Chapter 5 - Rubble in the basement
"Hi, Zack. Where are guys?"
"Chad is down already, and Stan is on his way, I suppose. Where is Kyle?"
"No idea. But he's usually late."
"Right."
Something was bothering him. He didn't say it outright, but I could see it in the way he looked at me.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"So it's your turn now?"
He looked confused.
"Nevermind. What is going on?"
"I saw you Wednesday."
"Okay... Does this story have a happy ending?"
He said it like a poorly-written character in a fairy tale.
"Seriously, Ross. He is getting married in like three months."
"And?"
"You had him sitting in your lap, for god's sake."
"And?"
He shook his head in frustration and closed his locker.
"Just make sure you know what you're doing."
"Right. Thank you for the heartfelt advice."
My mood was gone by now, and I just ripped my clothes off and put them in the locker when Kyle came in.
"Hi."
"Hi." we both said in a grim tone. Zack looked at him with sad disappointment and just left.
"What's up with him?"
"Nothing."
"Did you ask him why they ditched us Wednesday?"
"Don't see the point, but I have an idea."
"And?"
"They didn't want to disturb us."
He looked confused.
"They saw us?"
I expected him to either not get it or feel threatened. Yet he understood between the lines perfectly, and he seemed chilled.
"Only Zack."
"Right."
"You okay?"
"Bro, we hadn't done a thing. The worst he could see was me sitting on you as I fell."
"That's ok?" I smiled.
"Don't grin like that. It's not, but it's nothing I feel the need to stress about. Karl would never even consider coming here, and the chance they would meet and know it's them is so slim I can't really be bothered."
"Damn, big guy, you just opened a whole new door for me."
"Hold your horses, bro. I said I was not bothered by Wednesday. I didn't say you get a free pass for sexual harassment," he smirked at me.
I was about to answer when Stan opened the door. So I just left that there between us, smirking. He knew I was not done. He just made sure of that.
We had the usual warm-up and chatted with guys, but then Kyle asked me if I would spot him.
Zack graciously said he could do it so I could climb as well and calmly pointed out that I could not do much other than spot him on that wall. Neither of us had much to say about that, and I tried to make my peace with watching them leave. The enormous frustration was eating me alive. I wanted to see him make that transition. I wanted to be the one he would be bouncing around, proud of himself. Fuck! There was no logical reason to go to that corner now, and I hated that! If I went now anyway, it would look desperate, and I would be in a way. Fuck! Fucking Zack! He knew perfectly what he was doing!
"You're right, Zack, but I kind of like the way Ross is thinking about it. Ross, would it be okay if we would be changing spots? I need to make longer breaks anyway; my arms were killing me yesterday. I can spot you on some v8. Zack, you can join us if you want; it could be fun."
I just beamed!
"I don't need to be the third wheel. Just be careful, guys."
"Always." We smiled at them and left.
I could kiss him now, just take him in my arms and kiss him! I was so happy. I get to see him make it. That alone was worth it for me. I was so grateful I didn't even think about making some remark about him liking my way of spotting. I took him around the neck and shoulders and playfully pulled him to my side.
"Thanks, bro!"
He smirked.
He didn't send it that day, but we had a lot of fun. We sat under the problem for some time and watched it, talking and working out the route. He then tried it a couple of times, and then we went to find me a suitable challenge. Close by was one easy-looking v9, and even if it was not easy for me, I was already invested in sending it one day! Kyle was spotting me in the regular boring and safe way, but I had a blast even without sexual innuendos.
"You come after to my place?"
"Sure, I brought some old clothes that can be destroyed, so I am ready."
I looked at him playfully. He realized how that could be taken and just laughed at me.
"You and your sick mind, Ross."
"You thought it also," I winked at him.
"Maybe," he looked at me with a grin.
What a fucking tease!
When we came to my place, we cooked again and ate while discussing the plans for the basement. I showed him my drawings, and he had a great laugh looking at them. Well, my drawing skills are not the best, but I can manage with it. I know, thanks to that, where everything should be.
"What is this supposed to be?" he was pointing with a shaking finger at one thing as he was laughing. I didn't find him offensive, I liked how amused he was, but sure, it stung just a bit.
"That's me on the push-up bar." I had to laugh as well. It looked weird.
"You are beautiful," he wiped a tear from his eye as he laughed.
"Thank you. You are not so bad yourself."
He grinned at me.