“Hey Zeke.”

                I jumped and glared at Davey as he and Greg walked towards me. “I’m not in the mood Davey,” I growled dangerously.

                He chuckled. “Yea, I wouldn’t be either if I had just snapped Tommy’s ankle,” he said, smirking at me. I glared harder.

                “I didn’t mean to hurt him! We were both playing dirty!” I snapped, clenching my fists tightly. As if the guilt wasn’t killing me enough already. I hadn’t heard from Tommy, and it had been four hours since I had left his house.

                Why hadn’t Tommy just told me he was hurt? Instead that idiot decided to keep walking around and shooting with a hurt ankle.

                “How did you know about Tommy anyways?” I demanded.

                Davey’s smirk grew, and a smirk appeared on Greg’s face as well. “We were just talking to Mikey. Tommy got home about a half hour ago. What? The little faggot didn’t call you?”

                “He’s home? What did Mikey say about him?” I asked, my heart slamming. Was his ankle broken? His wrist?

                Davey snickered. “That’s for us to know. I guess Tommy didn’t want to tell you. Must be pretty bad. You know, Tommy was telling Juliet how mad at you he was. Saying you were just playing him to make Kory jealous.”

                I shoved by Davey. “I’m going to his house. I’m not believing your lies Davey. Tommy wouldn’t say that because he knows it’s not true!” I snapped.

                Davey laughed. “Is it a lie, Zeke? It made sense to me when Juliet told me. And it does seem to be true. You never take your eyes off of Kory when you’re around him, even when Tommy’s there. It’s not hard to tell, and Tommy’s not stupid,” he said simply.

                Not having a reply for that, I just hurried away, wanting to get to Tommy’s house and check on him. But Davey had my mind wandering now.

                Would Tommy say that? It wasn’t true, but what if Juliet and Davey had gotten to him and made him think that it was? Davey knew that Tommy was vulnerable when his emotions weren’t under control. Davey would feed him small lies that would fuel dangerous thoughts.

                Had Davey and Juliet gotten to Tommy before I had after we fought? Surely Tommy would’ve told me…right?

                I shook it out of my head as I reached Tommy’s house. I rang the doorbell and waited anxiously until Sammy opened the door.

                He bit his lip nervously. “Hey Zeke. You here to see Tommy?” he asked. I nodded and Sammy let me into the house. I took my shoes off and glanced at Sammy in fear.

                “How bad is he Sammy?” I asked quietly.

                Sammy shifted uncomfortably. “Just…come on. Come see him. He’s in a fight with our dad right now, but maybe you can calm him down.”

                He led me up to Tommy’s room. I could hear yelling coming from inside. Sammy opened the door and I watched as Tommy, lying in his bed, glared at Brady.

                “I’m trying out!” Tommy snapped furiously.

                “Tommy, you’re going to rest until you’re ankle’s better, and that’s that,” Brady said flatly. “And if you want to keep arguing with me, I will call your coach and tell him that you are not to try out.”

                Brady looked over and met my eyes. “Zeke. Hello,” he greeted with a nod.

                Tommy’s eyes met mine and he opened his mouth to say something, but Brady came over and pulled me and Sammy out of the room, shutting the door. Brady sighed and shook his head.

                “It’s the ankle he broke last year. The one he kept running on. He was on crutches for a while. The doctor said if he’s not careful, he’s going to break it again. He said that if Tommy had landed any other way when he fell at the soccer field, it would’ve snapped right there. Said he’s lucky Tommy didn’t break it when he fell down the stairs. He did bang his wrist up pretty good, but that’ll heal fairly quick, I suppose,” Brady said.

                Brady looked at me, a pleading in his eyes. “Zeke, please. He won’t listen to me. He never listens to anyone. But maybe he’ll listen to you. You need to convince Tommy to just rest his ankle. He most likely won’t be able to try out for the team this year, but he definitely won’t be able to if he tries to run around on his ankle too soon,” he said.

                He placed a hand on Sammy’s shoulder and bit his lip. “I want to see Tommy play. I really thought he could make the team. But if he tries to run around and get active before try outs, it definitely won’t happen,” he said silently.

                “But dad, why can’t they just kick Davey off the team? It’s not fair to kick Tommy off the team just because he’s younger!” Sammy said angrily and I nodded in agreement with him.

                Brady sighed. “They can’t kick Davey Harrison off that team because Davey’s older and Davey’s father has a lot of money. Mr. Harrison could make your coach lose his job, and your coach knows it kids.  It’s all about the money and the influence. It sucks, but it’s life,” he said. “Tommy could’ve easily replaced that Greg kid though.”

                “I’m going to go check on Tommy,” I mumbled. Brady nodded. He offered me a weak smile.

                “Hey, lighten up Zeke. Tommy will listen to you. He’s a stubborn bastard, but I’m positive you can get through his thick head,” he said.

                I nodded and went into Tommy’s room, shutting the door after myself. Tommy didn’t even look up at me as he stared down at a book he was reading.

                “Hi Tommy,” I greeted quieted.

                “Ayo,” he mumbled, turning the page in his book, still not looking up at me.

                “Tommy, I’m so sorry I hurt you. This is all my fault,” I whispered, my voice cracking.

                Tommy motioned me over, his eyes still on his book. I slowly walked over to him and he pat his bed. I sat down and Tommy shut his book and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me down next to him. I looked at his wrist miserably. It was wrapped thickly in gauze.

                “My ankle and wrist aren’t broken. Just hurt. It’s not your fault Zeke. I was playing rough, and you gave it back to me. I deserved that, and I expected it. Accidents happen,” he mumbled and kissed my neck.

                “You’re not mad at me?” I asked quietly. Tommy shook his head and gently pressed his lips to mine. He pulled away and rested his head on my chest. I wrapped my arms around him and held him close to my body.

                “I’m going to try out for the team. I’m not letting Kory take my place,” Tommy said after a few minutes of silence.

                “Tommy…please…I don’t want to see you break your ankle again,” I said weakly.

                “It’s not his team, Zeke. It’s ours. I’m going to try out and I’m going to make it,” Tommy said simply, confidence lacing his voice.

                “You’re so cocky. I love it,” I said with a laugh, kissing him.

                “Speaking of cock…” He winked at me and I blushed.

                Tommy kissed my cheek. “Would you do that Zeke? When you get lost in the moment, I can tell you will. But at times like these, I doubt it sometimes,” he said, watching me carefully.

                “When you’re ready Tommy, so am I,” I said, bringing my lips to his.

                I pulled him against my body as he bit my bottom lip, nibbling on it playfully. I let his tongue into my mouth and massaged it with my own.

                Tommy broke away after a little of that and stroked my face gently. “Zeke, I want you to promise me something,” he said quietly.

                “What?” I asked, kissing him and gently rubbing his back as I continued to hold him to me.

                “I want you to promise me that if you love Kory more than me, that if you ever doubt our relationship, you’ll breakup with me,” he said, not meeting my eyes.

                “That won’t happen Tommy. It’s you baby,” I promised him, kissing him deeply.

                He shoved me away and shook his head. “I mean it Zeke. Breakup with me if you want Kory more. I don’t want to feel second best to Kory,” he said flatly.

                “You’re not second best to Kory, Tommy,” I said honestly. “I’m falling so hard for you. I want to be with you. I love everything about you. I love being with you. You make me so happy.” I kissed him.

                I looked into Tommy’s eyes and frowned deeply to myself. A sudden, random thought had flashed through my head. A thought I didn’t like one bit.

                What if Davey hurt Tommy? It wouldn’t take much to break Tommy’s ankle. All he had to do was fall wrong. Davey could easily push him down, or kick him during try outs. He could really ruin Tommy’s chances of making the team.

                I pushed those thoughts out of my head. No, even Davey wasn’t that mean of a person. Was he? No, no, no. He wouldn’t do that to Tommy. That would just be cruel.

                Tommy let out a yawn and placed his head back on my chest. I ran a hand through his hair and kissed his forehead.

                As he started to drift off to sleep, I realized that he did look really young. He looked about 12 or 13 years old. So peaceful and innocent.

                “Zeke, I love you,” Tommy mumbled and began to snore softly.

                I froze and stared at him in shock and fear. He…He said he loved me. Thomas Warren actually said he loved me. And I didn’t love him back.