Page 101 of The Forever Vault

“Are you kidding? There’s no time for that!”

“Well, you should definitely wear it for the all-around then.”

“Wear what?” Ezra asked, walking up with Zane by his side.

“Luke’s lucky jockstrap,” Cam answered.

“I definitely did not need to hear that,” Zane said, backing off a few steps to give us some space.

“Does that really work?” Ezra sat down next to Cam. “I could sure use some luck right about now.”

“Don’t look at me!” I said. “I’m not giving you my jockstrap.”

“Well yeah, I knew that.” Ezra chuckled. “I’ve just never been that superstitious.”

“Try not to think too hard about it,” I said.

“Just focus on one routine at a time,” Cam added. “You just need to do the vault. One vault. That’s it.”

“Easy for you to say. The vault is like getting out of bed for you.”

“You’re here for a reason, Ezra. No one can make you believe it but yourself.” Cam stood up. “Get ready. You’re next.”

Cam leaned down to steal a kiss from my lips and I wished him luck. He dropped his pants and headed up to the podium.

I’m gonna need him to bring that uniform to the hotel tonight.

“CAMDEN KANE. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”

Others had tried it. Some had even landed it, but no one did the Kane like its creator. Cam’s smile was huge after he landed perfectly. Not even an extra step. He couldn’t help but smile and his muscular arms told the crowd to get pumped and they listened. His eyes found mine as he stepped off the podium, where our entire team was waiting.

“Great way to start us off, Camden,” Woodward gave him a smack on the ass.

Noah gave him a hug. The rest offered their congratulations, and before I could get to him, I watched Cam pull the team into a huddle. He was a natural leader.

The group broke, and Ezra headed up to the podium.

We held hands until we moved to the next apparatus.

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.