Page 117 of The Forever Vault

“What a stud!” Colton had his turn, as did Ezra, Orion, Austin, and Erika.

It seemed that two Americans earning first and second on the all-around podium attracted quite a crowd.

“Before everyone goes their separate ways,” Woodward used Ty’s shoulder to help him up onto a nearby bench. “I’d like to invite you all to a little celebration my wife and I planned for the team, made even sweeter by today’s victories. It’s just a short walk down the waterfront, to a place called Mission Rock Resort.”

“Who’s invited?” I heard O ask.

“The team, coaches, boyfriends, best friends, parents, any and all of their significant others, former teammates, famous decathletes. If I know who they are, they can come.”

“Right now?” Ezra asked.

“Right now.”

I tried counting on the walk to the resort. There had to be at least thirty of us. Ezra’s parents and siblings were here. I saw O’s mom and his sister, Nia. Cassandra, Woodward, Hudson, Noah and Shane. Erika, her parents, and Isaak. O, Austin and Remy, Declan and Ty, Colton and Zeph, Zane and, I assumed, Torben. The team, and Heather.

She held hands with me and Cam while we walked along the water. It was pretty clear when we came to our destination - a mermaid sign adorned the second story of the modern-looking wooden building - but it was the woman who greeted us, coming down the stairs as we approached.

“Carol?”

“Yes, dear?”

“You’re here,” Woodward said.

“I think that’s obvious.”

“But when? Why?”

“As soon as they won the gold and you asked me to plan something special, I flew over yesterday morning and helped get everything ready up here,” she answered, motioning over her shoulder.

“But where have you been staying?”

“With our nephew.”

A chorus of whistles and cheers erupted when he hugged and then kissed his wife, and the group followed them up the stairs to our surprise celebration.

22

Camden

“Are any of you guys going to the Folsom Street Fair tomorrow?” Ezra asked, while his parents were occupied at the bar. His siblings had cornered Zeph and were asking about the NFL.

“Isn’t that usually in September?”

“How do you know that, Declan?” I asked, nudging him with my elbow.

“They moved it up because of the Olympics,” Ezra answered. “Thought it would be interesting to see.”

“We’ve been a few times,” Declan said. “You could probably convince us to go.”

“Like a bachelor party?” Ty asked, sounding hopeful.

“I thought you weren’t having one of those,” Luke said.

“We aren’t,” Ty and Declan said in unison, before laughing. “But,” Declan continued, “I’m game for Folsom if you are.”

“Clothed or unclothed?” Ty asked.

Declan leaned in to whisper in his ear and Ty appeared to like what was said.