Page 54 of Fast Break
“Yeah, me too,” I admit. It has been tense as hell this week even though I’ve managed to avoid a few lunchtimes with my friends. That science project really has come in handy.
“Can we just forget it happened?” Jace asks, looking up at me from under his eyelashes.
“It’s already forgotten.”
“Good,” he says, falling into step beside me as we head towards English class. “And I’m sorry about what I said about JT too. I didn’t mean any of that. I guess I was just lashing out.”
I’m quiet for a moment, processing Jace’s words and wondering what to say. “Thanks. I appreciate that.”
“Good. Thank you for being understanding. I don’t want to ruin our friendship.”
“Me either, Jace.” We smile at each other and I’m pleased to see that he really seems to mean it. We’ve been friends with each other so long I really hate for us to be at odds like this.
“Now that’s all over do you want to hang out tonight? I promise Benson and Eddie are coming too,” Jace says, a hint of guilt on his face. “Eddie might even be bringing Matilda.”
“Um,” I hesitate.
“Are you busy?” Jace asks, guessing the reason for my hesitation.
“Well, um, I was already planning on going to watch the basketball tonight,” I admit, knowing I have basically just detonated a truth grenade between us. Jace doesn’t hide his shock as the truth I am not saying becomes evident.
“You? Quinn Dayton? Are voluntarily going to watch a game of sports?” he asks doubtfully. I just shrug and Jace snorts out a laugh. “Man, you must really like him.”
I neither confirm nor deny his statement but I know my actions are confirmation enough. I’m also aware of the awkwardness in this space between us still and we walk the rest of the way to class in silence, both of us stewing on our own thoughts while sipping the peace coffee. I have zero doubt my attendance at the basketball will be a topic of much conversation between my friends tonight, but I know I have to be okay with that.
I just really hope JT doesn’t mind. Because even though me going to watch his basketball game doesn’t confirmhisfeelings towards me, it’s certainly confirmed mine for him.
CHAPTER 19
jt
I’m beginning to forget what my life was like without Quinn. What it was like to wake up and not have him be my first thought of the day. What it was like to fall asleep without him as my last thought, my dreams full of him. The way I think about him constantly, the way I plan and plot my days around being with him every minute I can get.
I can’t believe it when he shows up at my game again on Friday night. I’m almost delirious with excitement when I glance up to see him squeezing into a seat near the back row, looking way too sexy for our school gymnasium.
I like how he doesn’t bother wearing the navy and silver team colours unlike most everyone else who comes out to watch us. It makes him stand out even more than he already does. Quinn’s a classy guy though and my eyes are very happy to see him there in that long woollen coat and his black jeans, his dark hair swept back from his face. I am a very big fan of the look.
I notice the way his eyes darken as he looks me up and down in my basketball uniform, the way he focuses on my biceps. I think maybe he likes the way I look too. Which works out very nicely for the both of us I think.
Trey bumps my shoulder as he notices me watching Quinn, obvious smirk on his face. I grin and focus back on our pre-game warm up.
“Do try to focus tonight,” Trey says in my ear as we head towards Coach. “I hope you’re not going to lose your game just because your man’s sitting in the stands.”
“Not going to happen,” I assure my cousin. I know this because having Quinn in the stands makes me want to play the best game of my life. My grandparents are here too, sitting beside Trey’s family and I want to make them proud as well.
“Good, cos we’ve got a game to win,” he reminds me. Not that I need the reminder. If we win tonight we shore up top place on the ladder which makes our path into finals an easier equation with guaranteed home games. Unfortunately, the same result is at stake for our opposition, the Southside Devils, who have been neck and neck with us all season.
We crowd around Coach Vizard, and I push thoughts of Quinn out of my head as best I can. Tonight is about the game, and I need to keep my focus there.
“Alright team, listen up,” Coach Vizard says. Trey is beside me, his arm heavy on my shoulders, Kye on my left. “We’ve put in the work, the sweat and the training. Tonight’s game isn’t about perfection, it’s about heart. It’s about playing for each other and leaving it all out on the court. Defence wins games. Hustle for every opportunity. Trust your training, trust each other, and stick to the game plan. JT, I want you setting the pace and fighting for every loose ball. Trey, I want you owning the ring. Vince, the jump balls are yours. Marco and Kye, I want their zone to be yours and every rebound in your hands. Everyone puts in the effort tonight and we leave it all out on the court. Let’s go, boys.”
We all put our hands in and chant1-2-3 Dukesbefore the starting five run out onto the court. Our bench doesn’t get a lot of court time, but the guys there also play in the division two team, so I don’t feel bad for them. I can hear the crowd cheering for us and I risk a quick look up at Quinn, seeing his eyes focused on me. He gives me a lopsided grin and I return it before settling into my rhythm, mind on the game.
It’s showtime.
I play better knowing Quinn is up in the stands for me. I don’t like to admit it, but I am a bit of a showman and I like performing on the court. I do that better knowing I have a support team who are there just for me. Quinn is my person and I use him to fuel my game. I want it to be my best one ever and I feel like I’m getting pretty close to that. Quinn doesn’t clap or cheer like the rest of the crowd, but I relish those secret smiles he gives me even more when I do something he likes.
But even though I’ve managed to put up eighteen points by half time, we are still behind on the scoreboard. I also know what Coach is going to say as we huddle around him for his pep talk, his eyes on me and Trey. My excitement spikes.
