Page 32 of The Forever Vault

“Your parents did not say that!”

Erika shrugged. “Okay, maybe that was my hormones talking. I don’t know. I just want him out of me already. I feel like I’m carrying free weights around in there. Except, you know, it’s alive and kicking.”

“Everything good with Isaak?”

“Oh, he’s been amazing. No complaints. Foot rubs whenever I want, ice cream whenever I want. He worked with the designer to get the nursery the way I wanted it.”

“I do like the jungle theme. Luke does too, of course.”

“Enough about me and the parasite. How are you doing?”

I thought about it for a second, but didn’t want to burden her with my feelings, so for the first time in our relationship, I lied. “Oh, I’m alright.”

“Don’t bullshit me, Cam. I’m thirty-eight weeks pregnant. It’s fucking illegal to lie to me.”

I chuckled. I never could get anything past her. “How do you think it is? Awkward? Disappointing? Weird? Half of me is miserable because I didn’t qualify this time and the other half of me is trying to be the best, most supportive boyfriend I can be, while working out a proposal at the same time.”

“There’s my Cam. Ninety percent feelings and ten percent words." She leaned back with a satisfied smirk. "My baby's gonna have the best guncles."

"That's all you have to say?"

"I'm not gonna bullshit you. Life after being an Olympian isn't easy." She seemed to realize our surroundings. "Well, psychologically. Try to find something in the near future to get excited about and focus on that. How's your house? Isn't that done? That's something."

"Yeah, it's pretty much done. Just have to do one more bathroom and that's it. We're, uh, installing a dual shower.”

“You boys and your locker room fetish. There’s that to look forward to, and if that doesn’t work, plan a vacation. Take your mom somewhere. Aren’t things with the Thunder going well?”

She was talking about my part-time job as an assistant physiotherapist. “They are. My boss wants me to stay on. I’m not sure if I want to pivot and go to strength and conditioning with the athletes, or leave the team and go into physical or massage therapy. It’s kind of up in the air.”

“I understand. Lots of big unintimidating life choices are coming up. At least you haven’t gained twenty pounds!”

“You’ve got a good reason, Erika. Are you going to-”

My phone rang. Luke’s ringtone. She let me answer.

“Hey, how’s training today?”

“Not great, Cam.” My heart dropped. I heard it in his voice. Something was wrong. “I’m waiting for the team doctor. He’s a few minutes out. I pulled something in my chest while I was on the rings. Made me fall off. I’m sure it’s nothing, but it would be nice to have you here. Do you mind coming?”

“Yeah, I can take an Uber and be there-”

“I can drive you, Cam.”

I covered the phone. “You don’t have to do that, Erika.”

“Oh, fuck. That’s right. You’re with Erika. Nevermind, Cam. It’s fine. I’ll be fine.”

“No! I’ll come.”

“Tell him it’s not a big deal, Cam.”

“She says it’s not a big deal.”

“I heard.”

“It’ll be good to see him, and he can see my big belly and say hi to the baby.”

“If she’s fine with it, I’m fine with it. It will be good to see her. See you in a little bit. Love you.”