A slow fall

Chapter 26 - Lucas

    "So, are you asking Caleb to come round later or do I need to do it for you?" Bates asked as we clambered into the car the next morning.

We'd woken up early—or Bates had and his boundless energy forced me awake as well—and the gym felt like a safe haven in the early morning hours.

Apparently Bates was serious yesterday. He'd already drafted a message by the time I'd dragged myself out of bed.

I tried to blink the sleep away, listening idle as he prattled on about who knows what, before my epiphany moment: the gym would at least distract him, I had yet to find a way to shut him off.

The air was crisp as we stepped outside, the chill of winter clinging in the air. We'd rained the kitchen, collecting consolation prizes for our visit, before quietly creeping out. Mom would have something to say, a choice of words or two, but that was a later problem.

Now my focus was on the road—on the feel of the cold wheel beneath my grip and the hum of the engine beneath my feet.

Bates carried on talking.

"Erik's awake, so he's gonna come meet us."

"Don't avoid the question."

"I can and I will."

"Lucas."

"DeAndre." I glanced at him for a second, hoping my glaring expression aptly got my feelings across. "I swear you and my mom exist to annoy me."

"So dramatic."

"Says you."

"Exactly, so I know."

"I'm gonna just drown you out now," and I turned the music up. It was too early for me to match his energy right now so I focused on what was important—not crashing.

Thankfully Bates chose not to mess with the volume and let me stew in silence for the rest of the twenty five minute drive to the gym.

Erik's car sat idling in the car park as he waited for our arrival.

Before I' had even turned off the car Erik had moved, eagerly jumping out of the car and gesturing wildly as if doors didn't separate us.

As soon as we climbed out he was on us. "You guys took so much longer than you said."

"We're," I glanced at the time on my phone as I stepped out of the car, "five minutes early."

"Yeah well I've been here for ten, so beat that."

Me and Bates spoke at the same time, a "What?" and "That doesn't even make sense."

Erik didn't acknowledge our confusion. "Well, no time like the present. Chop chop boys." And he was away, running into the gym like a fire was on his heels.

"And you say I'm dramatic." Bates exchanged a glance with me, the two of us shrugging, chuckling in amusement, before running after him.

The man sitting behind the front desk barely glanced at us as we barreled past, all jostling and laughter that didn't belong in the quiet of the Saturday morning.

Erik wasn't far ahead as we rounded the corner to the changing rooms, casually stopping at a random bench.

"I have gifts." He handed out gym wear from the large duffle he'd brought and chivied us along as we changed out of last night's clothes.

The gym was quiet as we piled out of the changing rooms. Only a few early risers occupied the space, the clanking of weights and thump of feet against a treadmill easily drowned out by our chatter.