Page 107 of Floored By Love

“Turns out, we were both right, and the judges agreed.”

“And it’s a good thing,” Shane said. “Without it, Alex would’ve come in third.”

“At the time it seemed almost petty, but I’m glad we did it.”

“I’m glad too, Coach,” Alex said. “Thanks for having my back.”

“Anytime, Olympic gold medalist, Alexander Chen,” Woodward said, patting him on the ass.

I couldn’t help but think of spanking Luke the other night. It had forever changed any future ass slaps committed in my presence.

“You guys ready?” Alex asked.

“Of course,” I replied, snapping out of my sexual reminiscence.

“He is the King of the Vault, you know,” Luke added.

“I thought I was still a prince.”

“You’re always a king in my bed. Book, I mean. Definitely book.”

“I’ll just pretend I didn’t hear that,” Alex said.

“I could hear it again,” I said.

26

Lucas

“That fucker!” Cam half-yelled.

“Camden! People can read lips, you know?” Noah said, handing him a towel. “Swear into this.”

Etienne Beafort just launched himself into first place with the Kane.

“I can’t believe he just did my vault. I only debuted it like a week ago.”

“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, kiddo,” Woodward said as he approached Cam and sat next to him.

“Well, I’m not flattered.”

“Do you know the rest of that quote, Cam?” Noah asked.

“No.”

“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.”

Cam stared for a few seconds. “And?”

“What Noah and Oscar Wilde are saying is that Etienne is the mediocrity and you are the greatness,” I said, squatting in front of him, our eyes were level. “You’re better than him and he knows it. He’s probably trying to rattle you, but you’re better than that too.”

“Luke’s right, Cam. You can wipe the floor with him,” Noah said. “It’s your vault. Nobody does it better.”

I gave him some space. I could see him take a few deep breaths. Noah was encouraging him to relax and focus. He closed his eyes for almost a minute before standing up.

“I’m ready.”

A chorus of “attaboys” surrounded him, and I held out the coin for him as he walked over to me.