Zeke rang the doorbell and we waited. The door opened and Coach glanced at us. He smiled widely and let us into his house.

                “Thank god I get some help around here!” he said, leading us to the kitchen.

                The smell of pasta and meatballs was potent and Zeke and I grinned. Coach and his wife made the best food. His wife, Lali, was currently at work making meatballs. She smiled at us warmly and we waved at her.

                I staggered a bit and Zeke’s hand shot out to catch me before I fell. He gave me a worried look and wrapped an arm around my waist to hold me steady.

                Lali opened her mouth to ask me if I was alright, but I shot a pleading look at her. She got the message that I didn’t want Coach to know, and nervously turned back to the meatballs.

                Coach spun around and smiled. He gave us a curious look, eyeing Zeke’s arm wrapped protectively around my waist.

                “Boyfriends,” we said at the same time.

                Coach raised an eyebrow. “Wow. I had no idea you boys were gay. Not that that’s a problem!” he said and laughed nervously.

                We both shrugged and gave him easy grins. “Just don’t be surprised. Trace is gay, and his boyfriend will probably try out,” Zeke explained. I kept my expression the same, though that jealousy stabbed at me.

                Coach let out a whistle. “Wow. So this is what happens while I’m away? Hope none of the other bastards have been giving any of you trouble,” he said with a deep frown.

                “Davey,” Zeke growled and I elbowed him, shooting him a look.

                “No. Davey’s not a problem. Now give us the silverware and we’ll set up the table,” I growled in annoyance.

                “I’ll have a talk with everyone tonight. You know where the silverware is,” Coach said with a wink.

                Zeke helped me over to the silverware. I tried to walk casually, but a slight limp still took hold of me and I just prayed that Coach wouldn’t notice it.

                Luckily, he didn’t. Zeke and I talked to him for a while as we helped him prepare the food and set up the large table for the rest of the team.

                One by one, the team members began to show up and sit down, talking eagerly about how excited they were for the season. Zeke and I stayed together, talking with some of the players.

                “Hey little brother,” Sammy greeted.

                “You’re still standing. Zeke didn’t completely tear your ass apart,” Mikey said with a grin.

                “Mikey, everyone knows who’s the bitch in this relationship,” I said simply. Zeke blushed and punched me playfully as the others laughed at him.

                I stiffened a little as I watched Trace walk in, guiding Kory. They went over to Coach and Trace introduced Kory. I instantly grabbed Zeke’s hand. He smiled at me, leaning over and kissing me lovingly.

                Kory and Trace came over to us. Zeke squeezed my hand and I kept my usual expression as I nodded my greeting at them.

                “Ayo,” I said.

                “Tommy! You and your cool eyes!” Kory said in excitement. He frowned. “I wish I had cool eyes.”

                “You do,” Zeke said with a smile. He blushed and looked away quickly, avoiding my eyes. I mentally sighed. Still had feelings for Kory. Fan-fucking-tastic.

                “Let’s go over there Kory. I’ll introduce you to them,” Trace said, shooting Zeke a warning look before dragging Kory away. Thank god for Trace being a jealous boyfriend. It made my life a hell of a lot easier.

                “Hey, there’s Phil,” I said to Zeke, nudging him and nodding.

                “Phil!” Zeke called.

                Phil turned to us and curiously made his way over. “Hey Tommy. How’s your ankle?” he asked, giving Zeke a nervous glance.

                “Sh. Don’t let coach know,” I warned. “Anyways, what gave you the idea that Zeke hurt me?”

                Phil shifted uncomfortably. “Uh…Davey and Greg said that…” His voice trailed off and he stared at his feet, a blush creeping into his face.

                “Of course,” Zeke snarled furiously. “Why can’t those fuckers just leave us alone? I’m so damn sick of them!”

                “Hey, calm down Zeke. I haven’t even seen them here yet. Maybe they won’t show up,” I said with a shrug, knowing full well that they would show up. But maybe Zeke could calm down before they got here. I didn’t want him to get in a fight and get himself in trouble.

                “If they keep giving us problems, I’m going to kill them Tommy,” Zeke grumbled, glaring at nothing specific. I squeezed his hand and kissed his cheek.

                “Calm down,” I breathed in his ear. He shuddered and wrapped an arm around my waist protectively, kissing my forehead.

                We headed to Coach’s basement and Zeke calmed down quickly as we played foosball with some of the other soccer players. We laughed and drank soda, talking and playing. We played darts and cards as well.

                Finally, Coach called everyone up to come eat. We migrated upstairs and sat down at the table together. Zeke took my hand as Trace and Kory sat across from us.

                Coach stood up at the head of the table and grinned at us. He gave his usual speech about how good the past season was, what we would work on this year, good luck to everyone trying out, blah, blah, blah.

                “Also, I will tolerate absolutely no bullying on this team. If I find any bullying, even a trace of it, you’ll be kicked off the team,” he said flatly, eye scanning each of our faces.

                “Yea Trace!” someone called, earning a small laugh from everyone.

                “Blow me!” Trace called back.

                Coach smiled lightly. “Easy boys. Now let’s eat up, because my wife and I worked very hard on this delicious food in front of you,” he said, sitting back down and beginning to pass bowls of various foods around.

                “Tommy, are you trying out?” Trace asked.

                I shot him a warning look and nodded. “Of course I’m trying out,” I said flatly. “And I’m going to make it, too.”

                “You’re so stuck up Tommy,” Zeke said and laughed, wrapping an arm around my waist and drawing me closer to himself. He kissed me lovingly before taking a sip of his soda.

                My eyes rested on Davey and Greg, who were sitting nearby talking. Zeke must not have noticed them yet, because all hell hadn’t broken loose yet.

                I began to eat and just hoped that this night could be a fun one. I liked being with everyone and I just wanted this to be a carefree night.

                “Hey Tommy!”

                I mentally sighed as I turned to face Davey and Greg. The room started to quiet a little as everyone watched us curiously. Ah shit. This wasn’t going to end well.

                “Yes Davey?” I asked in annoyance, raising an eyebrow at him.

                And then I knew what he was going to do, and panic shot through me. I knew what he was going to say even before he spoke.

                “How’s your ankle? Are you still limping?” Davey asked with false concern in his voice. He had a smug look in his eyes as Coach’s eyes shot to my face.

                “Your ankle was hurt Tommy?” he asked suspiciously.

                I shook my head. “I’m fine,” I said with a shrug. “We were practicing, Zeke fell on me on accident, and I’m fine now.”

                “Walk to the other end of the room and back,” Coach said, his eyes serious. He wasn’t playing around anymore.

                I sighed in annoyance as I stood up. Zeke shot me a concerned look, which I ignored. I could make it to the other end of the room and back.

                I limped lightly as I began to walk. Coach would notice that, but I had limped before. Hell, I was Tommy Warren. I had played on a broken ankle before. I wasn’t some weakling. I could handle myself, and I had a high pain tolerance.

                But, of course, my ankle had to give out when I was walking back towards my chair. I staggered and Zeke shot up and moved towards me. I hit the ground before he managed to get to me, and grinded my teeth together, my ankle throbbing.

                “I can play,” I snapped, glaring at Davey. “I just need to rest it for a day.”

                “Tommy, it’s the ankle you broke, isn’t it?” Coach asked quietly. Zeke helped me up and I reluctantly nodded. The rest of the team was watching in anxious silence, a smug look on Davey’s face.

                Coach sighed. “Tommy, I don’t think you should play this season. Play indoor if your ankle is better, okay?” he said gently.

                “Shut up. I’m trying out and I’m going to make it,” I said coldly.

                “Tommy, he’s right. You’re hurt,” Zeke said with a deep frown.

                I shoved Zeke off of me roughly. “Shut the fuck up Zeke,” I growled and limped back over to my chair. Zeke sat next to me, hurt in his eyes. I ignored it.

                I turned and began to talk to the kid next to me, whose name was Torino. I could feel Zeke’s eyes on me and heard him let out a small sigh. He turned and began to talk to Kory.

                I glanced at him out of the corner of my eyes. He had a small, cute smile on his blushing face as he said something to Kory. I clenched my fists tightly under the table. I had to find some way to find out if Zeke was really loyal to me, or if he would snap back to Kory.  

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A.N.- This chapter sucks and quite frankly, I don't give a fuck. I don't know if I'll be updating a lot. I have a lot going on right now.