Welcome back to the two part series that I'm fully writing before publishing for once!

This is the longest chapter I've EVER WRITTEN at 3100+ words which is crazy. Are my chapters too long? Should I break up longer chapters (like this one) into parts so they're easier to read? I won't be offended by any answer I'm genuinely curious.
•••

Rich has been using his bike a lot more. Not just to ride to community college or work. He rides to the shops whether he needs a full shop or a carton of milk; he rides to visit his friend Brooke despite her apartment being a five minute walk; sometimes he even rides for fun.

But all this riding can lead to a few mishaps. The chain falls off or the bell breaks or a tire gets punctured or Rich falls into a fucking ditch.

Each time this happens, he brushes himself off and wheels himself into Wheely Good.
Jeremy is always waiting behind he counter, nodding hello and yelling to Jake that there's a code red. Even after coming to the store more times than he can count, Rich has no idea what code red means. Rich takes the bike to Jake; they chat, banter and flirt and Rich either leaves with his bike or his heart beating out of his chest.

Today- or more accurately, tonight- Rich rolls to the shop with a dented wheel and broken brakes. He catches Jake as he's locking the shop up for the night.

"Hey" Rich says, catching his attention.

Jake looks to him with a half smile.
"Hey. What happened to her now?"

Rich taps the handlebars.
"We were cycling through a forest with a friend and we crashed into a tree"

The taller boy throws his head back, laughing into the evening sky.
"Gosh that must be my favourite one yet. Well, that one and the time you thought you could ride your bike underwater"

"Yeahhh that was a weird day"

Jake and Rich look at each other for a minute. Jake remembers that he's closing Wheely Good and gestures to the door.
"Your timing couldn't be worse, actually. The store is closed, I won't be able to fix your bike"

Shit.
"Shit"

"But hey" Jake unlocks the door. "I can take your bike in, give you a lift home and fix it up tomorrow"

"Yeah- Yeah! I like the sound of that" Rich is going to get a lift with Jake. Jake! The guy he's been fantasising about in the shower is going to drive him home.

The door is pushed open and Rich hands over Britta. Jake disappears into the dark store. He doesn't turn on the lights for some reason. Rich waits outside, his cold hands stuffed into his hoodie pockets.

His wandering eyes land on Jake's car. Jake must be a college student and the bike shop can't pay much, but damn, he has a nice car. Rich isn't sure of the model but he knows that red cars are expensive; It's common knowledge. Either Jake has a sugar daddy or he's loaded.

"Ready to go?" Jake's voice cuts into Rich's thoughts.

The shorter boy snaps back to reality. He shots Jake a quick but not too enthusiastic nod.
"Just waiting for you, my dear"

Very smooth Rich.
After re-locking the shop doors, Jake and Rich climb into the car. Rich takes a deep breath of the new car smell. Is his car new, or just really clean? Rich doesn't care. He just relaxes into the plush seat.

"Whereabouts do you live?" Jake asks as he cuts on the ignition.

"Canonico Street- it's a left up here, I'll direct you"

The radio automatically turns on. The car fills with the smooth sound of Shawn Mendes. The wheels crunch on gravel as the car starts down the road.

"So you work for a bike shop" Rich says. "But you drive a car to work? That's kinda shameful, Jake"

Jake laughs, turning the car.
"Sometimes I have to deliver bikes to people who can't pick them up and they're a lot easier to transport in a car" Jake explains. "Also I don't own a bike"

Rich's jaw practically hits the floor.
"You work at a bike shop- you fix bikes for living and you don't don't own one?"

"Don't judge me! I just don't really like riding bikes"

"Then why did you get a job fixing bikes?"
Rich points to the right and Jake turns accordingly.

Jake looks to Rich with raised eyebrows.
"You trying to dig up my backstory or something?"

Rich shrugs.
"I've known you for weeks now but I don't really know you, you know?"

"What do you want to know then?"

"Usual stuff. Where you grew up, where you go to school, why you fix up bikes even though you hate bikes-"

"Hey, I never said I hate bikes!"

"You implied it!"

Jake playfully hits Rich's arm. The shorter boy pretends to be hurt.
"Okay. My name is Jake Dillinger- it's not short for Jacob as a lot of people think. I grew up in New Jersey, I take engineering courses in community college and I don't hate bikes. I needed a job and when I was younger I was taught how to fix bikes and since it's the only talent I have, I applied to Wheely Good"

Rich nods along, pursing his lips.
"I see. I call bullshit though"

"You call bullshit on my life story?"

"Well yeah" Rich straightens his posture, ready to go full Sherlock mode.
"You say you needed a job but you drive this flashy car. Like, this couldn't've been cheap, so you're not strapped for cash, so you have no reason getting a job surrounded by bikes which you hate. This means you're either a billionaire or something posing as a bike worker or your parents are rich as fuck. So I- call- bullshit"

Rich is proud of his analysis. He sits back into the plush seat with a satisfied smile. Jake looks . . . indifferent.

Rich furrows his brows when Jake doesn't respond. He leans forward a little, looking to his friend.
"Jake?"

"Your logic is good. Can't argue that" is all he says.

Silence falls over them. Jake's jaw is locked and guilt builds in Rich's stomach. He's not even sure why.

"Sorry if I struck a nerve" Rich says quietly.

"Don't be sorry. You're just smart. Um . . . I don't really talk about my backstory or whatever but uh- my parents are loaded. I'm trying to distance myself from them and make my own living. Hence . . . the bikes" Jake's grip on the steering wheel loosens.

Rich nods.
"Should I ask why you can fix bikes?"

"Id prefer if you didn't"

Silence falls again. Rich's eyes look to the radio.
"Is a Shawn Mendes album playing or something? He's been singing for this entire journey"

Jake chuckles.
"I'm kinda a fan of his music don't judge"

"Hey I'm not judging. Personally I only know like three of his songs but that's just me"
The songs he knows are Stitches, Señorita and Nothing Holding Me Back, in case you were wondering.

Jake turns up the volume, eyeing Rich with a slight smile.

"'Cause I've been askin' 'bout you too; And now we're out here in this room" the radio sings.

"I get a little bit nervous around you!" Jake shouts along. "Get a little bit stressed out when I think about you. Get a little excited. Baby, when I think about you, yeah"

Rich pulls a face, repressing a laugh.
"You're off key"

"Shhh I'm doing great. Get a little self-conscious- I get a little self-conscious. Get a little excited- I get a little excited. Yeah, when I think about you, babe"

Jake turns onto Canonico Street as Rich instructs. He's told to park the car opposite a brick apartment building, so he does. He looks up at Rich's building. It's nothing special. Big windows peering into decent apartments. Rich spots him looking.

"I know it's not as nice as your car but it does its job" Rich says.

"I was just admiring it I promise" Jake looks away from his car window to his lap.

There's a beat.

"You wanna come in?" Rich offers.

Jake smacks his lip.
"Y- I mean, I really shouldn't. No, I'm good. I'll see you tomorrow anyways when you come for your bike"

"Yeah" Rich pushes down his disappointment. "See you tomorrow, Jake"

They smile at each other. Rich claims out of the car. He steps forward to cross the road. A car zips past him, inches from smacking into Rich. He presses back against the car just in time. The car continues to speed by as if it didn't nearly kill a child.

"Rich! Are you okay?" Jake jumps out of the car, his eyes wide.

"Yep!" Rich's voice is four keys higher than normal. He exhales, scowling his rapid heartbeat. "Just nearly got hit by a car I'm good"

With a final wave, and a quick glance down the road, Rich makes his way to his building. He mentally kicks himself as he rides the elevator.

Why did he have to pry? Why did he have to ruin the thing he had with Jake?
No. Rich calm down. He didn't ruin this . . . whatever he has with Jake. They were just bonding or something. That's what friends do, they get to know each other.

"Just bonding" he reassures himself as he watches Cinemasins all night.

☢︎︎

Rich holds off on going to Wheely Good until one in the afternoon. He briefly greets Jeremy at the front desk. At this point, he doesn't need to explain himself. He just shoots a quick, "hello" and beelines straight to Jake.

"RED ALERT I REPEAT THE REDDEST ALERT IN THE WORLD JAKEY D" Jeremy exclaims over the intercom.

"Red alert? That's new" Rich calls before he even reaches the garage area.

"Jeremy got sick of saying code red, I guess" Jake is rubbing his hands on a towel, not looking up at Rich.

"Britta ready?" Rich asks.

Jake nods, picking up the bike and handing her to Rich.

"Don't go cycling through anymore forests"

The shorter boy puts a hand on his chest.
"Cross my heart, i give a big fuck. If I lie, hit me with a truck"

Jake cocks his head with a smile.
"That's a new one"

"I'm very creative" Rich snaps his fingers, shooting Jake a finger gun. "Im also really smooth. Need proof? Watch me ask you out to lunch because I know you get off for lunch at half one every afternoon"

"Ooo very smooth" Jake clears his throat. "Actually, I can't do lunch"

"That's alright. How about tomorrow?"

"Um, Rich- I cant do lunch"

Realisation hits Rich.
"Oh"

"Rich I don't mean like-"

"Nah nah dude it's cool it's fine. I get it, I do. I just hope it's not because of our car ride yesterday"

"It's not I promise"

"Alright cool. Bye then"
Rich 360's and practically runs away from Jake. He can hear Jake call after him but he doesn't stop. Rich just pushes Britta straight out the door. He doesn't even say goodbye to Jeremy. He knows that the cost will be put on his ever growing tab.

As soon as he's on the footpath, Rich climbs onto the bike. Sturdy as always. Jake does his job right. Rich shakes that thought from his mind. He pushes the pedal and rides down the hill. He breathes out. God, it was stupid of him to ask Jake out. Cause that's what he did, he asked him out. And he did it with zero indication that Jake even likes guys.

Rich breathes out again. He pedals faster down the hill. He couldn't be satisfied with just having a friend, could he?

The buildings beside him zoom past. Rich gnaws on the inside of his lip. Rich is an idiot.

He turns to the left at the bottom of the hill. He narrowly dodges pedestrians on the path. He breathes out of pursed lips. Such a huge fucking idiot.

He speeds across the road. Simultaneously, a car zips down the road. It crashes into Rich.

☢︎︎

Casts serve as great makeshift drums. You can tap all kinds of beats on the plaster using your fingertips or knuckles or even spoons.

Rich taps the Wii music onto his green leg casts. He unconsciously hums along. He's only interrupted by his phone buzzing.

Chloe
I've arrived at McDonalds. Did you want mayo or bbq sauce on ur chicken legend?

Rich
Mayo plzzzzzzzz

Chloe
Cool. I'll be like an hour cuz the traffic is insane so I texted a friend so you don't get lonely

Rich
I have a friend?

Chloe
Yes and he should be there any minute

Rich can guess who's coming, but he doesn't want to believe it. He immediately goes into a state of denial, throwing his phone onto the bedside table and continuing to drum on his legs.

He sits there for about ten minutes. A nurse stops by to check his vitals but that's the only visitor he gets. His eyes trace the blank white room, immediately familiarising himself with every nook and cranny. Rich has spent a week trapped in this room and only now he's going insane.

There's a light tap at the door. Rich looks to it, smiling a little.
"Hey"

"Hey" Jake clutches a bouquet of roses at the door. He gestures to them.
"I brought you flowers"

"Why don't you come inside and give them to me"

Jake awkwardly takes a chair, pulling it beside Rich on the bed. He tucks his long legs under the chair as he sits down. Rich gently takes the bouquet, holding it like a baby. He stares down at the petals, unsure what else to do.

"I'm sorry I didn't visit earlier I didn't know that you were in hospital" Jake says, eager to get it off his chest.

"Don't worry about it, man. Though i am a little surprised that you didn't notice that your best customer was missing" Rich jokes.

Jake laughs a little. He looks down at his hands, fiddling with a ring on his middle finger.
"I though maybe you were avoiding me" he admits quietly.

"I've been going to Wheely Good every day for a month, there's no universe where I try avoiding you" Rich's tongue runs away from him but he doesn't care or notice. He may be a little loose lipped due to his pain medication.

Jake looks up at Rich. His eyes quickly fall to the neon casts on his legs.
"Would it be stupid to ask how you're doing?"

"Just a few broken bones" Rich attempts to dismiss.

Jake is clearly not satisfied with his answer but moves on anyways.
"Chloe called Wheely Good and told us you were in an accident. What- can I ask, what happened to you?"

"Got hit by a car while I was cycling home" Rich says casually.

"Cycling home? Like after picking up your bike?"

"Yeah"

"Shit dude" Jake puts his head in his hands, exhaling a shaky breath. "I'm sorry"

"Don't be. You weren't driving" Rich flatly attempts to lighten the mood.

"If I went to lunch with you" Jake's breathy voice shakes. "You wouldn't have gotten hit by the car"

Rich shakes his head.
"Jake don't say that"

"I have to. One of us have to. If I just got my head out of my fucking ass then your legs wouldn't be broken"

"Jake- shut up" Rich practically snaps.

Jake swallows. He stares at the floor, gnawing on his bottom lip as his hands twitch.

"Yeah. I got hit by car. It's been foreshadowed so much it was inevitable" Rich states. "But that had nothing to do with us not going to lunch. I . . . I prematurely asked you out and that was my bad, but that doesn't mean it was my fault. You didn't want lunch but that doesn't make it your fault. We can't blame anyone. Not even the driver who's been visiting me everyday and is actually pretty cool"

Jake doesn't move, apart from his bouncing knee. He sighs.

"It's not 'your bad' that you asked me out. I've been flirting with you for the last month in hopes that you'd ask me out" he mutters.

Rich furrows his brows, cocking his head to the side in confusion.

"I only said no because . . ." Jakes mouth hangs open as he tries to find the words. "It's stupid okay? My 'backstory' or whatever is stupid and I'm stupid because I turned down a date with a super hot guy and I can't even offer up a good explanation why. I was just . . . emotional I guess I don't know I'm sorry"

Rich holds out his hand. Jake doesn't notice because he's repressing a panic attack by having eye sex with the floor.

"Jake hold my hand" Rich says.

Jake looks up, staring at Rich's hand like it's an alien artefact. He slowly takes it. Rich's hand is really small but it fits perfectly into Jake's giant one. Rich's thumb strokes the back of Jake's hand.

"Clearly you have some stuff you don't want to
talk about and that's none of my business. But I really want to get involved in your business if you know what I mean"

Jake snorts. The pair break into laughter, relieving the guilt and tension previously in the room.
"I would love for you to get involved in my business and yes I know what you mean"

"Do you just agree to date me? Are we dating?" Rich can't help but grin.

"We are dating" Jake confirms.

Rich snaps his fingers.
"Actually, Chloe is coming with McDonalds. We can have that lunch after all"

"That sounds great" Jake kisses the back of his hand.

"Oh you can do better than that" Rich remarks.

Jake rolls his eyes. His hand reaches up to cup Rich's face. Jake kisses the short boy gently. Rich immediately holds his face, kissing back as hard as he can.

Rich pulls back, looking into Jake's eyes.
"I just realised the best thing about dating you- besides your amazing kissing abilities"

"Yeah? What's that?"

"I don't need to pay off my tab at Wheely Good"

This makes Jake laugh.
"Yes yes you do. You owe us a lot of money"

Rich sighs in defeat.
"Fuck. What's the point of dating you then?"

"I'll eat half your McDonalds" Jake smiles.

"I'm sold!"

•••
This chapter took ages to write and I just realised that I forgot to explain the code red thing. Lemme see if I can go back and insert it somewhere

Nope I can't fit it in so I'll just explain it here. Code Red is what Jeremy says to Jake over the intercom whenever someone hot enters the store (red = red hot = attractive)

I was going to have Jake explain that in the hospital but it didn't work with the flow of the dialogue (I say that in hopes that the dialogue flows)

Anyways, I hope you're all having a great day and drink some water it's healthy

- Averyyyyyyyyy (with extra ys this time)