'We'

Chapter Nine

"What do you mean you need a lift?"

"Please?"

"Call dad."

"He's at work. Please?"

"Jacob. I'm out."

Erik sat with his arm pressed against the table, fist clenched. His eyebrows were furrowed in an expression of anger as he held the phone to his ear, and the man sat opposite him could not hold back his laugh at the expression. Erik gave him an annoyed glare.

"Is it a date?" Jacob enquired, amusement in his voice.

"No!"

"Yep!"

Erik kicked Felix's leg under the table.

"Who's with you? Is it a guy? Are you gay?"

"Do you want a lift or not?"

"Thanks! See you soon!"

With a click, the person on the other end of the phone hung up. Erik let out an angry sigh, and once more Felix laughed.

"Who was that?"

The coffee shop around them was bustling. Felix was still in his uniform, which Erik to this day found strangely attractive, having just finished his shift. The tea in front of the men was still steaming with heat, and they had only just sat down when Erik had received the call, picking it up with annoyance.

"My little brother. Sorry."

"It's alright. Do you need to go to him?"

"I guess. He's such a jerk sometimes."

Felix gave a genuine laugh at the look of hatred on Erik's face, and the other man smiled in return, realising how stupid the situation was.

Erik stood, grasping the cup in his hand to leave. To his surprise, his companion also rose to his feet. His eyes widened for a second before he realised what was going on.

"You don't have to come."

"I want to," Felix insisted. "He interrupted our… meeting… after all. Might as well let him know how annoyed we are."

Erik stood stationary for a moment. He still couldn't quite believe the man standing opposite him was in love with him. He must be mistaken, or maybe Felix was teasing him. A hole opened in the pit of his stomach, and Erik's mood sunk. The brown-haired man noticed, his eyebrows furrowing into an expression of concern.

"What?"

"Nothing. Come on then, if you want to come." Erik felt guilt sink into him at the harsh tone, but it didn't seem to upset Felix. The man smiled as usual.

The pair made their way outside, and Erik turned to the left, walking back towards the office where he worked. He realised as they were walking that Felix had not seen him drive before. He turned to the man, who was walking a few paces behind him, his earlier annoyance completely forgotten.

"Do you drive?"

"Me? No," Felix replied, looking at them as they walked. Erik had not expected this answer.

"You can't drive?" Felix turned back to him, amusement sparkling in his gaze.

"No."

"You never learned?"

"I tried to learn when I turned seventeen."

"So…?"

"My leg doesn't let me. I can't always press the pedals."