Chapter 2
The next morning came far too quickly for Ethan's liking and before he knew it he was in the driver's seat of his car, which was still encrusted with the fouler vocabulary of the neighbourhood children. He took a deep breath and tried to keep his hands from trembling.
"Right, let's get this show on the road!" Cal exclaimed, dropping himself into the passenger side. "You ready?"
"Mm hm." Ethan swallowed. "As I'll ever be."
"Great! So get going then."
"J-just like that?"
Cal saw how tightly wound his brother was; the stiff set to his shoulders and the clenched fists gave it all away. "You can do this, Ethan."
"It's not that easy," Ethan mumbled. "It isn't like being frightened of spiders or- or heights. If I mess this up it isn't just me that suffers. I could hurt someone." He took a shuddering breath and squirmed in his seat. "And I did."
"Ethan-"
"I know, I know you think it wasn't my fault but... I was driving. I could have done something."
"That's ridiculous and you're an idiot," Cal responded immediately, glad when it prompted a smirk from Ethan. "Now put the key in the ignition."
"Cal I can't drive-"
"It isn't driving," Cal reassured. "It's just putting the key in the ignition. Then turning it. And worry about the next step when you get there - one thing at a time."
"Fine, but I don't like this," Ethan grumbled, getting his key ready. "It won't work."
"Yeah yeah, just get going," Cal said. "So ummmm... Doctor Hanna or Mrs Beauchamp, who would you rather?"
"Excuse me?"
"Come on it's a valid enough question. I'll go first, Mrs Beauchamp all the way."
"Like you'd get the chance..." Ethan muttered, turning the key and checking his rear mirror. "With either of them for that matter."
"It's would-you-rather, Ethan," Cal pointed out. "It's not supposed to be realistic."
"You're genuinely disgusting, do you know that?" Ethan started to put the car into reverse. His breathing hitched a little as they started out onto the road.
"What about Noel or Big Mac?" Cal asked swiftly, and it had the desired effect.
"What? Is this what you think about when you're on your own, which of our many colleagues and acquaintances you'd like to- to have your way with?!"
Cal laughed. "Did you seriously just say "to have your way with"?"
"Shut up."
By this point they were trundling down the road, Ethan's eyes flickering constantly from the windshield to the wing mirrors. His grip on the wheel was vice-like.
"No, no it's um - what's that word I want? It's quaint!" said Cal. "And you still haven't answered my question..."
The rest of the practice drive passed in much the same fashion. Cal wittering on about anything that popped into his head to try and distract Ethan from overthinking everything that might go wrong. The approach seemed to work - as they came full circle back to their flat, Ethan was totally relaxed.
"Well you're moving slower than a snail's great grandmother," Cal said as Ethan parked up. "But then that's always been the case, hasn't it?"
"Cal." Ethan turned the keys and the car engine cut out. "You are perhaps the most annoying, difficult person I have ever known."
"Guilty as charged," Cal acknowledged. "But do you have a point?"
"My point is... well, thank you," said Ethan. "I um- well it's a huge relief, to be honest."
"No problem." Cal's tone was indifferent but he couldn't deny the warm feeling blooming in his chest. "Only did it so you could pick up more beer if I'm honest."
"Caleb!"
Cal was awoken next morning by his own blaring ringtone. After his driving session with Ethan he'd gone to get some beer for himself, then called up Max and Lofty to help him drink it. Ethan had been in bed early for his shift the next morning.
Cal grasped his phone and the first thing he saw was the time - 6:42AM. Then he saw who was calling him.
"This had better be good."
"Sorry, were you sleeping?" Ethan's voice crackled over the phone.
"What do you think?"
"I just wanted to know if you fancied a lift?"
Cal sighed and pinched his nose. "My shift isn't until this afternoon."
"Oh of- of course." Ethan fell quiet on the line. "I'll just leave you to it then."
The call cut out and Cal rolled over, eager for sleep.
But sleep didn't come. After all, Ethan had known they were on different shifts. Knew Cal would have been asleep. With a groan, he forced himself awake and grabbed his recently discarded mobile. He dialed his brother's number and started pulling on his clothes.
"Cal?"
"You haven't set off yet, have you?" He asked, though he already knew the answer.
"No, I haven't. Why-"
"I forgot I'm um- I wanted to do a double shift today. I'll be down in five minutes, okay?"
Cal could hear Ethan's relief over the phone. "Okay. See you soon."