Gravity Check Read Online Free Page B

here. I doubt whether he’s going to want to keep going.
    Everyone is silent, staring at him, watching to see how he’s going to manage his first serious stack.
    Nolan looks around at the mess spread around on the ground nearby. He takes another shaky breath.
    â€œWow,” he says. He looks up at Rico and blinks. Then he looks back at the gear that’s strewn everywhere. “Holy. Got me quite the yard sale, here, eh?”
    Seth and I burst out laughing.
    Chase grins. “Let’s get you patched up, Nolan,” he says. He rummages in his first-aid kit.
    And just like that, we’re back in business.

chapter seven
    The rest of the day passes in a blur of biking. No more serious bails, though, thank god. Chase did a good job of dressing Nolan’s knees and wrapping his arms. His chin looked a lot better too, after it was cleaned off and all the little bits of gravel were washed out.
    By the time we reach the campsite, it’s late afternoon. We find our packs tossed in a careless heap, baking in the afternoon sun. I wish a band of gnomes would come set up our tents and make supper for us.
    My butt is sore as I dismount and lean my bike on a tree near the fire pit.
    I’m not the only one. We’re all stiff.
    â€œAugh!” moans Seth as he peels himself off his saddle. “My ass is so done with being on that seat.”
    â€œWait until tomorrow morning,” says Chase. “You’ll be even more sore. Sorer? Is that a word?” He shrugs, shoulders his pack and walks it over to a flat patch of gravel. He looks around the area. “What do you guys say we set the tents up here?”
    â€œYou mean, what do we say to you setting up the tents for us?” says Seth with a grin. “Sounds good to me. Right where you are looks like a perfect spot, Chase.” Seth wanders over to the tree stumps circling the fire pit and eases himself down next to Nolan, who’s popping sunflower seeds like they’re Smarties. Seth holds out his hand, and Nolan dumps a handful of seeds into his palm.
    Chase laughs at Seth’s words, and I feel that familiar stab of jealousy. It’s always so easy for Seth. He even gets away with being a lazy bum because he’s such a charmer. But Chase surprises me with what he says next.
    â€œNot likely,” Chase replies. “Sore ass or not, there’s work to be done. Rico and Nolan, you two are on supper detail. Jamie and Seth, you’re helping me set up the tents. We’ll do the bear hang after.”
    I groan.
    â€œBut I just sat down!” Seth whines. Chase ignores him.
    Nolan dives headfirst into the bag of food we packed earlier. Rico pumps up the propane stove. Pots rattle and crash as they get to work.
    Chase pulls a bundle of poles out of the tent bag. “When you guys get done helping me set up these tents,” he says, “I’ll give you some free time to roam as long as you’re back in time for supper. Tomorrow night we’ll switch. You’ll be on supper prep and the other guys can have freebies.”
    â€œCan we take our bikes?” I ask.
    â€œIf you’re responsible about it,” Chase says, straightening the poles. He looks at us meaningfully.
    Seth and I look at each other. Right on! Time to ourselves on the trails? Sweet. My butt feels much less sore as I think about the prospect.
    We work like machines, laying down ground sheets, pushing tent poles through sleeves and pounding in pegs. Before long, we’ve got two nice sleeping shelters set up.
    Chase unzips the door to one of the tents and unrolls his sleeping pad. He waits until it inflates, then eases himself down on it. A copy of Surfer’s Path appears from inside his pack. “Where are you guys headed?” he asks. “It’s pretty remote out here. I’ve got to know where you’ll be in case we need to send the search party after you.” He winks and nods in the direction of Nolan and