“Better with you here. I love you, Ell.”
“Love you too, Jennings.”
They drifted off to sleep in each other's arms, in what Elliot still believed to be the world’s tiniest bed.
Chapter 28
Jackson
Leicester, 9 days to the Olympic Marathon
The next morning, Jackson was rudely awakened by Elliot’s alarm at five thirty in the morning. The sheer act of Elliot climbing out of the bunk roused him too much to drift back off.
“Bloody hell, why so early?”
Elliot laughed, obnoxiously spritely for the time of day. Jackson hated morning people. “You didn’t think I’d let you slack off on your training while you were here, did you?”
“I hoped.”
“Jackson, I’m expecting you to not just make it to the Games, but to bring home some hardware, so get your sexy arse out of bed and get moving. I want you to get a session in before visiting hours start at the hospital.”
Jackson’s ire melted a little bit at that. Elliot wasn’t forcing him out of bed at this ungodly hour for his own annoying routine; he was way more thoughtful than he ever let on.
“You know, even if I do make it to the Games, I’m not going to medal,” he replied.
Elliot scoffed. “Not with that attitude.” He walked out of the room, already fully dressed in his tracksuit with a whistlehanging around his neck that Jackson was pretty sure was all for show.
The rest of the house was still quiet as Jackson rustled up some oatmeal for the two of them, and Elliot outlined the training plan he’d put together for Jackson for the day.
Jackson briefly read over the document Elliot had opened on his phone, seeing nearly a full week of training planned out. “This is different to what Anders had for this week.”
Elliot flushed. “I wanted to keep it light, but you need to work on your pacing, so I’ve added more variable sessions in.”
Jackson knew it, and Elliot knew it—every single time Elliot had outrun him, he’d done it in the final moments of the race. It shouldn’t have felt like a big deal, but to Jackson, this was Elliot putting him before their rivalry, giving him the tools to win, even against him.
“I’ve done a five-day plan with a sharp taper,” Elliot said.
“You really think I’ll still be able to run.” It wasn’t a question. He was amazed that Elliot seemed so confident. When he’d ditched the flight last minute, he’d been positive that would be it, that he’d be cut without question, and Elliot replacing him had felt like the only silver lining to it. But Elliot was here too now, and if his dad was doing as well as the hospital said, well, maybe he could be a little bit selfish just one more time.
"I want to make sure you get in for a sports massage while you’re here,” Elliot continued as though Jackson’s awe was ridiculous.
“I’ve got a few people I can ring,” he replied eventually.
“Right.” Elliot smiled. “Guess you trained here most of your life.”
Jackson nodded. “I’ll show you around a bit. We can definitely use the track I used to train at. I’m friendly with the club and still have a key. I come back and do talks and stuff like that whenever I can.”
Elliot gave him a fond look. “Of course you do.”
“So, what’ve you got for me today, Coach?” Jackson asked with a wink.
Elliot flushed. “Don’t say it like that.”
“Did you like that?”
“Shut it.” Elliot pouted. Jackson leaned in to kiss him. “Stop trying to delay your workout.”
“I’m not, I swear. You’re just very kissable when you’re all flustered and turned on,Coach.”
