To Never Fall In Love 🤍 Boat/Lee

Chapter 2 ~ a bitter pill ~

It was 4.30am in the morning three weeks later when Champ collected Ian from the airport. He watched as he saw Ian trudging towards him dragging his case, the guy looked exhausted.

"hey mate, you're a sight for sore eyes, how are you?" Champ said pulling him in for a bro hug before taking the case from him.

"hey Champ, I'm good or I will be after I've had a good kip" Ian replied.

"yeah, I'll get you home and we'll catch up later" Champ said as the pair walked out of the airport arrivals and headed towards Champ's car.

He stashed the case in the boot of the car while Ian got in then he climbed in himself and fired the engine up.

"there's a flask of coffee there if you fancy a hot drink" Champ said.

"thanks Champ, you're the best" Ian said picking up the flask.

He unscrewed the cup and gingerly poured a little into it while Champ slowed down a bit. 

"mmm that's nice, thanks Champ" Ian said.

"no worries mate, I already had a drink before coming here so it's all yours"

"how is everyone?" Ian asked referring to Kan's parents and the guys on the team.

"they're ok, you know how it is, nothing ever changes" Champ replied.

"great, I can't wait to catch up" Ian said while sipping the coffee.

The pair fell silent for a while as Champ expertly navigated the city traffic then he looked over at Ian to see he had finished his coffee and had fallen asleep, his head lolled to one side.

Champ took the empty plastic cup and put it in the tray in the middle of the seats then just continued to drive until about an hour later he was pulling up in front of Ian's mum's house. He turned the ignition off and removed his seat belt before turning to Ian.

"we're here mate, wake up" Champ said shaking him gently by his shoulder.

"Phikhuam ..."

"wake up Ian" Champ said as he continued to shake his sleepy friend.

"oh, mmm hey Champ" Ian said slowly opening his eyes and realising where he was.

"we're here, you can wash up and go to bed properly now" Champ said.

"thanks Champ, I'm sorry I fell asleep, I ..." Ian began.

"don't worry about it, just go and get some sleep and we'll catch up tonight, 7pm at the local" Champ said.

"I'll be there and I'll buy you dinner too as a thank you for picking me up, I could have got a taxi you know" Ian said.

"nagh, we went there together in my car, it was no biggy picking you up" Champ said shrugging.

"well I'm grateful and I'll give you something for the petrol too" Ian said.

"don't worry about it Ian, let me get your case for you" Champ said getting out of the car and walking to the back.

Ian climbed out and walked to the rear of the car, it seemed so strange being back home after five weeks of being on a tropical island in the middle of the gulf of Thailand. Champ lifted his case out of the boot and Ian reached out to take the handle.

"right, so tonight, 7 o' clock at the local yeah" Ian said and Champ nodded.

"yeah and we'll catch up, right I have to go to work Ian so I'll see you tonight" Champ said shutting the boot and walking round to the drivers side.