Page 142 of The Forever Vault

Luke: We’ll see you at the transportation circle.

“Luke’s getting an Uber,” I said to Orion.

“Good.”

I tossed my bag down and opened my locker. “I think if we’re quick, we can meet up with them in ten minutes.”

“Are we running?”

“Maybe?”

“Shit. Really?”

“We don’t have to,” I said, a little confused. “I’m sure he’s not sticking his head out or anything yet, or we would’ve heard something.”

“Sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything.”

I kicked off my shoes, pulled my official team jacket and pants off, then asked, “Why does running matter?”

“Don’t make it a big deal, and don’t tell Luke.” He ran his hand over his short hair. “God, this is embarrassing.”

I stopped to give him my full attention. “I’m standing here in just a leotard, Orion. It can’t be that bad, and I’m your teammate. There’s nothing you can say that’s going to change our friendship.”

“I was hoping to wear something comfy to the hospital. If we run, I’ve got to wear something more constrictive.”

He must’ve seen my expression.

“I don’t think it’s wise to have my dick waving around in public. There are cameras everywhere, and it tends to be really obvious if I don’t smoosh it behind spandex or super tight underwear.”

“You’re talking about VPL, visible penis line,” I said, peeling my leotard off and shoving everything into my locker. We had staff that would clean and replace everything by the next day. One of the perks of being on home soil.

“So you’ve noticed.”

“Not you specifically, but it’s hard not to watch Austin’s matches or Declan’s races and not see every guy’s package highlighted in tight, colorful fabric.”

Orion nodded. “I get it. I like seeing my boy in his singlet. But after I compete, it’s nice to let it hang. I don’t want it all smashed together all day. Loose cotton boxers are what I feel good wearing. Austin says it’s still noticeable, but I think that’s ‘cause he’s staring at it all the time no matter what.”

I pulled up my skinny jeans and bent over to tie my Metcons. “You better start undressing if you don’t want to run.”

Orion kicked it in gear and stripped. “Don’t perve on me now. I just know you’re gonna look down there.”

As much as I wanted to stare to make him laugh, I respected his privacy and texted Luke instead.

Cam: Might be a few more minutes. Got held up.

Luke: Looks like traffic for the driver. They’re still not here yet, no worries.

It was nice for Orion to open up, even if it was about sub-fabric penile obviousness. I may have noticed his dick was bigger than mine, but I had never thought about the logistics of dealing with an above average amount of flaccid flesh bouncing around down there. I was completely familiar with awkward boners since mine was significant, but Orion and I could talk about awkward hard dicks another day.

“Sorry I made us talk about my dick,” Orion said, stepping over to me.

“Oh, is that what we were talking about? I hadn’t noticed,” I teased. “You ready?”

“Yeah, let’s go.”

I double-checked with Noah which was the fastest way out of the arena before leaving him with Woodward to stand in for me at the press event. Orion was close behind me.

“Is it weird that I feel better after that discussion?”