16 Scottie
16
Brazil – Declan McKenna
I wasn’t sure if the trip to Lindos was supposed to be a punishment for what went down during the yoga class, but it sure hadn’t felt like it. We’d been locked up forever, working so hard with no break in the routine, that any change felt like a much-needed escape.
As we all clambered out of the rented minivan, the streets of the tiny village of Lindos too small for the car to venture any further, I took a deep breath in, savouring the salt air from the ocean and the sweet scent of corner creperies for tourists.
‘This way,’ Jon shouted, pulling our attention from the whitewashed streets and instead, leading us toward the Acropolis that sat atop a steep mountain. I was tracking the long and twisting path up the hill when I was jostled to the side, Dylan storming past me through the tiny streets.
Of course, Jon had invited everyone in the villa along, otherwise the escape out of the villa might have been too close to enjoyable for what was supposed to be a punishment.
‘Didn’t see you there,’ she muttered with a scowl. Henrik and Inés followed behind her, Inés giving me a softer expression that I chose to read as ‘sorry for my asshole friend’.
‘Scottie, can I get you a little closer to Nico, please?’ Sarah asked, no further sign of her attitude from the beach. I looked over at him, smiling slightly as I took in his relaxed demeanour, his hands stuffed into a pair of navy shorts, the ELITE brand stitched on the top left of his pocket. We were both head-to-toe clad in ELITE clothing, my entire wardrobe now overflowing with the brand. I was pretty sure Jon had the rest of my clothes shipped back to my mum’s, in case I got any ideas.
I stepped closer, walking alongside him as Sarah took some candid photos. Even I had to admit, he looked good, wearing a white linen shirt unbuttoned, with plain white T-shirt underneath, the colour matching with my own outfit. I had gone a little sportier, matching the top with a short, white pleated skirt, shoving a blue shirt on top in case it got chilly. It didn’t help that most of my wardrobe was tennis outfits, but they were cute, so I didn’t complain much. Just over his shoulder, nestled onto a small set of stone stairs, sat three stray cats, all fixated on Nico.
‘What do you think the chances of us being allowed a crepe are?’ I joked, trying to give Sarah something to work with rather than two silent people walking. After all, we were supposed to look like we were together. Or at the very least like we liked each other.
‘I can’t remember the last time I had one,’ he admitted, glancing at me for a moment. ‘Maybe never.’
My jaw unhinged in mock shock. ‘Never?’
His shoulders rose on a shrug. ‘I don’t think that much fat and sugar is recommended by a sports dietitian.’
I tsked, trying to shake his words off. Truthfully, I’d been finding the restrictive training diet … well, restrictive. There was plenty to eat, but dried fruit and handfuls of nuts only satisfied me so long. I’d been craving a burger with melted cheese and an entire order of salty crispy chips for at least a week. It was the hardest part of returning to training.
‘I had one every day for a month when I stayed in France. I tried every topping they offered in my local creperie,’ I admitted. The cafe was on the corner near my hotel, and it had turned out to be the best food for confronting a well-earned hangover.
‘What was your favourite?’ His eyes betrayed a hunger I recognized too well, certain it wouldn’t be satisfied with another protein shake.
‘I was a big fan of peaches and crème fra?che, then I’d get them to add a drizzle of honey.’ My mouth watered at the memory, the sweetness of August ripe peaches with the tartness of the creme, all wrapped in the delicate pancake.
‘Can you guys get a little closer?’ Sarah pressed, reminding me of her existence. Nico cleared his throat on a cough as he eased, our arms brushing as we walked. How much more could she ask for? My tongue down his throat?
My gaze caught behind us, and I found the three cats from before, all trailing behind us. When we stopped to let a car pass, one tortoiseshell came right up to Nico and began to rub against his trainers, weaving in and around his legs.
Nico lifted his leg, a scowl forming on his face as he tried to escape the assault of the feline.
I laughed. ‘What is it about you and cats?’
‘I’m allergic,’ he mumbled while bending down, and waving his hand to shoo the cat. Instead, the cat lifted its delicate pink nose in the air, booping his palm and taking a good sniff. Nico pulled away, shaking his hand as if he had been burnt.
‘If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re afraid.’
He didn’t take his eyes from the cats for a moment, narrowing them as if he was contemplating a hiss to seal the deal. ‘Only afraid of my throat closing up.’
We had made it to the beginning of the steps up to the Acropolis, and while standing at the base of the hike, I allowed myself a moment to take in the true size of the mountain.
My mouth was dry as I leaned over to Nico, my eyes stuck on the tiny figures at the top I was sure were other people. ‘Are you sure you can manage this today?’
‘Yes,’ he snipped, his tone turning defensive. I looked at him, finding his brows pressed together, his face set in a serious look. I glanced behind him at Sarah, who was distracted by her camera.
‘I’m sorry. My own legs are ruined from today’s practice.’ My apology did little to soothe his frustrated look. ‘Maybe if we give Sarah some good shots on the way up, really play it up, they won’t mind if we slip away early.’
‘Why would we need to do that?’ he asked innocently. I didn’t bother to argue with him any further, not pointing out that he managed to walk comfortably at the end of a day of practice. Over the weeks, I had seen improvement in his performance. Jon had been right, he was slower than he had been, but he was older, so it was a given for most. Even if he wasn’t ready to admit that.
‘Just in case.’
Sarah continued taking our photos as we scaled the mountain steps, the climb taking its toll on my already battered and bruised body. Quietly, I damned Jon for making us do those extra exercises today. I knew this trip was too good to be true.
I pulled myself up a tall step, thighs and calves burning as I climbed another, the rugged stone almost carved into the hill. Fighting weariness, I took a moment to rest, stopping to admire the view, the sea, a deep Mediterranean Aegean turquoise, contrasting the tangerine sky as the sun journeyed toward the horizon.
Nico appeared by my side, pulling my attention from the scene, his tanned skin aglow with the golden light. I swung my hip into his side to pull his attention. ‘You taking a break, old man?’
He tilted his head to me, an eyebrow raised playfully. ‘Dare I remind you that you stopped first?’
I feigned innocence with a shrug. ‘I thought you’d give up by now.’
With what I’m sure was a smirk on his lips, he pushed past me to the next step. ‘Come on, before we lose the rest of the group.’
I turned to follow him, the path becoming increasingly rough as we went higher. Nico had to help me up the steps, offering me a hand to keep me moving up. I didn’t admit it to him, but I was grateful for it, unsure how he was able to manage it with his knee. I was beginning to wish I had worn appropriate footwear instead of a pair of Elite sandals when Jon yelled from ahead.
‘Almost halfway, guys! Come on, keep up the pace.’
I’d pulled back in shock, the realisation that we weren’t even halfway up hitting hard. My will and motivation were already waning. If it hadn’t been a training day, a full morning on the tennis court followed by strength training in the gym, then it would’ve been easy. But my legs had already been tortured enough, and with Jon’s words, I’d found my limit.
Nico was a step ahead of me, turning back to help me up again when my face betrayed me, showing him my reluctance to take a single step further. He narrowed his eyes at me for a moment, then his expression changed, his head tilting as if he was having an internal debate.
He yelled out,. ‘Jon, I have to go back.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Sorry, it’s my knee. I wasn’t expecting a hike.’
Jon grumbled to himself before looking over at Sarah. ‘Have you got enough for today?’
She nodded. ‘But I’d still like to make it to the top. I can focus on the others.’
‘I could go back with him,’ I offered, my heart skipping. ‘Make sure he gets back to the van. Find some ice to take down the swelling.’
Jon appeared uneasy, looking between the both of us suspiciously. The moment was long and tense as the gears turned in Jon’s brain. I was sure he was about to tell us to put on our big person pants and suck it up.
‘Fine,’ he relented. He dug through his shorts, throwing the minivan keys to me. I caught them, trying not to look too relieved we’d been excused. ‘It will be another two hours, so I don’t want to hear any complaints that you had to wait for us.’
I didn’t need to be told twice as I turned around and stormed down the hill. Nico, still feigning injury, hot on my heels.
Jon yelled as he became but a tiny figure in the distance. ‘Go straight back to the minivan!’