“Actually,” Bash said, “she just called a second time.”
“Maybe you should take it. I’ll talk to you later!”
“Don’t forget about me,” Bash joked.
“I never could.”
Bash wanted to stay on the phone with Adonis, talking of everything and nothing, but whatever Lotte was calling about seemed urgent.
He answered with a, “Lotte, wat is er aan de hand?” Lotte, what’s going on?
On the other side of the Atlantic, Lotte’s voice was shaky. “Bash, where are you?”
“At Bellford. I was just watching the Olympic opening ceremony. What’s going on?”
Lotte took a shaky breath. “Bash, it’s Dad. It’s bad. You need to come home. He had another heart attack, a really bad one, and the doctors don’t think he’s going to make it.”
Chapter 22
Adonis
Milano was beautiful, Italy incredible. Adonis enjoyed it as much as he could, touring the city with his new Olympian friends, but it was often hard for him to enjoy it. He missed Bash and worried about him.
The last time they had spoken, right after the opening ceremony, Bash had to leave the call in a rush because of his sister. Adonis had had a sour pit in his stomach after that, a feeling that something waswrong. This was confirmed an hour later by a text from Bash, telling him in a few words that Bash’s father had had a heart attack, a nearly fatal one, and Bash was flying back to Amsterdam on the next flight he could get. It sounded like his father wasn’t going to make it.
Adonis had sent him a few texts over the last couple of days, checking in and offering what comfort he could, but Bash hadn’t responded.
It hurt a bit, Adonis had to admit, but he didn’t want to blame Bash or be mad at him. He had to assume Bash was hurting. Assume the best, he always told himself. Assuming someone’s intent when you didn’t know for sure was rarely a recipe for good communication.
Bash aside, the energy and adrenaline were high in Milano. Adonis participated in four events. The Team Events Men’s Singles Short Program and Free Skate, and the regular Men’s Singles Short Program and Free Skate. He would perform the same routines for each. The Team Events determined Team USA’s overall medal placement, while the Men’s Singles was just for individual medalists.
Team USA had done very well in the team event. Japan took home gold, the USA silver, and Russia bronze. Team USA was determined to win more gold medals in the individual events.
Adonis’s temporary Olympic best friend was Drew Stockley, a nineteen-year-old openly gay skier from Telluride. Beyond being a talented skier, he had made waves for being outspoken about his sexuality on social media and criticizing the Mormon Church’s approach to homosexuality.
The morning of the Men’s Singles Short Program, a Tuesday, Drew met Adonis in his little room in the Olympic Village and handed him a cappuccino. He joined Adonis, sitting on his bed.
“How do you feel?”
“I’m nervous,” Adonis admitted.
“I’ve seen videos of your short program. You’re great.”
“Thank you.”
“Is that why you’re nervous?”
“I’m nervous I’ll do well in this and then fail in the Free Skate.”
Drew frowned. “You’re nervous you’lldo well.”
“I guess so.”
Drew laughed. “Dude, I’m nervous I’ll fuck up. IwishI were nervous about doing well. So, you’re not nervous about your short program specifically?”
“Yeah, not that,” Adonis agreed. “It’s the free skate.”
“What’s the difference, again?”
