Page 152 of Floored By Love

“Thanks, Shane. What are you doing here?”

“Wow. What a welcome! Can’t a coach check in on his athlete?”

“What? Are we starting training already?”

“You mean you haven’t been to the gym?”

“I went with Ty a couple of days ago. And-”

“He’s been getting enough of a workout with me,” Cam spoke up.

“Ew,” Noah said. “You’re like my little brother. I don’t need to hear that.”

“What? It’s not like you and Shane are celibate either.”

“I’m just going to pretend this conversation never happened, Cam.”

Shane ignored both of them. “To answer your question, Luke. The team’s meeting up. Coach, Ty and the other assistants should be here soon. We’re heading to a big get together with everyone’s families before the closing ceremony tonight. Kind of a last hurrah. I guess you haven’t checked your schedule or your texts today.”

Everyone’s family but mine.

“Left my phone in the room.”

“Of course you did. You’re gonna need to stay focused if you want to stay at the top.”

“Okay, okay. I got it. Won’t happen again.”

I felt Cam’s hand grab mine, then he leaned in and whispered, “You can hang out with me and my mom. Cecilia should be there too.”

“I know.” I swallowed. It was hard not to feel awkward about it. It was something I should be used to. Every time something like this came up, I couldn’t help my stupid feelings from happening. I wish my mom had stayed a bit longer.

“Cocktails, gentlemen?”

Colton pulled me out of my thoughts.

“Already? It’s not even noon,” Cam said.

“If I’m spendin’ time with my parents and the entire coaching staff, I reckon I’m gonna need a cattle-sized buzz.”

An hour later, I was thankful Colton had prepared us for lunch.

Whoever was in charge - Woodward or USA Gymnastics - had rented us an entire function room for our group overlooking the square in front of the Covent Garden Market building. The view was gorgeous and helped take my mind off the fact that I was the only one with no actual family members present.

None of the guys' younger siblings could drink, and neither could O, but I was keeping my buzz strong with an amaretto sour. Cam was nursing a Long Beach iced tea. Despite its strength, he had told me he’d be the responsible one today, and let me get hammered.

“Not too hammered,” he had said. I was trying.

“Is it just me or is Colton’s family only really talking to Alex’s? Well, his dad and brother really,” I asked Cam.

Cam glanced over at Colton. “They’re probably still dealing with my revelation, especially now that we’re public.”

“You really think so?”

“Well, look how awkward Colton looks.”

I gave him a once over, but caught Beau’s eyes on the return trip. They looked torn.

“See, he’s definitely fidgeting.”