Page 36 of The Forever Vault

I hadn’t looked at my phone since I left the gym. Shane had grabbed my bag before we left for the hospital. It was in there, so I fished it out and saw a flood of texts from Ezra, O, and Miles. There was even one from Preston, which was a shock. It appeared he wasn’t a complete dick.

I didn’t have the energy to text everyone back individually, and if that made me an ass, so be it. I just didn’t have it in me. The pain had amped up a little and the adrenalin had definitely worn off. I was wiped.

“I’m gonna need to lay down soon, or maybe eat something, Cam. I’m starting to feel tired.”

“Okay, we can do either of those. I’ll ask Noah to get my gym bag from my room. I can share your toothbrush for a night, right? I’ll get my other things later.”

Both our phones vibrated.

Woodward: Some news to deliver, gentlemen. Lucas most likely pulled a pectoral muscle and is not able to compete. We’ll know more with MRI results in a day or two. Camden has been selected to replace him. See you at team practice tomorrow at 9.

Orion: I can’t believe it, Luke. I’m so sorry.

Miles: Same. Our team won’t be the same without you.

Ezra: That really sucks. Fingers crossed for good MRI results.

Even Preston played nice. The other players’ coaches texted as well. The range went from supportive to shock.

“Let’s get a little something to eat, and then we can head to your room,” Cam suggested, carrying my bag for me. “I’m assuming all these numbers I don’t know are Ezra, Miles, and the other coaches?”

I was so grateful for him. “Yeah, I can tell you which ones are which later.”

“Cool. I’m going to call my mom on the way, if that’s okay.”

“Yeah, that’s fine.”

I heard Heather half-scream if I was okay. She calmed down after I spoke with her for a minute, but she seemed to connect the dots. I heard her ask if it was him or Colton. Her pride and excitement at Cam’s answer was exactly how the happy half of me felt. He would be amazing. I knew it.

The other half of me - I guess, the left half with its limp arm - was grumpy and hungry and wanted snuggles.

Cam said his goodbye just as he held the door to the dining hall open for me. It was packed. Not surprising considering it was close to dinner time. I received a few wide-eyed looks as my sling caught their attention. Everyone steered clear of us, however, for which I was grateful.

* * *

“How are you? Do you need anything? Oh, that sling looks awful. How does it feel? Cam, it’s good to see you again! It would be better under different circumstances, but-”

“I told you he’d be like an excited puppy.” That calmed him down.

“Aw, Luke. He’s just happy to see me again. Want me to text Jack Davies and have him come up for a visit?”

Ezra looked horrified.

“He’ll probably be thrilled to hear I’m out of the running.”

“What? You don’t think I can beat him?” Cam asked.

“Oh, I’d like to beat him, for sure.” Ezra gained the power of speech again.

“You mean you’d like to beat him off,” I countered.

“Not this again! This is not how I imagined an evening with two sex- I mean, two Olympians.”

“Should we make out in front of him? Rock his world?” Cam read my mind.

I turned to wrap my good arm around his body and looked up at him, licking my lips. I edged closer to his, but just as our lips were about to touch, we both turned and smiled at Ezra.

“Sorry, kid. Not tonight.”