Page 106 of Full Tilt
The upside? One more game.
The final friendly is today—in Atlanta. It’s not televised, but I’ve got the stream booted up on my laptop, and my Wi-Fi has never been under more pressure. My folks are there, so are the twins, and Cosmo managed to make it after wrapping up some training stuff early. They all met up with Cam beforehand.
Apparently, Pen was there too.
That particular bit of information had been dropped casually—too casually—by Camden when he called me twenty minutes ago from the locker room.
“You’re watching?”
“Obviously.”
“I’ll give you a sign.”
“What kind of sign?”
“A good one. You’ll know.”
Then, like it was an afterthought: “Oh, and Pen rocked up. Said he was in town and figured he’d stop by to take in the game.”
I’d groaned. Loudly.
“He’s just watching. Don’t worry.”
“I’m not worried.”
Cam had laughed. “You’re so worried.”
“I’m not. Just… he’s a flirt.”
“He’s also not the guy I left pressed up against a hotel headboard ten days ago,” Cam said. “That was you. You win.”
Jesus.
The locker room noise had picked up, muffling whatever smartass thing I might’ve said next. Cam told me he had to go but promised to text after.
Now, I sit cross-legged on the couch, my coffee cold on the table, and my laptop perched on a stack of coasters as the match timer counts down. And then I see him. Camden runs out with the team, loose and powerful, his kit clinging to sweat-dampened muscles like sin.
He doesn’t look for the camera, but as they pan down the line-up, his fingers flash a quick sign—two taps over his heart, then a subtle salute.
Fucking hell. That’s for me.
I grin like a total idiot and reach for my mug.
The game kicks off, and it’s everything I hoped for. Exeter’s playing sharp, aggressive, fast. Camden’s dominant in the scrum, a fucking wall of force, and despite the friendly nature of the match, he’s not holding back.
My phone buzzes with a message from Cosmo.
Cosmo: Your boyfriend is terrifying. He just flattened a guy like a lawnmower.
Me: I taught him that.
Cosmo: Liar.
Me: Okay, fine. But I’ll take credit anyway.
I glance back at the screen, and for a moment, I just breathe. Camden’s out there. My boyfriend. My chaotic, sweet, brooding, secretly romantic boyfriend.
Yeah, the last ten days have been lonely. But watching him like this—seeing him shine, doing what he loves—it’s worth it.
