A slow fall

Chapter 36 - Lucas

    Adam was coming to visit for Halloween, which led to me standing in front of Bates asking him to house one of the Wilkins brothers on Friday night.

Practice had just finished and we were getting ready to head back to the house, so obviously now was the best time to ambush—when they least expect it.

"But Shannon is going to be here. Shannon dude. You know how I feel about Shannon." He had this wishful look in his eyes as he thought about her. Was this how stupid I looked when people brought up Caleb?

"He wants a piece of that." Tyler said from the other side of the changing room.

"We don't objectify Tyler. But also," he nodded his head, " yes, I would like to get it on with her."

Deciding to cut my losses I turned to my other side and looked on with my best puppy dog eyes,

"Erik?"

He thought for a moment, scrunching his nose up in contemplation while he began undressing. "I'll take Caleb. You know me and Adam clash. He doesn't seem to think I'm funny and humour is all I have."

"Yeah, but you'll spend most of your time together asleep. When he wakes up you have my full permission to kick him out." He looked at me for a minute before rolling his eyes. "I have been telling you to man up and do something about this pining haven't I?"

"You have."

"So now I'll feel bad if I cockblock."

"You will." Even though I had no intention of things going that far.

"Fine. He can stay in my room, but tell him I'm a kicker."

"No you're not," Johnson replied, one of our friends on the team who often ends up sharing a bed with Erik on away games.

"I am when I'm awake."

"Ah, the humour."

"People laughed!" They did. "So, suck on that Adam. I am funny."

"You do realise he's not here." Erik just stuck his tongue out before walking off to the showers.

It was only Tuesday and I was already tired. I'd managed to get ahead on my coursework, but the problem was staying ahead and not becoming complacent. Knowing I'd likely do little over the weekend meant spending more time in the studio.

Sometimes I really wondered why I decided to do this to myself. Juggling life as an adult was hard—though I don't think nineteen should classify me as one really.

I tried to be quick in the shower, but it didn't make a difference when I had to wait for Ollie to be ready. That boy took forever, and eventually the three of us resorted to dragging him out of the changing room when he sat himself down to scroll on his phone.

"My costume is ready fellas." Ollie announced as we walked back. "I'm going to be a sexy doctor." I grimaced at the thought. "Hey, what's that reaction for?" Because Bates had done the same thing and me, and Erik was just laughing.

"Nothing," I shrugged, "It's just really on theme for you."

"Should I be offended? Are you calling me a slut?" He turned towards Erik, "Is he calling me a slut?"

"I think he is."

Ollie gasped, his hand flying to his heart dramatically, "and to think, I kind of liked you."

"Kind of?"

"Eh, if one of us had to go you'd be first on my list." So, naturally, I charged at him. He let out a squeak of surprise before running away. I gave chase, the other two following behind, our footsteps smacking against the floor as laughter rang in the air.