Page 153 of The Forever Vault

“Maybe with the right judges?” I suggested. “It certainly impresses me.”

“Do you ever think we talk about sex too much?” Cam asked, before pulling his leotard up.

“I don’t think a limit exists. Besides, talking usually leads to doing and that really works for me. Do you think we talk about it too much?”

“I think we talk about it more than most people around us, but it works, so-”

“So, don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, or in our case, in between its legs.”

Cam chuckled and finished dressing, adding pants, sneakers and a jacket to his ensemble. I thought about it a little more. “Plus, our flirting usually seems to work for you during competitions. Maybe it gets your blood pumping, or affects your testosterone?”

“Or maybe I just want to impress you?” Cam suggested.

“You don’t need any Olympic medals for that to happen. Everything about you is plenty impressive, babe.”

28

Camden

I was thankful for the flirty banter. Luke was right, it did work for me during competitions. But it was normally watching Luke perform that really distracted me. Without him on the podium, it was even more obvious that I was competing for both of us. Not that he put any pressure on me, but that’s how it was. There was no sugar coating it.

Ezra got everything settled, then he and Zane left to watch us with the rest of the crew from above. Luke said there was a suite now for team members and families.

“Good luck, Cam. I’m so proud of all you’ve done,” Noah said, pulling me in for a hug, before he and Cassandra left too.

I watched the door close, and then it was just me, Luke, Orion and Woodward.

“How’s Erika doing?” Woodward asked.

“Good. According to Insta, she’s home. Little Johan is doing well.”

“You said Johan?”

I nodded.

“I wonder if she knows that’s the name of a highly decorated gymnast from the seventies.”

“Knowing Erika, it was the name she wanted all along, and she only made Isaak think they were picking it because it's Dutch,” I replied, giving Woodward a good laugh.

After a knock on the door, an official entered to tell us the podium was ready for warm-ups to start. If desired, each athlete could have up to three minutes on the rings. We would start in thirty minutes.

“Let’s go, gentlemen. The crowd awaits.”

“You didn’t tell me Etienne Beaufort made this event final.” I knew I was whining, but I didn’t care. It was clear he didn’t like me, so I made it a point to return the favor.

“So much happened yesterday, I didn’t get a chance to look. Sorry?” Luke rubbed my arm, a mildly successful attempt at comfort.

“I thought he had retired. He’s so old.”

Luke laughed. “Hate to burst your bubble, babe, but he’s a year older than us. Also, the coachy part of my brain wants me to tell you to ignore him and focus on how you’re going to kill this routine, okay?”

I nodded.

“Toss your bag down, take off your jacket and shoes, and let’s get over to the rings and warm up.”

“Got it.” Coach Luke was appreciated. Outside of the gym, Luke always knew what to say to me anyway, but he was a world-class gymnast. If anyone could make me focus and keep me on target the next two days, it was him.

I felt the weight of the rings in my jacket pocket when I set it down on the chair. Something clicked this morning and I needed them with me. I wasn’t just going to blurt it out - I needed the right moment - but I didn’t want to wait anymore. I wanted us to be more than boyfriends.