Chapter Thirty Six We're Back

We had one and a half week before we can start cheer practice again and Hailey was ready to kill us. She knew exactly how she was planning on doing everything. There wouldn't be much of a break for anyone. The hours we're going to put in would murder us.

I would be pretty busy for awhile. Between balancing work, school, and practice I wouldn't have any free time any time soon when March arrived. I already knew I would be stressing out even before it came.

I had just laid down on my bed when there was a knock on the door. I groaned, not wanting to get up from my comfortable spot but I did anyway.

I opened the door and standing behind it was Hailey.

"Hey." She greeted me. "I would've texted but you don't have your phone.." She trailed off. "I was going to ask if you wanted to come with us to the basketball game but you look tired."

I shook my head. "I am but I'll go."

"You sure?" She asked. "You don't have to."

"No, I'm fine. I promised Landon and Devon I would make it to their last game since I missed so many of them."

Hailey nodded her head. "Okay. Well, we're leaving soon. Cassidy is with Nolan so you can ride with me and Levi."

"Okay. Sounds great. Just give me a second to change."

"I'll be outside, okay?"

I nodded before shutting the door. I stripped out my work clothes and changed into comfortable skinny jeans and a navy blue cotton shirt. I slid my feet into my black uggs before fixing my hair.

I grabbed my wallet and jacket as I walked out the door. I took the stairs because the elevator was taking forever to come up this morning. I walked outside and headed towards Hailey's car.

I hopped into the back and she pulled away from the curb.

"When is Mom giving you your phone back?" Levi asked.

I shrugged. "I don't know. She hasn't said anything."

"This is probably a late question." Hailey started. "but why did she take your phone away and not Levi's?"

I shrugged, again. "Honestly, that's a good question. I don't know why she took it."

Hailey drove us to the high school's gym and a throng of people were walking inside. Hailey drove around to the find a parking spot. She found one near the back.

We got out and as we were walking towards the building, Hailey locked her doors. We stepped inside and paid. I saw Skylar at the concession stand, paying for candy and nachos.

I feared she was going to drop it so I went to help her.

"Hey, Skylar." I greeted her, smiling.

"Cole!" She exclaimed. "Does my brother know you're here?"

If she was referring to Landon, yes but if she meant Jayce then I didn't know. I didn't tell him I was coming but I was assuming Landon probably told him I was.

"Yeah, he knows." I told her. "Here let me help you with that." I grabbed the nachos and we walked towards the gym.

We walked farther inside until we spotted Vonna and Michael. They waved at us and I returned it.

"Do you want to sit with us or with your parents?" I asked.

"I wanna sit with you."

"Okay. You can sit with me."

We walked down a little more before heading up the stairs to where Hailey and the rest were sitting. I sat infront of them with Cassidy beside me and Skylar on the other side of me.

"What's up, Cole." Anthony said.

"Hey, Anthony." I said. "Hi, Sabrina."

"Okay let's make a bet." Levi said. "Who's gonna win, us or them?"

"Why would you bet against your own team?" Cassidy asked.

Levi shrugged. "Dunno. I heard the other team was pretty good."

"So are we." Hailey said. "We haven't lost one single game."

"Neither have the other team." Levi informed us. "So that's why I'm asking y'all who do y'all think is gonna win."

"I'm still picking our team." Hailey said.

"Same." I said.

"I'm with them." Cassidy said.

Levi rolled his eyes. "Of course y'all are. I'll be the different one and go for the other team."

"Are you seriously going to cheer for the Mustangs?" I asked.

"Sure why not?"

Hailey shook her head. "You're so dumb I swear."

"I'll help you cheer for them." Anthony said.

"You better not." Sabrina told him. "You came here to support Landon and Devon. Not the Mustangs."

"You tell him, girl." Cassidy said, grinning.

"Man, come on Anthony, let's go sit on the other side."

"Okay." Cassidy said, when they got up. "Y'all gonna look real stupid when y'all lose too."

"Nolan, you coming?" Anthony asked when they got to the bottom.

Cassidy glared at him. "I wish you would."

"Nah, man, I'm gonna stay here."

"You seriously gonna let Cassidy tell you want to do?" Levi asked.

"Levi if you're going to leave, leave." Hailey told him.

Jayce walked past them and came to sit with us. He picked Skylar up and sat her down on his lap.

"Where are they going?" He asked.

"To cheer for the other team." I informed him.

He frowned. "Why?"

"Cause they're stupid." Cass said.

"They bet against us. They believe Mustangs will win than us."

"Should've knew." Jayce replied.

Cassidy nudged me and motioned between Jayce and I, wondering what was going on with us.

"I'll tell you later." I told her.

"You better."

"Jay, how many points did you tell, Landon, to make tonight?" Skylar asked, looking at her older brother.

"I told him to make at least twelve if not more."

Skylar nodded head as she shoved her nachos into her mouth. Soon the players walked out and got ready to play. Landon and Devon did their little handshake before walking out onto the court with Andre following.

I glanced around the gym and my eyes landed on them. They were sitting on the right side of me, near the bottom. I didn't see them when I walked in so I assumed they came later than me.

I made a mental note to at least speak to them after the game ended. I told myself I wouldn't walk away like I did last time.

The game began and the other team got the ball first. Devon immediately got on the other point guard and watched him carefully, studying his moves.

Landon was standing slightly behind him for help, just in case. When the ball moved, so did everyone else.

Mustangs went up for a left hand lay up and the ball went in. Landon threw the ball in to Devon and Devon wasted no time as he headed for the basket. He pretended he was going to shoot the ball but instead he passed it to Landon who made a corner basket.

Before halftime, they were three time outs, two fouls and one three pointer. We were up by two points and suddenly I realized Levi might be right. Mustangs were really good but I was still going to root for our team.

I took Skylar to the bathroom and Cassidy came with us. I looked in the mirror and I felt her gaze on me, waiting for me to explain.

"We're good." I said.

"I'm gonna need a little bit more than that. When did y'all work things out?"

"At the hospital while I was waiting for you to show up."

She grinned. "So I'm the reason why y'all are friends again?"

"No..well yes and because I cut my hair."

She frowned. "Cause you cut your hair?"

"He asked about it and that's how we started talking."

"Well good. I'm glad y'all worked it out."

Skylar flushed and walked out the stall and I picked her up so she could wash her hands. We walked out the bathroom and hurried back to our seats because the game was about to start back up again.

The second half of the game began and we had the ball. Landon set up a play and ran it a few times before one of his post was open for a block shot.

"Get back!" Our team's coach yelled. "Now!"

The ball was sent flying through the air and Mustangs caught it before doing a quick lay up.

The seconds were ticking down fast and we were losing by two points. Our boys were tired but they played their hearts out with thirty seconds left.

"Press! Press them!" The coach shouted.

Twenty seconds to go.

Landon stole the ball and ran down the court. His eyes searching for anyone who was open.

Ten seconds left.

"He's open!" Hailey yelled. "Pass it to Devon!"

Landon passed the ball to Devon and Devon spun around, with his feet square to the basket.

Five seconds.

Devon jumped and released the ball. We all stood up as the ball sailed through the air, anticipating. Everyone watched the ball and it fell straight through the net with a loud, swish.

He made it.

We cheered, loudly.

"Yeah!"

Devon's teammate surrounded him, cheering wildly. It was like we were in the NBA rather than an eight grade basketball game.

"Bet they feel stupid now." Cassidy said, walking down the bleachers.

They lined up to shake hands before they were back in a huddled, doing their chant.

If they stayed together during high school, they would be an unstoppable team. They could go far next year. I knew for a fact Devon, Landon and Andre would be on JV, if not varsity. They were very good. They'll skip the freshman team.

We'll we waited for the boys to come out the locker room, I went to talk to Andre's family. Andre's grandmother saw me coming and she smiled.

"Hi." I said, standing in front of them.

"Hi, honey. How are you."

"I'm great. I just have a question to ask." I told her. "I'm related to y'all, aren't I?"

She nodded her head, tears in her eyes. "Yes, you are. Andre is your brother and these are your siblings as well."

I glanced down at the young little boy and girl and smiled.

"I kind of figure I was."

The young woman walked over to us and grinned at me.

"Hi. I'm Andre's mother, Erica."

She held out her hand and I shook it as I told her my name.

"Do you want to met your father?" Andre's grandmother, and my grandmother too, asked.

"Uh, I have to go actually. My friends are waiting for me."

She nodded her head. "Another time, then."

"Yeah. It was nice meeting y'all."

"You too, sweetheart."

I walked away and outside to where my group of friends were waiting. Mom would kill me if she knew I spoke to them. I would never see my phone again. I would have to met my sperm donor at a later time.

"Are they coming out the locker room yet?" Hailey asked.

"They should be." I told her.

"I don't understand why it takes them so long." Cassidy said.

"Well the coach is probably telling them how great they were and how it's gonna be next season. Most of them are going to high school next year." Nolan replied.

"You're kinda quiet over there, aren't you?" I said, looking at Levi.

He rolled his eyes. "Y'all won by one point."

"A wins a win." Hailey said. "Bet you'll listen to us next time."

I walked over to Jayce and he was smiling.

"What are you smiling about?"

"Oh you know? A picture."

I arched an eyebrow. "What picture?"

"The one you sent me senior year."

I narrowed my eyes at him. I knew exactly what picture he was talking about. It wasn't extremely embarrassing but he told me he deleted it.

I had on this yellow and white cap with devil's horns sticking out the top and across the top was the word dork. I send it to him to be funny. I didn't actually think he would save it.

"You said you deleted it." I said.

He rolled his blue eyes. "Of course I told you that so I could keep it. Obviously, idiot."

I put my hands on my hand. "Why would you do that? You're such a jerk."

"Hey!" He exclaimed. "I thought you said we weren't gonna call each other names anymore."

"You started it by calling me an idiot." I pointed out.

"All for a good reason."

"And what's that."

He grinned. "Cause we're back."

I rolled my eyes but I smiled too. We were back or at least heading in that direction.