***Zeke’s POV***

                I sighed as I stared up at my ceiling. Tommy hadn’t talked to me in two days. He was still mad that I had agreed with Coach about him not trying out.

                I also had a feeling he was mad that I had hung out with Kory and Trace that night. I had slept over their house, sharing a bed with the two of them. But I had done that before! It’s not like I was sexually sleeping with either of them. I was just…well, sleeping with them.

                My phone buzzed and I instantly sat up and snatched it off my dresser. I flipped it open eagerly and my shoulders slumped in disappointment. It was just Mikey.

                From: Mikey

                Come to my house now. Tommy’s really hurt!

                My heart stopped. My eyes widened and my heart picked up speed, slamming against my ribcage in panic as I jumped out of my bed and scrambled to get my shoes on and grab my car keys. I shot downstairs and raced out into my car.

                I pulled out of the driveway and speed down the street. I pulled into the Warren’s driveway and jumped out of the car. I rushed to the front door and slammed my fist on it.

                Mikey pulled the door open and I stumbled into the house. “Where is? Where’s Tommy? What’s wrong with him?” I demanded.

                Mikey raised an eyebrow. “Calm down Zeke. I lied. Tommy’s fine. He and Sammy are at a dentist appointment right now,” he said with a shrug.

                His words sank in and I stared at him in confusion. My hands shot out and gripped his shirt tightly as I glared at him.

                “WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU FREAK ME OUT LIKE THAT? I THOUGHT YOUR BROTHER WAS HURT!” I shouted angrily.

                Mikey calmly pulled my hands off and fixed his shirt. “I needed to get you here fast, and I know how lazy you are. Sorry. Had to be done. But I didn’t invite you here to screw around Zeke,” he said seriously.

                “Well, what did you need?” I asked, slipping my shoes off and following him into the living room. We sat down together and Mikey sighed.

                “It’s Tommy. I’m really worried about him Zeke. He’s been acting…strange. Ever since we left Coach’s house, he’s been really quiet. And when we try to talk to him, he just gets really pissy. Tommy’s always been quiet, but never that quiet. And you know him. He’s almost always relaxed and casual. He rarely gets that angry and pissed off. What happened between you two?”

                I listened to him silently and bit my lip. “That’s a good question Mikey. I don’t know what happened between us. He’s mad because I agreed with Coach, I think,” I said.

                “That’s all?” Mikey asked, somewhat suspiciously.

                I thought back hard, trying to remember if I had done anything else that would’ve made him mad. “I mean, I stayed over Trace and Kory’s house that night, but that’s all I can think of that might’ve pissed Tommy off,” I said honestly.

                Mikey frowned deeply and ran a hand through his hair. “I’ve never seen him this upset before, Zeke. Tommy never gets like this. My mom’s scared for him. Even my dad is starting to get nervous. Tommy’s barely eating, too. He rarely comes out of his room.”

                “That much of a behavior change in the past two days?” I asked in shock. Mikey nodded sadly.

                “I know I’m mean to him a lot. I know I pick on him all the time. But Tommy’s my little brother, and I’m worried about him,” he said quietly.

                I nodded in understanding and stood up. “I’m going to hide in his room. I’ll force him to talk to me and tell me what’s wrong if I have to,” I said, determination coloring my voice.

                Mikey shot me a grateful look and nodded. I moved upstairs and into Tommy’s room. I shut the door softly and looked around, trying to find someplace to hide that he wouldn’t notice me right away.

                Shrugging to myself, I hid behind his dresser, reminding myself not to move this time. If I moved, Tommy would spot me, and probably storm out of his house. Tommy was unpredictable enough when he wasn’t angry. When he was angry? Well, there was no possible way to know what that kid would do next, or where he would go.

                I pulled out my phone and entertained myself for a little before I heard the front door open and shut. I shoved my phone in my pocket and held completely still as I heard someone making their way up the stairs.

                “Thomas!” I heard Mrs. Warren calling, sounding upset.

                Tommy’s bedroom door opened and slammed, shaking the house a little. I squeezed my eyes shut tightly, praying that his lamp wouldn’t fall on me and crack my head open or something.

                I slowly opened my eyes and forced myself not to peek to see what Tommy was doing. I could hear him shuffling around his room.

                “Fuck!” he snapped as I heard something hit the floor.

                There was a loud sound as Tommy whipped something at his wall. I bit my lip tightly. I had never seen- well, heard – Tommy this angry before. What in the hell was wrong with him?

                “Thomas James Warren! What are you doing in there?” Mrs. Warren’s voice demanded angrily from outside his room. Tommy stayed silent.

                I chanced a peek and saw Tommy giving a death stare towards his bedroom door. I shifted and stood up. Tommy spun around and his eyes widened in surprise, quickly narrowing in pure fury.

                “What are you doing in my room?” he hissed.

                “Tommy, calm down. I just wanted to know what was wrong with you,” I said gently.

                “Get out of my room!” he growled, pointing at his door.

                “Tom-”

                “GET OUT!”

                His voice was so full of hate, fury, and pain that I winced and shrank away from him. He was glaring at me, his eyes trying to hide the pain that I had heard in his voice.

                “Tommy what’s wrong?” I asked in alarm. Mikey was right. I had never seen Tommy like this. Not in all the years I had known him. He never lost his cool this badly.

                “What’s wrong is that you’re still in my room! Now GET. OUT.” He grabbed me and shoved me roughly at his bedroom door.

                I stumbled forwards and caught myself. I shot a desperate look at Tommy, wanting to know what was wrong with him. Wanting to help him through it. Wanting to hold him and kiss him and just make him feel better.

                “Is that really what you want Tommy?” I asked quietly.

                “What I want is for you to get the fuck out of my room,” he snarled. “I want everyone to just leave me the fuck alone.”

                “I’m always here for you if you need me or change your mind Tommy. I love you,” I said, still quiet. I let myself out of his room, nearly running into his mom. Tommy slammed the door and I heard it lock.

                “What’s wrong with him?” Mrs. Warren, Sally, asked, sounding almost desperate. “Did he tell you what’s wrong?”

                I shook my head sadly. “I don’t know what’s wrong with him Sally. I think it’d be best to just let him calm down,” I said gently.

                Sally frowned deeply, her eyes bright with concern. “He’s not eating. He hasn’t eaten at all today, and he barely ate yesterday. He won’t even talk to his father or either of his brothers. Now he’s not talking to you either. Zeke, I’m worried about him,” she whispered.

                “I’m sure he’ll be okay,” I said, offering a smile despite how unsure I felt. Something was seriously wrong with Tommy.

                I left their house and made my way to the soccer field. I couldn’t get thoughts of Tommy out of my head. I had never seen him like that before. Tommy had always had a good grip on his anger. He would let it out during soccer games if he had to.

                I jogged around the field to warm myself up and also to clear my thoughts. Running usually made me feel a little better.

                But this time, it didn’t. I couldn’t shake the worry for Tommy. He wasn’t eating, he was hurt, and something had deeply upset him. He was closing himself off from everybody. He was starving himself. He was cutting himself off from me.

                A terrifying thought rose in my mind. Was he angry enough to break up with me? To end everything for good? He had sure as hell seemed it today.

                I shot at the goal and the ball soared over. I sighed in annoyance as I jogged to retrieve it. “Toe down, hit with the laces,” I grumbled to myself as I began to dribble back towards the top of the 18 to shoot again.

                “Hey Zeke! Didn’t Coach always say to shoot toe down?”

                I glared at Davey as he, Greg, and Phil made their way over towards me, soccer balls tucked under their arms. Davey smirked.

                And suddenly, I just knew.

                “What did you do to Tommy?” I demanded, my voice even scaring me.

                Davey smirked. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said smugly. His eyes challenged me to fight him.

                “If I kick your ass, I’ll get in trouble with Coach. I’m not stupid, Davey. Now tell what you did to Tommy!” I roared furiously. He was the reason Tommy was so upset. He had said or done something to Tommy after we left Coach’s house. I was sure of that.

                Davey shrugged and grinned. “I didn’t do anything to Tommy,” he said, his grin getting even wider. He shrugged again.

                “I’m going to find out what you did to Tommy, and then I’m going to make you pay for it,” I threatened dangerously. I turned and stormed away before I did something I regretted. I would find out what the hell that asshole had done to my boyfriend, and I would do it before Tommy completely cut me out of his life.