not sure who’s had more action tonight.”
Cam smirked. “I can tell you which one is going to get some action later.”
“Careful, Mr. Kane. Your dick’s gorgeous, but I don’t want the whole world seeing it just yet.”
“Too bad.” Cam pulled back.
“Maybe we can find some transparent Andrew Christian briefs and you can join me for a photoshoot some time.”
“I’d consider it.” Cam gave his palm a kiss, then tossed the coin to me.
I caught it without trouble, gave it a quick kiss myself, and slipped it into my pants pocket. It had brought us so much luck. It just needed to last a little bit longer.
Like, nine more days.
For fuck’s sake, we were so far in the lead and I didn’t want to jinx it by saying it out loud, but the guys would have to pretty much just go out on the floor and sit there for seventy seconds to lose the gold. Even so, my ass was clenched the entire time.
The crowd wasn’t even trying to be reserved anymore, though when Miles saluted the judges to start, the volume dipped just a little. After all, he needed to concentrate.
With each successful tumble, the crowd got a little more amped - other apparatus be damned. I’m sure it was frustrating to the other athletes, but that was part of it. London went berserk for their gymnasts.
Miles didn’t fall. His score would be excellent.
When the score posted, Miles leapt into Hudson’s arms and the team swarmed them with congratulatory slaps and pats. Zane was doing his best to contain Ezra.
“ORION ELLIS. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”
Woodward gave him one last whisper of advice and then all our eyes were watching him. Cam’s fingers interlaced with mine and a smile immediately flashed across my face.
Orion had come such a long way since the shy kid I met in New York City that had a crush on me. I mean, I guess I had too, since both of us were in committed relationships and that’s really the only reason that thought crossed my mind as I watched him sprint into his first pass.
O didn’t fall either.
Cam’s routine would be the one to clinch the gold.
“Up to you, pal.” Noah snuck up behind us, squeezing us together. “You got this. Fly, my little butterfly!”
“Shut up, Noah!”
I could hear the groan in Cam’s voice despite his grin.
“What? You’d prefer an ass pat? I can do that.”
“He’s had enough of those for a lifetime,” I interjected. “No more touching of Cam’s ass.”
“Tell that to everyone else,” Noah teased.
I used Noah as a screen to give the ass under discussion a tiny pinch. “Go get it, handsome.”
“Thanks, Luke.”
And then I watched the perkiest ass make its way onto the podium and heard the name of the love of my life announced. The crowd’s reaction was the loudest of the night. I wasn’t playing favorites. Cam was the leader of this team, and the arena loved him.
The other events were done. The scores, set.
All eyes were on my boyfriend.
It wasn’t a perfect routine, but it was close enough, and the power he put into each tumbling pass was breathtaking.
With each movement, I was reminded of the strength and quiet beauty he possessed.
It was his body I first noticed when he walked into the gym in Florida all those years ago, but it was his presence on the podium that solidified the attraction.
Cam owned it.
He transitioned seamlessly from one strength move into another, turning a handstand into a series of flairs before approaching the corner for his last pass. I could tell he was repressing a smile. Of course the little fucker was enjoying this. Like it was a walk in the park!
I admired his composure, which, of course, as soon as he landed the pass and saluted the judges, shattered immediately with a whoop and a swinging fist pump.
The arena erupted into a deluge of cheers. It was hard to hear what Noah was saying even though we were next to each other, but I’m guessing he was also screaming at the top of his lungs in happiness.
It was a formality at this point to see Cam’s score. There was no way it was close.
The entire team, with all the coaches, met Cam coming off the podium, but he ignored everyone and came straight for me. Careful with my sling, he squeezed me so tight, running his fingers through my curls.
“I’d never have gotten this far without you,” he whispered into my ear, as we were jostled by everyone around us.
I whispered back, “That’s true. If I didn’t fuck my chest up, you’d be sitting up there with Ty.”
He pulled away from me to make eye contact. “That’s not what I meant at all.”
“I know. I was only teasing.”
He seemed to consider what I said for a moment, before replying. “I’m glad you can joke about it, but I’ve never felt more worried in my life when I got that text from Shane…after you lied to me and said you were fine.”
“Your score, Cam!” Ezra slid in between us. I swear if he were a dog his tail would be thumping both of us right now.
“Well, I am fine, and you’re about to be a gold medalist,” I said, around Ezra’s face. “And I promise I won’t lie to you ever again.”
14.933.
The arena erupted. The team surrounded us.
I couldn’t see beyond the crush of bodies jumping up and down around us.
I found my way into Cam’s arms and we just let everyone else push us together.
I just kept telling him how much I loved him and how proud I was of him as he cradled me in his arms, protective of my injured side.
In time, the crush ended, and the other teams came over to congratulate Cam and his teammates. A few of the experienced gymnasts like Jack Davies and Hiruto Uchida came to chat me up for a little bit. I’ll admit that was a nice surprise, to get a little attention from them.
Japan ended up in second place and Brazil in third. I’d have to look back at the scores, but it seemed Great Britain fell off a little. I wasn’t sure how severe Jack’s injury had been since he performed anyway, but maybe with him a little off, his team lost its rhythm.
I’d have to ask Ezra to tell us the whole story.
After he stopped singing We Are the Champions.