26. Camden
Camden
I couldn’t help it. The anthem did it every time, and even though it was technically for O, I was still crying. But Luke knew me well enough to wrap the coin in tissues. I pulled one out of my pocket to quickly wipe my face, so I didn’t look like a leaky faucet in all the photos.
And soon, it would be straight to the hospital because now, of all times, was when Erika went into labor. Not that she had a choice, but man…what timing.
The baby’s finally here.
The smile on my face was for the little guy, though I should be smiling because of my bronze medal. I was completely on board with Orion to skip the ceremony, but then Austin convinced him to stay, and I could see that Luke was with him too, so I stayed.
Woodward already said he’d cover the press conference for us, explaining we had a personal matter to attend to. After all, I had two more event finals tomorrow and Orion had one, so we’d be able to answer all the questions anyone had after those.
“…AND THE HOME OF THE brAVE.”
Orion and I sandwiched Rasmus with bro-hugs, shook the hands of the FIG and IOC representatives that handed us our medals and dahlia bouquets for a second time, and made our way off the podium.
“Make sure you give some time for the other athletes and coaches to congratulate you. I know you want to leave,” Woodward said, greeting us.
“Will do, Coach.” Orion nodded.
I went to my bag to pretend to gather my things.
It was already packed and ready, but Woodward was right.
The sportsmanlike thing to do was accept the congrats of the other athletes.
When I turned around with my bag on my shoulder, most of them were there, and in less than five minutes, everyone on the floor that could’ve come over had done so.
“Give Erika, I mean, Mrs. van der Berg, my best.”
“Thanks, Coach. Will do.”
I sent a quick text to Luke.
Cam: You getting an Uber?
“We’re not showering, right?” Orion asked.
“I wasn’t planning on it. I was going to change into street clothes though.”
“Okay.”
My phone vibrated as we went through the door into the locker room.
Luke: Already requested an XL, your mom and Cecelia are coming with.
Luke: We’ll see you at the transportation circle.
“Luke’s getting an Uber,” I said to Orion.
“Good.”
I tossed my bag down and opened my locker. “I think if we’re quick, we can meet up with them in ten minutes.”
“Are we running?”
“Maybe?”
“Shit. Really?”
“We don’t have to,” I said, a little confused. “I’m sure he’s not sticking his head out or anything yet, or we would’ve heard something.”
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything.”
I kicked off my shoes, pulled my official team jacket and pants off, then asked, “Why does running matter?”
“Don’t make it a big deal, and don’t tell Luke.” He ran his hand over his short hair. “God, this is embarrassing.”
I stopped to give him my full attention. “I’m standing here in just a leotard, Orion. It can’t be that bad, and I’m your teammate. There’s nothing you can say that’s going to change our friendship.”
“I was hoping to wear something comfy to the hospital. If we run, I’ve got to wear something more constrictive.”
He must’ve seen my expression.
“I don’t think it’s wise to have my dick waving around in public. There are cameras everywhere, and it tends to be really obvious if I don’t smoosh it behind spandex or super tight underwear.”
“You’re talking about VPL, visible penis line,” I said, peeling my leotard off and shoving everything into my locker.
“So you’ve noticed.”
“Not you specifically, but it’s hard not to watch Austin’s matches or Declan’s races and not see every guy’s package highlighted in tight, colorful fabric.”
Orion nodded. “I get it. I like seeing my boy in his singlet. But after I compete, it’s nice to let it hang.
I don’t want it all smashed together all day.
Loose cotton boxers are what I feel good wearing.
Austin says it’s still noticeable, but I think that’s ‘cause he’s staring at it all the time no matter what. ”
I pulled up my skinny jeans and bent over to tie my Metcons. “You better start undressing if you don’t want to run.”
Orion kicked it in gear and stripped. “Don’t perve on me now. I just know you’re gonna look down there.”
As much as I wanted to stare to make him laugh, I respected his privacy and texted Luke instead.
Cam: Might be a few more minutes. Got held up.
Luke: Looks like traffic for the driver. They’re still not here yet, no worries.
It was nice for Orion to open up, even if it was about sub-fabric penile obviousness.
I may have noticed his dick was bigger than mine, but I had never thought about the logistics of dealing with an above average amount of flaccid flesh bouncing around down there.
I was completely familiar with awkward boners since mine was significant, but Orion and I could talk about awkward hard dicks another day.
“Sorry I made us talk about my dick,” Orion said, stepping over to me.
“Oh, is that what we were talking about? I hadn’t noticed,” I teased. “You ready?”
“Yeah, let’s go.”
I double-checked with Noah which was the fastest way out of the arena before leaving him with Woodward to stand in for me at the press event. Orion was close behind me.
“Is it weird that I feel better after that discussion?”
“The one about dealing with a super-sized sausage?”
Orion laughed. “Yeah, that one.”
I didn’t hesitate. “Not really. You got something off your chest, something that you wanted to talk about. That should feel good.”
I saw Orion check to see we were alone in the corridor. “I used to talk to Luke more about sex stuff, but when Austin and I got serious, it didn’t feel right anymore.”
“It became too personal,” I said.
“Maybe? In reality, Austin thought it was weird, so I stopped.”
“I’m trying to picture no-filter Austin as bashful, but I’m having a difficult time with that.”
“He doesn’t have any other gay friends, like a group, like you two do, so he’s never really gotten used to the idea that sex stuff is a common topic of conversation.”
“Is this your way of asking to hang out with us more? Is that why you guys didn’t come to Cabo?”
Orion smiled. “Part training for the Olympics, part Austin’s intimidated by all of you.”
I nodded. “I guess I can see that.”
“Plus, I think his head would’ve exploded if half the stuff I’ve heard is true.”
“I think more than that would’ve exploded.” I smiled. “Should be just outside these doors.”
I pushed through one side of a set of double doors, just as Orion said, “Austin doesn’t see himself on the same level as you guys.”
Before anyone spotted us, I quickly added, “Well, once he wins an Olympic medal, he’d better, and Luke’s always there if you need to talk.”
“Thanks, Cam.”
The car ride with nine of us was chaotic to say the least. Orion’s family was all about his gold medal, understandably, as was my mother over mine.
But both Austin and I were trying to get an update from the hospital and failing.
At the very least, Isaak had sent a text to confirm the hospital in the birth plan was their destination, so we had that.
I heard Warren’s whistle from the front seat. We all agreed, as the biggest, he should get the leg room. I looked out the window at what made him react and yeah, the maternity hospital looked like a palace. I should’ve expected it for the van der Bergs.
“Can you be underdressed for a hospital?” Orion said what I was thinking.
“Oh hush,” his mom scolded.
Our driver pulled into the covered entrance to drop us off, and I hopped out as soon as the vehicle stopped. I turned to find Luke, planting a quick kiss on his lips.
“I doubt they’ll let us all in. You okay if I run in now?”
“Yeah, that’s fine. I love you, Uncle Cam. Give Erika a kiss for me,” Luke replied.
“Alright, who paid for this car? I don’t want them paying the whole thing,” Cecilia asked.
Before my mother offered some form of repayment and it turned into a discussion of Venmo and Paypal transactions, I slipped away from the crowd, pulling a distracted Austin with me.
“Let’s go find your sister.”
We entered the bright atrium and quiet, soothing music drifted down from somewhere above. A large rounded desk in the center with a sign indicating check-in was my target.
“Excuse me, we’re family members of Erika van der Berg hoping to be directed to her birthing floor.” I wasn’t wasting time.
“They mentioned two handsome gentlemen might be the first to arrive. Cam and Austin?”
“That would be us, ma’am.” I gave as charming a smile as I could.
“Congrats on your medals so far. My daughter does gymnastics. She’s a big fan.
Mrs. van der Berg is on the fifth floor, just head down this hall, up the elevator on your left, exit to the right and the waiting room is right there.
There’s another station there where they can grant you access to her room if possible. ”
“Thank you”—I glanced down at her nametag—“Nancy.” I made a mental note of her name, hoping I’d remember to send her daughter an autographed photo later.
“There’s more people coming,” Austin added. “Can they all fit in the waiting room upstairs too?”
Nancy nodded. “It’s an exclusive wing of the hospital. There’s only two patients in there at the moment. You’ll be fine.”
I silently thanked Austin for asking about the others, then continued to drag him further into the hospital.
“You remember the directions?” he asked.
“Left elevator, fifth floor, exit to the right,” I answered.
“Show off.”
I knew we were in the right place immediately. David was there with Isaak, who looked shaken, but greeted me right away.
"Cam, thank God."
"How is she?" Austin asked .
His dad answered, "Great, but a little feisty. Mr. Silicon Valley here made the mistake of saying he was already exhausted for her. She sent him away."
I held back my laughter to ask, "Who’s with her?"
"Just Rebecca."
I didn't say anything more. I walked over to the other station Nancy mentioned and asked what I needed to do to be with Erika.
"Family?"
Before I could answer, Austin was beside me. "We’re her brothers."