Chapter 9 #2
“I know, Dad. That would be nice.” And something I’d have to talk to Mom about. I glanced out the window on the side of my room. No clouds again today. Nothing but sunshine.
“When will you tell your mother about Ryker?” he asked.
Shit, I couldn’t tell Dad about him and not Mom. “I’ll call her tonight.”
“You better. You know I’m terrible at keeping secrets.” He laughed.
“Yeah, I know.” I smiled at my phone. “Love you, Dad, and talk to you soon.”
“Love you too. I’ll be in touch.” He ended the call.
“Push it, Wes, you’ve got this.” A few days after my phone call with my dad, I stood over Wes inside his gym in Mesa, spotting him while he finished the chest press reps I had him doing. Sure, these were basic, but no one had pushed him the way I did.
His arms shook, and he grunted as he lifted the bar.
“You can do it.” I held my hands just below the bar in case his muscles gave out. I’d stacked almost as much weight on as I used with myself.
He dropped the bar into the holder, sweat beading on his brow. “Fuck, I’ll be sore tomorrow.” He sat up on the cushioned bench and swung his arms. With a chuckle, he said, “I’ll be lucky to hold a water bottle.”
“Yeah, but it’s what you have to do to get bigger and stronger.” I handed him his bottle of Gatorade. My phone buzzed in the pocket of my athletic shorts, and I slipped it out. As I read Ryker’s name on the text notification, my heart flickered.
Ryker
How is Wes doing?
I snapped a shot of Wes, still sitting on the edge of the bench, his dark hair sweat-soaked and drinking from his bottle, and then sent it.
Casey
He’s doing great. He’s stronger than he looks.
“Who’s that?” Wes stood and peered at my phone. “Oh, of course. It’s my brother. How often do you two text?”
With a shrug, I said, “I don’t know. A few rounds a day depending on how busy the shop is or what I’m doing.” We hadn’t discussed when we’d see each other next, though. This week had proven to be busier than I’d thought. But at least I’d found time to work with Wes.
Ryker
Don’t hurt him. I want him to work at the shop a few hours a week.
With a snort, I said, “You didn’t tell me about working at the shop.” Surely Ryker wouldn’t let it affect our training schedule.
“He wants me to step in and clean the place, like once a week. He thinks it’ll build character.” With a scoff, he drank more Gatorade and stood.
“It will. I think it’s a good idea.” I scanned the gym, the guys on cable machines and a few women lifting free weights. “Let’s do the rope thing again.” I needed to build his fast-twitch muscle fibers and cardio.
“Aw…I hate doing that.” He trod toward the rope heaped on the floor in a corner of the gym.
“If you hate it, it means you need to do more of it.” With a smirk, I tapped on my phone. Seeing Ryker on Friday night was a given, but we still had to plan the weekend. Might as well do it now.
Casey
What do you want to do on Friday night?
Ryker
I could cook for you again. What’s your favorite dish?
I didn’t want to turn it down, but I wanted to take him somewhere special. “Hey, Wes, what is one place Ryker loves that he hasn’t been to in a long time?” I focused on him, plucking the ropes and walking away from their tethering point to stretch them out.
“Uh, Sedona? We camped there when Mom was doing well but haven’t been back in at least five years. I know Ryker loves it up there.”
“Sedona?” Here I’d been thinking of restaurants, but this was an entirely different plan I could go with.
I stepped toward him. “If I could book us a room this Saturday and, say, take him there after our training session and bring him home Sunday, do you think he’d let you fend for yourself for a night? ”
“I think so. I’d make sure of it.” With a grin, he pumped his arms, making the thick ropes dance in waves across the floor.
I pressed my fingers to my lips. So, I could have dinner with him at his place on Friday, coach Wes on Saturday morning while Ryker worked and then pick him up and take him to Sedona. I tapped my phone’s screen.
Casey
My favorite home-cooked meal is lasagna. I want you to clear your calendar for Saturday after work and Sunday. It’s a surprise.
The three dots twinkled at me. I wouldn’t wait for him to tell me no.
Casey
I’ve already worked out my plans with Wes, and you’ll be packing a bag. You can’t say no.
A full-on smile pulled at my mouth. Ryker was a little compulsive when it came to watching over his brother. But the kid was old enough to stay home alone for a night, for fuck’s sake.
Ryker
I don’t know about this…
Casey
It’s already done, and Wes is a responsible kid. Give him a night to himself. He’ll be okay, I promise.
Shit, now I needed a room. With a glance at Wes, who panted and dropped the ropes, I opened a travel app.
Wes strutted to me, sweat dripping down the sides of his face. “Well?”
“He’s worried about you. I think you’ll have to convince him and be extra dependable the rest of this week.” Checking availability in Sedona for Saturday night, I scrolled through the options. I didn’t want a cheap-ass place. I wanted something nice.
“I can do that.” He planted his hand on my shoulder. “I’ll talk it through with him. It’ll be fine.”
“Thanks, bro.” I patted his hand on my shoulder, and he dropped his arm to his side. Fuck, this was like having a little brother, wasn’t it? A little brother who loved football. It didn’t get any better than that.
Friday night, I headed to Ryker’s apartment and parked my car. I’d found a room at Sedona’s most expensive hotel, L’Auberge, and I didn’t care how much it cost. I had the money, and splurging on Ryker would be fun. After strolling along the walkway, I stopped at his door and knocked.
Wes flung the door open. “Hey, Casey, come on in.”
Wrapping an arm around Wes, I gave him a side hug and then strolled into the room. The scents of meat, cheese and garlic drifted through the air. “Smells delicious as always.”
Wes made his way to the couch and dropped in, lifting his phone to his face.
Ryker stood at the kitchen island, cutting lettuce. “I thought we could have some salad with our carbs.” His gaze found mine, and a grin quirked his lips.
“Good thinking.” I rounded the counter and encircled him in my arms from behind, nuzzling the back of his ear. “You smell delicious too.” It had been too long since I’d last held him. Almost a week.
He pressed into my chest and turned his head. “Kiss me.”
I planted a quick kiss on his lips. Damn, he was behaving like a different man compared to last weekend.
I’d broken through his defenses. Hugging him tighter, I rested my cheek on the back of his shoulder as warmth spread outward from my chest. The challenge may be over, but my feelings had only gotten stronger.
Maybe not seeing him for the week helped?
Fuck it, I wouldn’t dwell on it. Eli would be proud of me.
“Dinner is almost ready. Do you want to set the table?” He tore from my hold and opened the oven door. “In fact, it is ready.” After grabbing a potholder, he slid the tray of lasagna from the oven and set it on the stove.
“Sure.” I glanced at the cut vegetables on the cutting board. “Want me to throw the salad together too?” It would be my contribution to the meal.
“Yeah, would you?”
“Sure.” Grabbing plates and silverware, I set the table, and then arranged the salad onto smaller plates and brought them to the table. Wes was just sitting there. I should put him to work. “Dude, grab the drinks.”
Looking up from his phone, Wes stared at me for a moment. “Oh, yeah.” He hopped off the couch and grabbed two canned beers for us and a lemonade for himself. “I take it you two are drinking tonight?” He ticked a brow at me.
“Is it Friday night?” Ryker cut the lasagna into squares with a knife. “And, by the way, there’ll be no beer or liquor in this apartment while I’m gone. I’m taking it all with us.”
“Seriously?” Wes sat the drinks on the table. “I can’t even have one beer while you’re gone?” He fell into a chair.
“Hell no, and no parties. I don’t need the cops calling me while I’m away.” Ryker brought the lasagna to the table and set it on hot pads.
“Bro, I was joking. I won’t do anything like that. I’ll only be playing video games with my homies.” Wes tutted. “I don’t want you worrying about me.” He scooped a square of lasagna onto his plate with his fork. “We talked about this. I want you focused on Casey and not me.”
“Damn, thanks, dude.” As I patted Wes on the shoulder, I dropped into a chair next to Ryker and across from Wes. He had my back. Coaching Wes had turned into way more than I’d intended.
Ryker took his seat and plated my food for me, then himself. “I hope you like this. I don’t normally make it, so I had to find a recipe online.” He cut into his food.
“I like anything you cook for me.” I grabbed his forearm, resting next to his plate, and freed him. This was so domestic and different for me, but I liked it. A lot.
With a bite of his food, Ryker’s gaze met mine, and he hummed. “Damn, this turned out well.” He tapped the top of the pasta with his fork.
“Yeah?” I ate a bite, melted creamy cheeses and juicy pork mixed with garlic to burst over my tongue. “Mmm, good.” Washing it down with beer, I glanced at Wes, shoveling food into his mouth. “Guess you’ll have to make this more often. Wes is speechless.”
Wes peeked at me, his cheeks full and mouth chewing. With a nod, he raised his thumb in the air.
“Okay then, it’s a keeper.” With a grin, Ryker ate another bite.
After dinner, we all cleaned the dishes, and Wes retired to his room for some video games.
Grabbing fresh beers, I met Ryker at the sink.
I’d been wanting to talk to him about the conversation I’d had with Dad but hadn’t wanted to mention it in front of Wes.
“Hey, let’s sit on the couch. There’s something I want to discuss with you. ” I handed him a beer.
“Sure.” He tossed his dish towel on the countertop and followed me to the sofa. “Is this about tomorrow?”