Page 128 of The Forever Vault

I held my breath as I approached Ezra, who was still coughing and spitting. “Let’s go to the locker room.”

“But Zane-”

“Woodward’s with Zane. You’re with me.” Without waiting for him to move, I led him to the locker room we had been using.

“Zane’s never treated me like this before.”

“What did you expect? This is the Olympics.”

“Fuck!” Ezra slammed his hand against one of the lockers, the sound echoing through the empty room. “I’ve got three–well, two and a half–days until I compete again. He’s acting like I ruined everything.”

“He’s acting like he cares. How late were you out?”

“I don’t really remember–shit!” Ezra ran for the toilet and I tried not to hear the noises. “The bartender took me home.”

“The bartender?” I asked, leaning on the stall door.

“Yeah, uh, Kellan, was it? Or…no, it was Kelly. The one that Colton and Zeph fucked.”

“Oh.”

Ezra came out, wiping his mouth again, and I tried not to gag.

“Let’s get you some Gatorade or whatever Woodward suggested.”

Ezra kept talking. “He knew I was with you guys and after you left, he kept an eye on me, I guess. Made sure I got back to the village in one piece.”

“And he didn’t take advantage of you?”

“I didn’t give him anything I didn’t already want to.”

“Ah, to be young, dumb and full of cum again.” I found the anti-nausea meds.

“You’re only five years older than me.”

“And that much wiser. Get a handle on this. Here.” I handed him two pills and grabbed a Gatorade out of the mini fridge. “I know you wanted to celebrate, but Colton and Zeph are professionals.”

“But-”

“And before you protest, the sex is fine. I mean, I wouldn’t go out and get loaded up by twenty anonymous randos the night before a competition.”

“That sounds really fucking hot, Luke.”

“Forget it, you’d leak all over the podium. Why did I even say that? Moving on–it’s the drinking that’s killing you right now.”

“I didn’t even have that much.”

“Good. That means you’ll burn it off faster. Next time, bring a designated wingman. He can get you ass or dick, and watch what you drink.”

“I, uh, don’t have anyone like that.”

“What about Miles?”

“He keeps to himself.” Ezra shrugged. “Even Orion barely sees him, though I suppose he’s with Austin most of the time.”

“You think you’ll puke again? Because I can work you over in here if you want. Zane’s probably going to keep pushing.”

“I know. He’s teaching me a lesson.”