Here to Win Rewrite (Walker Boys Sequel)

Chap. 19

"Call and cancel," dad ordered to Mary-Anne.

"Don't cancel," I said, through a clenched jaw.

"You're miserable. You can't go over there like this," dad reasoned.

"This is Bill we're talking about. I have to go."

Dad sighed and shook his head. "You're impossible."

"What time is it?" I asked, as I slipped a shirt over my head, biting my tongue to keep from screaming in pain.

"9:30," Mary-Anne answered.

"Who's driving me to Bill's?"

"I am," dad said, as he left my room. "Let's go."

I popped two pain pills in my mouth and then followed him, taking the elevator.

"Good luck honey," Eileen said, as I stepped out of the elevator. She handed me my track bag.

"Thanks," I muttered, accepting her half-hug.

"Mason?" mom called, hurrying out of the kitchen. Her face remained impassive as Eileen finished giving me a hug. "Good luck honey." She kissed my cheek.

"Thanks mom."

I hopped into dad's car and rested my cheek on the cool window, the air blasting in my face. I took in a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"Everything alright?" dad asked, turning down the radio.

"This just sucks."

"You won't be out for too long."

"It still sucks."

He laughed. "Exercise some patience, you just had surgery yesterday."

"I exercised all my patience."

He clicked his tongue as he turned. "You sure you're feeling alright?"

"Is that your subtle way of telling me to check my blood sugar?"

"Yeah, pretty much."

I sighed. "Great, another problem." I pulled out Sheila, knowing that I didn't really need to check it.

After a few moments, the wonderful number of 306 popped up on the screen.

"Maybe we should be a little late," dad suggested.

"Why's that?" I asked, as I unscrewed the top of my water bottle.

"I don't think you're in any condition to make a first impression."

"I'll be alright by the time we get there," I muttered. I pulled a correction out of my bag.

"If you say so," he mumbled, turning back up the radio.

I sighed as I stared out the window. Today was just not starting off to be a good day.

"Hey," dad said, as we neared his house. "Shake it off. You're Mason Walker, lead track star. Don't let your morning bring you down."

I nodded, taking in a deep breath.

"Now check before I drop you off."

I did as I was told, sipping on water. 183.

"Alright, good luck."

I got out of the car and let myself into his backyard. One other kid was already there, and I automatically recognized him. Samuel Lincoln, a silver medalist in the Olympics four years ago.

And Bill thinks I can compete against him?

"Hey Mason," Bill called, waving at me.

Samuel turned to face me, evaluating me just as I had him.

"Hey," I answered, approaching the two of them. I dropped my bag off to the side.

"Unfortunate accident," Samuel said, extending his hand. "Samuel Lincoln."

"I know who you are," I said, grasping his hand. "Mason Walker."

"And I know who you are."

"Who're we waiting on?" Samuel asked Bill, leaning against the side of the house.

"Who do you think?"

"Can he ever be on time?"

I looked between the two of them, lost.

Samuel opened his mouth to explain when we heard a voice calling out to us. I turned to see Caleb Jacobs coming towards us, a gold medalist in the Olympics four years ago.

What the hell is Bill thinking?

"Samuel," Caleb called, as they shook hands. They pulled each other into a quick hug.

"And you're Mason Walker," Caleb said, extending his hand towards me. "Pleasure."

"And you're Caleb Jacobs," I said, shaking his hand. I tried not to let my eyes pop out of my head. "Trust me, the pleasure's all mine."

"So these are the three this year?" Samuel asked Bill.

He nodded. "These are my three boys."

"Bill's three always go to the Olympics," Caleb said to me, grabbing a bottle of water out of the cooler.

"Always," Samuel echoed, nodding his head.

"Except one time," Bill said. "But we don't like to talk about him."

"Matt Kingsley," Caleb said, nodding his head.

"He was one of your three?" Samuel asked.

Bill nodded.

"Matt Kingsley," I echoed, repeating his name in my mind. "The name's familiar."

"Busted for drugs," Caleb said. "He pumped steroids all the time."

"I saw it," Bill said. "But the kid was always at the gym, so I just put it in the back of my mind."

"Until his drug results came back," Caleb said. "Ruined his name forever."

"Damn," Samuel said, shaking his head. "Shame too, his times were impressive."

"Probably because of the steroids," I said, causing Caleb to laugh.

"Just making a statement," Samuel said, chuckling to himself.

"Alright," Bill said, coming out of his house. I hadn't even noticed him leave. He was holding a sheet of paper.

"What's that?" I asked.

"Times," Samuel answered. "The key to the win."

"I don't have an accurate time for Mason," Bill said. "But judging by his stats and earlier times, I'd say he's just as good as Samuel here, maybe even Caleb."

"How do I compare to Caleb?" Samuel asked.

"You're just a second behind."

"Eat my dust," Caleb called, pumping his fist in the air.

"I can come up with a second before the Olympics," Samuel said, a cocky smile on his face. Then it faded. "Wait, you said Mason could give Caleb a run for his money?"

Bill nodded.

I couldn't help but smile. "What's my time compared to Caleb's?"

"You're even with him, sometimes just half a second behind, but never more than half a second."

"That's why we're the three," Caleb said. "We can all give each other a good run."

"And this year I honestly can't predict the winner," Bill said, shaking his head. "You all three are just so close to each other."

"Last year he predicted Caleb in first," Samuel said to me. "And he predicted me in third."

"For the Qualifiers," Caleb filled in. "And he was right."

"But I don't think we're going to get first and second in the Olympics again this year," Bill said, pulling out another sheet of paper. "If you look at China, they've really got some key runners this year."

We spent three hours just reviewing facts and times. It was pretty interesting to see the different countries runners.

"Alright boys, see you on June 23rd," Bill called, as we all three left.

I hopped into the car to see Carson driving, the radio blasting.

"What're you doing?" I asked, turning down the radio.

"Taking you home."

"Where's dad?"

"Work, where else?" He pulled out of the gated house. "So how did it go?"

"Bill told me I could give Caleb Jacobs a run for his money."

"Caleb Jacobs, Olympic gold medalist Caleb Jacobs?"

I nodded.

"Damn." He was silent for a few moments. "Did you meet Caleb Jacobs?"

"And Samuel Lincoln."

"What does he think about Samuel?"

"He thinks I can surpass him."

"I knew you were good Mason but that's BA."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Thanks."

"Maurice is at the house. He's dying to know what happened, just like pretty much everyone else."

"Great."

"Did you eat lunch?"

I nodded. "Bill made burgers."

"Well Eileen made you frosted brownies."

"Because she loves me."

"That's an opinion."

I popped a few pain pills into my mouth and swallowed them dry. I rested my forehead on the glove compartment.

"You feeling alright?"

I shrugged my right shoulder. "I felt alright at Bill's, the pain is escalating a little though."

"That's insane dude. You had surgery yesterday. If I were you, I'd be curled up in a fetal position."

I laughed. "Yeah, because that shows a future Olympian."

"We've been talking about that forever, but now that it's actually time, it's crazy," Carson said, shaking his head. "It's crazy to think that you could go to London, represent the US in the Olympics."

"You're telling me?"

"Yeah, I guess it's pretty surreal for you too."

"Got that right dude."

We pulled up to the house and I followed Carson inside.

"Hey honey," mom said with a bright smile, too bright.

"Hey mom," I said, carefully. I grabbed a Vitamin Water out of the refrigerator. "What's going on?"

"Wedding planner is here," Eileen said, handing me a brownie. "Stressing everyone out."

I looked out on the back porch. Ethan and Sara were sitting outside, Ethan's hair a mess like he'd been running his fingers through it. A woman was sitting out there with them, books up on books stacked on the tables.

"What're they doing?" I asked, watching them.

"Planning their wedding," Eileen said, rolling her eyes. "What else does a wedding planner do?"

"What's there to plan? You wear a dress and a tux and walk down an aisle."

I knew the slap was coming before I felt it.

"You're an idiot," Zoe said, taking my Vitamin Water. She took a swig and then handed it back to me. "They've been here all week, and Sara is falling apart at the seams."

"I haven't seen them around."

"Because you've been cooped up in your room," she said, rolling her eyes.

"Since when do you call her Sara?"

"Since she stopped being my teacher and it became awkward to keep calling her Ms. K, especially when her last name was about to change. So we both agreed that Sara was the better option."

I slipped the sling off my shoulder and turned from the window.

"Doesn't it hurt?" Zoe asked me.

I shook my head. "It aches a little, but it hasn't really hurt since I got up out of bed."

"He has a high pain tolerance," Eileen said to Zoe. "And once he got his mind off of it, it's like it was never there in the first place."

"That's crazy."

"I know," Eileen said, handing her a brownie. "But I think it comes with his high metabolism."

"That doesn't even make sense," I said, rolling my eyes. "They're not even related."

"You're pretty much high on everything," Zoe pointed out, and then cracked up. "Not what I meant."

I rolled my eyes and hopped up to sit on the counter. "So do you think I can go back to school on Monday?" I asked Eileen.

"That's a question for your mother."

"You know just as well as she does."

"I'm not answering that question." She put a pan of lasagna in the oven.

"Why are you making Cody's favorite meal?" Zoe asked.

"How did you know it was Cody's favorite meal?" I asked.

"Who didn't?"

"Me."

"He's coming home today," Eileen said, as she cleaned the counters.

"He is?" I asked.

She nodded.

"Why wasn't I informed of this?"

"Because your mother was afraid you'd leave."

"I would've."

"She wanted the whole family to sit down to dinner tonight," Eileen said, giving me one of her looks. "So behave yourself."

"As long as he does," I muttered

"Wait, I thought he was already home," Zoe said. "I've seen him around here."

"He's staying at Haley's," Eileen said, without looking at me. "He came into town to help Ethan."

"Why's he staying at Haley's?" Zoe asked.

"Because of me," I said, with a smirk. "Right? He didn't want to cause any more trouble?"

"Behave," Eileen ordered.

"Do you guys really hate each other that much?" Zoe asked.

"I don't hate him," I said, choosing my words carefully. "I just don't particularly like him."

"Eileen," dad called, coming into the kitchen. "Company dinner Monday night."

"Thank you for the advance notice," Eileen said, scribbling it down on the calendar.

"How'd it go?" dad asked me, as he washed his hands.

"Good, Bill thinks I have a shot against Caleb Jacobs."

"Damn."

"That's everyone's reaction."

Dad laughed as he dried his hands. "Just surprising is all." He thought for a moment. "Not that I don't think you have the talent-"

"I know what you mean dad," I said, rolling my eyes. "It was surprising to me too."

"Lasagna?" dad asked Eileen. "What's the special occasion?"

"I told you," mom said, coming in from the back porch. "Family dinner tonight."

"I knew I came home early for a reason."

"Did your iPhone alarm go off?" mom asked.

He nodded and gave her a kiss. "You did that?"

She nodded. "I knew you wouldn't remember."

"I'm going to find something else to do," I muttered, carefully hopping down off the counter.

"You could go outside and offer assistance to Ethan and Sara," mom suggested.

"He's terrible at picking out wedding things," Zoe said, rolling her eyes. "You should've seen the ring he picked out."

"It wasn't that bad!"

"It was ugly."

"It really was honey," mom said, squeezing my arm. "Good try though."

"You saw it?" I asked.

"Of course, I'm the fashion designer! Who do you think made the final decision?"

"Ethan?"

"Of course not, he can't even decide what he wants for breakfast in the morning. I made the final decision."

"That's true," Zoe commented.

"Where's Ralph?" mom asked.

"Holly and James took him to the dog park."

"Holly?" I asked.

"They're talking again," she said, rolling her eyes. "But they're not together, so don't even suggest it."

"Alright, well I'm headed back outside," mom said, grabbing a coke out of the refrigerator.

"I need someone to run to the store," Eileen said, as the sifted through the pantry. "We're out of cake mix."

"I'll go," dad said, grabbing the keys. "I have a few errands to run anyways."

"I'll go with you," Eileen said, grabbing her wallet. "I need a few things." She turned to face Zoe. "The lasagna comes out when the timer goes off, in case we aren't back. All you have to do is take it out and set it on the cooling rack."

"Can do," Zoe said, saluting her.

They left and I grabbed another brownie. "And then there was two."

"It seems to happen a lot," Zoe said. "The kitchen will be stuffed, and then everyone disappears at once."

"I think the kitchen is the gathering place."

She smiled at me. "Well now that it's just the two of us..."

"I like where you're going with this," I said, as she curled herself up in my lap.

The front door opened, and I let out a groan.

"What do you think they forgot?" Zoe asked, rolling her eyes.

"Dad probably forgot his wallet, he does that a lot."

"Hello," Haley called, stepping into the kitchen.

Zoe got up off my lap and gave Haley a tight hug.

"Hey Hales," I said, giving her a side hug. "I didn't know you were coming."

"I'm not, I just dropped by to say hello. Where's Momma Walker?"

I pointed out back.

"Oh, never mind. I've done enough wedding planning for the week."

"Where's Cody?" Zoe asked.

"Right behind me, he was talking to Steve." She gave Zoe one last hug. "Goodbye."

"You just came to literally say hello?" Zoe asked.

"I drove Cody over. But I really have to go, I'm supposed to be at work in ten minutes."

I waved goodbye, and less than five seconds later, Cody appeared at the doorway.

"Cody!" Zoe called, jumping into his arms.

"Hey Zo," Cody said, dropping his suitcase. He gave her a tight hug.

"How long will you be here?" Zoe asked.

"Just until tomorrow, then I have to fly out Monday morning."

"So you just came in town to help Ethan?"

He nodded. "I feel like I've planned my own damn wedding at this point."

Zoe's phone rang.

"Hello?" she asked, stepping away from Cody. "What do you mean he fell off?" She walked away, the phone pressed to her ear.

Cody and I looked off in opposite directions, awkward silence filling the kitchen.

"What's for dinner?" Cody asked, after a few minutes.

"Lasagna," I answered, nodding my head.

Silence filled the kitchen again.

"Sorry about that," Zoe said, coming back in. "Ralph fell off a jungle gym. He's okay, but they're bringing him home."

"My mom's still letting the dog stay here?" Cody asked, raising his eyebrows.

"She kind of likes him," Zoe said. "But she won't admit that."

I slipped past the two of them and went up the elevator.

"I was just coming to find you," Carson said, as I stepped off the elevator.

"Cody's here," I said, rolling my eyes. "I couldn't wait to leave."

"Check this out."

I took his phone and looked at the screen. It was an online article, labeled "Future Olympians".

"It ranks people, based on pure statistics, on their shot at the Olympics."

Caleb Jacobs was number one, obviously. But it was number two that made me stop. Mason Walker.

I stared at my name. I was second on this list, listed above Samuel Lincoln. Based on my statistics, I was ranked right under Caleb Jacobs.

"Creepy huh?" Carson asked, after a few more seconds.

"That's crazy," I said, staring at it for a few more seconds. "How'd you find this?"

"Someone sent me the link."

"Who?"

"Guess."

"Maurice?"

Carson shook his head. "But speaking of Maurice, he's waiting for you in your room. I already showed him this."

"Who?"

"Maurice, he's waiting-"

"No idiot, I meant who sent you the link."

"Oh. Cody."

**************************************************************************************************************

So what did you think about Mason's visit with Bill? What about the family time that Mason was forced to spend with Cody? And were you surprised to hear that Cody's been keeping tabs on Mason's Olympic career?

I know it was a bit filler-ish. Sorry :(

For those that asked who my top college team was, I have to stay true to UCF and Blake Bortles. But my heart ALSO belongs to Texas A&M and Johnny Manziel. So lucky me they don't play each other so I can root for both (;

Teaser: Carson & Mason decide to hit up a party and it goes horribly wrong...

Update: Wednesday