“I want to work in the defence force. Aerodynamics research. Drones, flight systems. That sort of thing.”
I grin. The excitement in his voice reminds me of the kid who took his toys apart so he could see how they worked. “Have you applied for anything?”
He shakes his head, letting out a bitter laugh. “They’re disciplined, sharp, and focused. I’ve got the attention span of a fly. They’ll take one look at me and laugh me out of the force.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I’m a screw-up, Zac. Everyone knows it. Why give them the opportunity to say I told you so?”
“You’re selling yourself short, Theo.”
He scoffs. “Are you trying to psychoanalyse me now?”
My lips tug into a smirk. “If it convinces you to put yourself out there and go for the job you want.”
A pillow flies at my head.
I toss it back at him with a laugh.
“If you want me to help with the application or interview prep, just ask.”
“Thanks. I’ll think about it.”
“In the meantime, maybe lay off the booze, drugs, and partying. I don’t think the defence force will look favourably on all those things.”
There’s a moment of silence, then Theo asks, “Why are you helping me?”
I shrug. “We grew up together. I won’t sit back and watch you throw your life away. You’re a smart guy who’s making some really dumb decisions.”
“Aw,” he teases. “Here I was thinking you didn’t like me.”
“I don’t,” I shoot back with a playful grin. “If you get into the defence force, I won’t have to look at your ugly face again.”
“Admit it, pretty boy. You want this.” He runs a hand over his body.
I mime throwing up. “You’re not my type.”
“Want to play some FIFA?”
“Sure.”
I spenda couple of hours playing video games with Theo, then go home to catch up on the class work I missed today. It’s hard to concentrate on anything when all I can think about is Noah. I’m counting down the time until training, that fluttering sensation in my stomach getting worse the closer I get to seeing him.
We have to be careful. I know he’s wary about us, especially after what he went through with Nathan, but that was right under his father’s nose. We’re four thousand kilometres away, and we have Hannah as our cover. Asmuch as it doesn’t feel right using her as a smokescreen, it gives Noah a sense of security. We can figure out everything else after his grandfather’s birthday next month. For now, I’m going to use it to convince Noah we can make this work.
I arrive at the stadium early and head into the gym to try working off my excess energy. The thought of seeing Noah has my body buzzing with adrenaline, but I need to be chill. I’m halfway through a set of crunches when Dane enters, calling out a greeting as he strolls over to the bench press.
“Did I see your car out the front of our place this morning?”
Shit. He’d been asleep when Theo and I rocked up last night, and Theo had been long gone this morning.
“Yeah, Theo went on a bender and needed somewhere to sleep it off. I had to make sure he didn’t choke on his vomit in his sleep.”
Dane laughs and shakes his head. “That guy’s going to get himself into trouble one day.”
“Hopefully not.”
We continue our workouts, the only sounds in the gym our low grunts and the clank of weights.
