Page 10 of Dickathlon

“Now who’s bashful?”

Luke rolled away from me and asked, “Mind if I use your phone?”

“Sure?” I grabbed it from the nightstand and handed it over.

“Thanks. Code’s six-nine-six-nine.”

Luke laughed. “Really?”

“What? It’s not one I’ll ever forget.” I watched him type it in and open Instagram. “Cam’s profile?”

Luke nodded.

“You’re just torturing yourself, bro.”

“You think I don’t know that?”

I wasn’t on Instagram a lot - unless I was stalking Declan, which I totally didn’t do anymore - but I knew what he was about to find.

“Fuck. He’s apparently met Colton Walker.”

Yup.

“And they’re shirtless on the beach.”

Yup.

Luke handed my phone over to me. “I shouldn’t have looked.”

I knew what he was thinking. “I doubt they’re togeth-”

“I don’t think that.” Luke paused. “Okay, I totally thought that, but thanks. I hope not.”

I hadn’t heard much from Cam. He asked if I heard from Luke, but I didn’t want to get in the middle of it. Luke was going to have to figure his end of things out. Otherwise, it was likely to happen all over again.

“You wanna hit the gym today? Or go to a zoo? There’s like three within an hour from here.” I flipped back the blanket and vaulted out of bed. I pulled my briefs off and tossed them into the hamper, grabbing a fresh pair from my dresser. “And don’t think I forgot about the celibacy thing.” I pulled them on and slipped on a tank.

“There’s not much to it. I feel guilty as shit. And the physical reaction might be there, but I don’t feel it mentally…if that makes sense.”

I considered that for a second. “I can see that.”

Luke slid out of bed and squatted by his duffel bag. I diverted my eyes. It was Luke, but I was only human.

“So, am I wearing jorts for the zoo or track shorts for the gym?” Luke asked.

“We’re not gonna make the Olympic team again at the zoo, are we?”

“Nope. But this is my vacation, so either works for me.”

“Let’s go to the closest zoo and then we’ll hit the gym after.”

* * *

Luke and I spent the next few days going to all three zoos and pushing each other to the limit at Sierra Hills. Quinn joined us a few times, helping us film a few videos to send to Woodward for tips. I didn’t want to bother him around the holidays, but he had texted me a few days ago, knowing I’d be at the gym a lot with school out. Once he knew Luke was with me, his interest in helping grew.

It was good to spend time with Luke. For me and him. He hadn’t asked for my phone again, and I took that as progress. He also re-confirmed that Owen was going to be at the Hale family Christmas, so I knew he was thinking about my suggestion.

Having him with me, watching all my routines, was amazing. Quinn knew gymnastics, but obviously the women’s and men’s events were different. She could only help me so much. It hadn’t even been six months since Brisbane, but being there with him gave me major nostalgia vibes even though we were in an empty gymnasium.