Page 109 of Floored By Love

It was two-tenths higher than Etienne’s score.

“You deserve it,” I said, standing up with him, expecting another round of hugs. Even Etienne came over to congratulate Cam.

I had drawn the eighth spot, so I busied myself by teasing Cam.

“So, how do I know if I’m ready for the Kane? What if I want to do the Kane? Can anybody do the Kane now?”

“Stop! You’re gonna make me piss myself. We should be watching the other vaulters.”

“What skills do I need to perfect before attempting to give the Kane a go?”

“You’re so childish,” Cam said, giggling.

“Oh whatever, you know you love it.”

I hadn’t meant to use the L word yet, even in that context, so he surprised me when he said, “I do love it. Now, kiss our coin and get ready. You have a gold medal to steal.”

I didn’t steal Cam’s gold medal or Etienne’s silver. I finished in third place.

And I was happy with my bronze.

I was about to share the podium with Cam for the second time at this Olympics, with one important difference. We were together. He was the gold medalist this time around, so that was different too, but honestly, that made it even better for me. I’d rather see him get the gold, especially in the vault. I knew how hard he had worked perfecting the Kane.

It made me want to push Etienne right off the podium for attempting it so soon after Cam, but you know, decorum and all that.

Pssh.

With Cam on the podium right next to me, it took every fiber of my being to not be playful with him, but I held it together. I received my medal first and a single rose. On Cam’s other side, Etienne was next, and then Cam. As the flags raised, the Star-Spangled Banner played over the PA system.

With my hand over my heart, I smiled, knowing Cam was probably tearing up already. It was so sweet he got that emotional. I had never been like that. Sure, I was proud as fuck to have won a medal, but I had never cried during a ceremony. We never talked about it, but I was sure Cam’s father’s death contributed to his sensitivity.

And there was nothing wrong with him displaying his emotions like that. For me, anyway. For some Americans, unfortunately, it probably fit into their stereotype of a male gymnast. My sexuality certainly did, but tough shit. Our events were a lot harder than they looked, and despite my size, I could probably hold my own in a fight if I wanted to. Not that I’d go looking for one, but I could bench almost twice my body weight.

This was one reason I never cried during a ceremony. I couldn’t stop thinking about random shit.

The anthem ended and Cam shook Etienne’s hand, so I stepped off my podium to do the same, but Cam was in my path. He had a big fucking smirk on his face, so when he put his arms out, I mimicked him, going in for an expected hug.

The second before my arms went around his torso, his hands shot up, grabbing me by the back of my head with one and my neck with the other, and he pressed his lips against mine.

I dropped the rose I was holding. It seemed the noise was sucked out of the room. I was shocked but kept my hands on his waist. It wasn’t until I felt his tongue flick against my lips that I responded in kind.

The hum I heard Cam murmur as I kissed him back was the best sound I’d heard all week.

“Get it, Cam!” I heard someone from the audience yell, followed by a whoop. Ty, if I had to guess.

It would’ve been too much to hope for a “Cam and Luke” cheer, but eventually applause filled the arena. There were even a few cheers and whistles. It was all mostly from the American section of the stands, but once Cam broke the kiss, I saw Jake and Graham standing in the Aussie section, as well as a few other athletes I recognized standing throughout the arena.

This was certainly a first for men’s gymnastics. It might’ve been a first for a post-medal ceremony, and secretly, I hoped everyone had seen it broadcast around the world.

“So, I take it you're gay?” I asked Cam.

“That’s what you’re going with?” he asked, intertwining his fingers with mine.

“Yes? I’m shocked, honestly. I thought you’d go the more traditional route. Instagram announcement, press tour, Ellen DeGeneres interview.”

“I guess I was just carried away with the moment.”

“You couldn’t wait, could you? You just had to taste these lips?” I teased, bending over to pick up my rose.