[Wigan U21 Gym]
"Did you see her?"
"Nah, I didn't. She was fine, though."
"Hey, who do we play next?"
"Anyone seen my sock?"
While these wisps of conversations flew about the room, Jake was on the bench, his face tense as he pressed up another heavy set.
The veins on his forearms stood out, his breath coming in sharp bursts.
Beside him, Ezra sat on a nearby bench, scrolling lazily through his phone, one earbud in as he kept himself busy before his next set.
Jake grunted, racking the bar back with a loud clank before exhaling deeply and then rubbing his arms.
"That's it," he muttered, sitting up. "That's the one."
Ezra didn't look up at first, not until his phone buzzed again, lighting up with a notification, where it showed a post from Instagram.
Jake leaned over a bit, curiosity getting the better of him.
On the screen was an image of Leo, standing on the Italian training pitch, one foot resting on a ball, the blue of his sleeveless kit bright under the sun.
