Page 80 of Fast Break
JT gives them an enthusiastic clap at the end of their painful presentation and fist bumps Trey on his way back to his seat. My sweet boyfriend is nothing if not loyal.
“Nailed it,” JT comments while Trey nods back at him, pleased as punch with his efforts for some reason I’ll never understand.
It takes nearly the whole double lesson before the presentations finish and Mr Peters gives the class an early minute. I pack my bag and wait for JT who slots his hand back into mine right where it belongs. We’re passing Mr Peters’ desk when he calls us over.
“I’m honestly really impressed with your project, boys,” he repeats. “I haven’t read the paper yet, but I just wanted to let you know you’ll both be getting perfect marks for the presentation component.”
“What? Really?” JT asks, jaw dropping to the floor. “I’ve never had perfect marks before.”
“Well, I suspect it won’t be a complete shock for Mr Dayton,” Mr Peters says with a wry grin and I just shrug. No, perfect marks are fairly standard in my academic career, but I have to say I am super pleased I am here for JT’s first.
“Of course not,” JT returns easily. “Quinn’s perfect. But I’m certainly not so this is quite a thrill for me.”
“I’m glad,” Mr Peters replies. “You deserve it. I’ll let you both go but I’m hoping everything is going okay with you, JT?” I wait for JT to answer, really pleased that Mr Peters cares enough to ask about my boyfriend’s welfare. I’m aware these check ins are better asked by someone outside our private bubble. Besides, Mr Peters is the main reason why JT and I got together so at this point I literally owe the man everything.
“Yeah. It’s going okay,” JT replies only a little hesitantly.
“I did mean it about checking out the school’s counselling service. They are really good at dealing with the kind of issues you might be facing.”
“Yeah. I will, sir,” JT agrees. I feel immense relief at that. It’s not that I ever want to push JT into doing something he’s not prepared for or interested in, but I honestly think some kind of counselling will really help him. I also know I’m not the best person to push for it, so I send Mr Peters a grateful smile and head into the corridor with JT.
He's quiet as we walk slowly down the hallway, obviously deep in thought. He stops when we near the exit and I glance across at him.
“I think I will do it,” he finally says.
“The school counselling?” I prompt.
“Yeah.”
“I think that’s a great idea, JT,” I encourage. “I wish I could help you more with what’s going on in your head, but I really think talking to a professional will be good for you.”
“You do help me, Quinn,” JT replies seriously. “More than you will ever know. You make me believe it’s okay to love you and I can’t ever be more grateful for that.”
A wave of emotions hits me square in the chest and I have to take a moment before I reply. I’ve never been an overly emotional guy, but JT just brings out all the feelings in me.
“I’ll always be here for you,” I promise him as soon as the wedge is removed from my throat.
“I love you,” he sighs. I can’t stop myself from leaning down that inch that separates us and pressing a kiss to his lips. I don’t care that we’re in the middle of a school corridor. All I care about is JT and making sure he knows how much I love him.
“I love you too,” I tell him when I break the kiss. He rests his forehead against mine and I just breathe him in until the school bell chimes, and we break apart.
***
I have just managed to work JT’s blazer off his arms, my tongue pressing down his throat when his phone starts ringing, loud and obnoxious. He groans but ignores it while I press my thigh between his legs and start on his shirt buttons.
The phone stops ringing but starts up again immediately and JT swears and drops his head.
“Just let me see,” he says as he reaches into his bag and pulls out his phone. I know if it’s his parents he’ll silence the call but the name on display is Trey’s and I know he’s going to answer. He grimaces at me as he answers the call, holding the phone to his ear.
Trey is so loud I have no difficulty hearing him as he calls enthusiastically down the line. “Bro, did you get an offer letter from the NBL1 scout?”
JT sits up in a hurry, our make out session instantly forgotten as I sigh and try to hide my disappointment. “What? No, I haven’t been home yet.”
“Well get home immediately, cuz, cos I am sure if I’ve got an offer, you do too.”
“Seriously?” JT asks. “Who is it with? Oh, we have to be on the same team or I’m going to rage.”
Trey names the team he has an offer for which has no meaning to me as I am not even remotely aware of the national semi-professional league. Or the actual professional league for that matter. Maybe I should dust up on my knowledge because I have a growing feeling it’s going to become a big presence in my future.
