Down Bad (Buck x Eddie)

Chapter Seventeen: Gold Rush

This chapter deals with graphic depictions of a near death experience. please be advised.

Gold Rush by Taylor Swift

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Evan "Buck" Buckley
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Eddie finishes getting Chris dressed for his first day of school, and I drag myself out of bed at six in the morning to see him off.

"Have a good day, buddy." I ruffle his hair and he giggles.

"You too, Buck." He grabs his backpack and rushes to the door, "Dad! Let's go!"

Eddie nods, not even dressed, to take Chris to school. They leave the apartment and I go back into the bedroom and grab my phone from the charger. No point in falling back asleep when Eddie will be back soon.

A whole day with just me and my favorite person. No distractions.

We're on month four of being together in some capacity and I can feel us inching closer to moving in together. My lease for the loft ends next month, so maybe Eddie will let me move in with him and Chris.

A guy can wish.

I start a pot of coffee and call Maddie back. She finally went on her date with Chimney last night, after months, and definitely wants to talk about it.

"Buck, hey." She answers tiredly.

"Hey. Sorry I didn't pick up last night, had an early night because Chris is starting school today." I reply and I hear her shuffling around in her room as she gets up.

"You're down bad for Eddie, aren't you?"

"As down bad as someone can be," I answer as the coffee pot finishes, "How was the date?"

"Oh it was amazing!" Her voice is no longer tired at the mention of their date. It's lighter, happier.

"That's good, did you still go to the place on the coast?"

"No, we actually just went to that bar, the one with the mechanical bull and we had some drinks, then went back to his apartment and got take out and just talked. He's a great guy, Buck." She gushes and I nod as I mix in cream and sugar.

"I know he is. We've worked together for over a year, but I'm glad you're happy, Mads. You deserve it." I tell her but I hear someone in the background.

"Maddie, are you still at his apartment?"

She muffles her voice, "I've gotta go. He's waking up."

The call quickly disconnects. She tried to be so sly about the fact she was still at Chimney's place. Maybe I should just be an asshole and show up there for the hell of it. Just to surprise them both.

Maybe Eddie and I will when he gets back?

I sit on the couch and turn on the TV, flicking it to the news. Of course, the first station I land on is my ex's station.

Taylor Kelly stands in front of the camera, an overpass with smoke billowing behind her, "For those of you now tuning in, just seconds ago a car accident caused a crash, and with the crash, came the collapsing of the overpass that heads into the Culver City area. Residents are being advised to follow police detours and listen for further instructions as it's not yet known what caused the accident."

Almost in sync with the news announcement, comes the ringing of the phone. I hear a second ring coming from the bedroom. I go to check, and sitting on the opposite nightstand, face down, is Eddie's phone.