Page 42 of Floored By Love

“Better than me?”

“Nobody’s better than you, Cam.”

I recognized that voice and I could feel my smile wrinkles pop next to my eyes. It was the voice of my best friend.

“Erika!!!” I screamed, turning around only to be slammed into by her smaller frame. Her muscles meant it was a solid hit. “Watch the goods, sister.”

“Lord knows you might need them after that performance out there.” She backed off and waggled her eyebrows.

“I wouldn’t know what you’d be referring to.”

“How are you doing, Erika?”

“I’m doing well, Heather. Thanks for asking. I’d be better if I saw this hermit more,” she added, poking me in the stomach.

“Well, not all of us have fancy financier fiancés.”

“Funny,” this deep, smoky voice said. “Betcha can’t say that three times fast.”

I glanced next to Erika and scrunched my eyebrows, wondering why this fan was intruding on a private conversation. It was kind of rude, but I instinctively tried to smile.

“Oh my god, do you not recognize him, Cam?”

I felt a small panic creep into my brain and my cheeks pinkened. I looked at the guy closer. He was built. I mean...sploosh. Even though it was dark out, I could tell his tight t-shirt was doing a poor job of containing the muscles underneath.

“Are you checking out my brother?!” Erika half-screamed, giving my stomach another poke.

Her brother? “Austin?” I asked, my voice accidentally breaking an octave higher. “I was not!”

“Uh, yeah,” he answered, shifting his weight back and forth between his feet. He brushed his hand back through his hair. “I guess I’ve grown. I ended up taking my gym workouts a little seriously that summer.”

“More like every summer. He’s downplaying his prowess. He’s like a super state champ wrestler now. His coach is here with us for the trip. I’m here for you, the girls, and to make sure this one sees all the wrestling matches he wants.”

“Wow. That’s amazing.” I had no idea.

“My parents wouldn’t let me come unless I stayed with Erika.”

I nodded.

“I don’t know why I said that.” His cheeks turned red and his fidgeting increased. “Or that.” Another swipe through his hair.

Fuck. I wondered if he was nervous because he had a thing for me. Not that it was a tremendous problem. He was Colton’s height, but probably had twenty pounds more muscle. Despite my athletic ability, I could tell he was stronger than me. I willed myself not to look at his crotch because he was Erika’s brother. I could not go there.

“Where are you staying, Erika?” my mom asked, snapping me out of fantasyland.

“We found an Airbnb by Covent Garden. It was cheaper than a hotel. The owner wanted out of town for the Olympics. Something about the massive crowds of people turned him away.”

“Oh, that sounds nice.”

“Wanna hang tomorrow before the women go on, Cam?”

“Sure, sounds good. Shoot me a text.”

“Nice to see you, Cam. You did great tonight.”

“Uh...thanks-” Adonis, “-Austin. See ya!”

“Well, sweetie, it’s late and I need to get back to my hotel.”