Page 127 of Floored By Love

As if it could understand human speech, my stomach gurgled in response.

“Sounds like a yes,” Noah said, patting my back. “Sit down, I’ll get you a plate.”

“So, are we participating in the gala?” Luke asked me.

We were at Saint Thomas again, waiting for the doctor to return with the results from my exam. My mom, Noah and Shane were also with us.

“Oh, you have to do the gala, Cam! Both of you should do it. You didn’t do it last time. None of you boys did,” my mom said.

“We could wait to hear from the doctor?” Noah said, hovering behind me.

“Will you sit down? You’re making me nervous,” I snapped, just a little. I felt better, but anything could happen. “What would we do at the gala? Any ideas, coaches?”

Luke didn’t give them a chance to say anything. “I was thinking of doing some crazy stuff on the parallel bars. Like, not illegal, but stuff not seen in competitions.”

“You can do whatever you want,” Shane said. “There are really no rules. And it’s not being judged.”

“It’s just for fun, to let loose, and give the audience a show,” Noah said.

“Maybe you could incorporate some of your dance stuff into gymnastics?” Heather suggested.

“Ooh, I like that idea,” Luke said. “A routine choreographed to music could be beautiful, especially if I get to see you dance.”

“I’m-”

“We could do the Dirty Dancing lift scene!”

“Easy, tiger. It’s tonight. As much as that sounds...nice, I think it’s too ambitious. But I could easily add some dance movements to my floor routine.”

“Any ideas for the music?” Noah asked.

“I have a few.”

The door opened, and the doctor reappeared. “Mr. Kane, I’ve got some good news.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful!”

“Mom, he hasn’t told us anything yet.”

“Well, she should be excited, Mr. Kane. All your images came back clean. It looked good, but I needed to double check on the computer. Better resolution. The other tests were also clean. And your heart rate and blood pressure are normal. Well, normal for an Olympian.”

“What does this mean for my treatment? The prescriptions and all that,” I asked.

“You can stop everything you’re doing except the inhaler and the humidifier. I’d recommend the inhaler for another week, and the humidifier for at least another month as long as it’s not bothering you.”

“No more oxygen at night?” Luke asked, then mumbled, “Though we forgot it last night.”

The doctor shook his head. “Not needed anymore. A technician will swing by the hotel and retrieve your tank, so you don’t have to deal with it.”

“That would be great. Thank you. Anything else? Mom, do you have questions?”

“Where to next on this day-of-a-thousand tasks?” I asked Noah.

We were in another big SUV. The car service was apparently used to dealing with the paparazzi. They kept changing the car we were using.

“We’re heading back to the hotel to grab your gear, a quick snack, and the rest of the team, then it’s down to the arena for the interview and rehearsal slash practice for the gala. You’ll each get thirty minutes on whatever apparatus you want. I already submitted you for the floor, and Shane put you down for parallel bars.”

“Though you can still withdraw,” Shane said, “I think it would boost your image if you both participated.”