Page 2 of The Entire Team

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When Teddy turned sixteen, he designated himself the chaperone for his freshmen sister and friends. During the week Teddy would float through school with a new girl on his arm and on the weekends chauffeur for his sister and friends. More than once his sister, Sarah, would open the door to Teddy’s room and find the ‘girl of the week’ in a compromising position. Teddy would fly across the room as fast as he could, figuring his sister’s vision was poor enough to miss most of it. She could hear him from behind the closed door telling his guest, “She didn’t see anything.”

“I think it’s so cute how you take care of her and her little friends. Now where were we?”

And Teddy knew this would be the last time he had that girl over.

By the time he was seventeen he knew Bethany’s hands were the only hands he wanted on him.

At 15, Bethany had started getting attention from boys in her classes. Teddy watched the clumsy attempts from kids she’d been in class with for years and years, the smoother attempts of the ‘regular’ kids she took some classes with, and finally thecool attempts of the boys that figured she was an easy target and would appreciate their attention.

He would laugh as she sniffed out the cocky ones. Be amazed at the gentleness she showed to the classmates she had and the ignorance she could have toward the rest.

When Teddy graduated,he went to the Naval Academy. He wanted to serve and wanted to be a SEAL. He came home frequently, under the guise of watching out for Sarah, keeping an eye on Bethany. His second year into academy he was surprised when he got home for a weekend and Bethany was nowhere to be found. “Where is she?” he asked Sarah, as he was driving her to the mall.

“She’s out with Andrew.”

“Who’s Andrew?”

Sarah’s eyebrow lifted. “He’s new. The girls say he’s good looking. He’s been taking Bethany out for a bit now.”

“What’s ‘a bit’?”

Sarah looked at her brother. “She was tired of waiting for you I suppose.”

“What?” Teddy tried to brush it off casually. “I’m not---”

“Save it for someone else. Despite your whoring high school days, I’m wise to you.”

“Her pare?—”

“What, she’s better than you? Her parents would disapprove?” Sarah acted like she was thinking it over. “You’re right, she is. They might. But she’s wanted you about as long as you’ve wanted her. And you’re gonna graduate and be a SEAL. Who would say ‘No’ to you?”

Teddy drove in silence, parking at the mall.

Sarah finally having to ask, “Are we there?”

Teddy shook his head, back into the moment. “Yeah, where are we going?” He pushed open his door and went around to get his sister.

“It’s prom silly. I need a dress.”

Teddy over exaggerated his groan.

“Best part,” Sarah bumped her shoulder into him. “You’re going with me.”

“What! Didn’t anyone ask you?”

“Not worth mentioning. Besides isn’t my brother always telling me they’re only looking for one thing?”

“Your brother sounds pretty smart,” Teddy bumped her back as they entered JCPenny.

“I do expect you to wear your uniform. Cheaper than a tux.”

“True,” Teddy responded quietly.

“So, lets pick something that’ll go with that.”

“Sarah, it’s white.”

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