This story contains homosexual themes. If you are offended by such topics or you are not of legal age to read such stories, please read no further. All the characters in the story are fictitious, with the exception of one new character that was introduced in the last chapter. I have NO idea of his sexual preference and I'm implying NOTHING. Its just a story.
I sincerely apologize for taking so long to post these chapters. I could come up with 101 excuses, but honestly, I just got BUSY. Thanks for sticking with me!
Comments are welcome at ghostwriter@si.rr.com
Chapter 34
Coach Jackson casually draped his arm over Jerric's shoulder as his star player headed towards the locker room.
"I need to see you in my office when you're done showering."
Jerric was immediately on the defensive. "Why?" he asked, wondering to himself what he had done now.
His coach smiled slightly. "I have some things I think we need to discuss. He ruffled Jerric's sweaty hair. "Just because I want to talk to you doesn't mean it's gonna be a lecture. Relax."
Jerric nodded. "Okay, give me ten minutes."
Still sweaty, even after his shower, Jerric sauntered into the coach's office.
Coach Jackson never looked up from the stack of scouting reports he was reviewing on next week's opponents. "Shut the door please."
Jerric obliged and sat down in the chair in front of Jackson's desk.
Jackson's raised his head and his eyes met Jerric's. Whatever he had to say, Jerric could tell this was NOT going to be a casual conversation.
Jackson took a deep breath before starting. "Look Jerric we've always been pretty straight with each other, so I'm not going to beat around the bush. I need to know about your relationship with Hunter."
"Fuck you!" Jerric yelled as he headed for the door. "You know God damn well that's none of you're business. You don't ask any of the other guys this shit."
"Yeah, well none of the other guys are involved with another player. Now sit back down, loose the attitude and answer the question. I'm not thrilled about having this conversation either, but its necessary."
"Why the fuck is it necessary? What I do off the court is my business, not yours."
"It becomes my business when I'm planning on moving Hunter to the starting line-up. I need to be assured that what happens off the court doesn't have a negative impact on what goes on during a game."
A huge smile covered Jerric's face. "You're gonna start Hunter?"
"Well, I'm considering it, but to be honest I have some reservations. Now, if we could continue this discussion like two mature adults, I'd like to get some input that's gonna help clear things up. Think we can do that?"
Jerric nodded and sat back down. "Okay, what do you want to know?"
"How serious is it?"
Jerric could feel his face blush, catching him off guard.
"It's pretty serious" he said softly. "To be honest, I'm in love with him."
Coach Jackson hadn't expected this. Jerric Donovan's reputation was well known to him. He was a playboy who enjoyed the limelight and the attention of a wide variety of men on campus.
He now seriously regretted his decision to have Hunter room with him. Initially, it seemed perfect. Hunter was an excellent student and from everything he'd heard from his high school coach, his maturity would be a positive influence on the headstrong Donovan. As much as he truly liked Jerric he could see the writing on the wall. How long could Jerric really be in a relationship and how damaging would it be when his wild ways returned?
Coach Jackson finally spoke. "To be honest, that's not what I was hoping to hear, but I appreciate you telling me."
Jerric could read Coach Jackson well and today was no exception. "So what's the problem? I thought you'd be happy to see a more 'sedate" Jerric Donovan."
"Jerric I can't have 2 players that are involved with each other both starting. It's a time bomb just waiting to go off. If something should happen between you two, it's obviously going to affect your ability to play together. I can't have that. It's not fair to the other players."
Jerric was back on his feet. "Are you fucking telling me that you aren't going to start Hunter because of me?"
It was a painful decision, but it was the right one. "Yes, I'm afraid so. I'm sorry Jerric, but I have to do what's best for the team. I really have no choice here."
He looked at Jerric and could see all the fury in his eyes. "You'll regret this, coach. Trust me!"
The door slammed behind him, before Coach Jackson could respond.
Chapter 35
"Okay, gentlemen we have our work cut out for us this week" coach Jackson announce. "I'm assuming you guys all reviewed the scouting reports and have figured out these guys have on of the best defenses we'll face this year."
His eyes scanned the faces before him and noted immediately a void.
"Where's Donovan?" he asked, annoyed that the all-american was evidently tardy.
"He's with the trainer" one of the player's offered as an explanation.
Jackson could feel his blood pressure rising. 'Just great!' he thought. 'How the hell did Donovan get hurt and how bad is it?'
"Eric, why don't you handle the warm-ups. I'm gonna see how long Jerric will be."
Hunter was as perplexed as Coach Jackson. Jerric's mood last night had been sullen. He had gone to bed early, kissing Hunter quickly on the forehead and falling asleep almost immediately. This morning had been no better. Jerric had said little before heading out to class and although Jerric could never be described as a 'morning person' today was certainly out of the ordinary.
As Coach Jackson entered the training room he saw Jerric laying on his stomach with a heat pack resting on his lower back and the trainer filling a syringe, undoubtedly with some type of pain killer. Evidently Jerric's injury was serious. He gently massaged Jerric's shoulder as he watched the needle penetrate the small of Jerric's back.
Jerric winced slightly and clenched his fist at the needle's sting and the medication's burning sensation as it entered his lower back. He hadn't really planned on this, but in order for his plan to work, he'd do whatever was necessary.
Coach Jackson pulled the trainer to one side obviously concerned. "How bad is it?"
"I wish I could tell you coach. Jerric's saying he's in a lot of pain, but I really can't find anything wrong. Usually if there is a pulled muscle there will be some swelling and tightness in that area, but I'm not seeing it. The problem is I know Jerric, he would never admit to anything unless it was serious. You know how he is. He's played hurt lots of times and usually it's me telling him to ease off, but its not like that this time. He's saying he can't play."
"Let me talk to him alone for a few minutes" coach Jackson suggested, somewhat suspicious of the entire scenario.
As the trainer left the room, Jackson pulled a stool next to the table Jerric was laying on and sat down.
"What's up Jerric?"
"I'm not sure coach. I was fine yesterday, but last night I just started getting this pain in my lower back. It got worse and worse as the night went on. I know how important this game is, but I just don't think I'll be able to play."
Jerric lifted his head slightly off the table and stared directly into Coach Jackson's eyes. "I don't want to be on the court if I'm not an asset." Then he sarcastically echoed Coach Jackson's own words, adding the final blow. "I have to do what I think is best for the team. I really have no choice."
"Don't fuck with me Donovan! This isn't gonna work."
Jerric smiled wryly. "I have no idea what you're talking about coach."
"Bullshit!" Jackson screamed. "You know exactly what I'm talking about. You think you're gonna play hardball with me. You think you're gonna fake this injury and force me into letting Hunter start."
"No" Jerric replied calmly. "I'm gonna fake this injury until you come to your senses and realize that starting Hunter is in the best interest of the team. You're basing your decision on the fact that you don't think I can keep my dick in my pants. Well, you're wrong. Dead wrong."
"I can't take that chance Jerric!"
"You have no choice. Not if you want to win."
Jerric set down the rules "I won't play until you give Hunter a chance. If he screws up, fine, then I've got no problem with him not starting, but to keep him on the bench because you think he's some fragile 16 year old that can't separate his personal life from what happens on the court isn't fair."
"Life isn't fair Jerric!"
Jerric nodded and smiled slightly. "You're right coach, its not. And you're about to find that out."
Chapter 36
Hunter had no time to talk to Jerric during practice. While the rest of the team was doing drills, Jerric was at one end of the court watching them practice as he kept a hot pack taped to his back.
Hunter was irritated, confused and distracted. His eyes spent more time focused on the clock, watching the minutes tick away than they did on the court, and his play reflected his lack of attention. Finally, Jerric had seen enough.
"Hunter!" Jerric yelled as the team took a short water break. He motioned for Hunter to join him, knowing this was not going to be a pleasant encounter.
"What the fuck is up with you?" he demanded.
Hunter was shocked. "Me? Don't you think I should be asking that question? You haven't said two words to me since we got back from New York. I was right wasn't I?
"Right about what?"
"I told you I couldn't compete with Adam. The New York trip was a mistake. We're a mistake!"
Jerric was furious. "Are you out of your fucking mind? This has NOTHING to do with Adam or anybody else. I love you. I told you that and I meant it. I know I haven't been myself the past couple of days, but we'll talk about that when we get back to the dorm."
He glanced back at the clock. "You got 45 minutes left in this practice and you better show Coach Jackson what you've got. What happens between us stays between us. Don't you EVER loose you concentration over personal shit. You got that?"
Hunter nodded slowly saying nothing, but Jerric could see the hurt in his eyes. "We're okay Hunter. I promise."
Hunter trotted back on the court as Coach Jackson approached Jerric. "I was right and this practice proved it."
"This didn't prove shit! The kid was having a bad day, that's all. He'll be fine. He just needed a little pep talk."
Coach Jackson moved the conversation in another direction. "I got a call from the Dean during the break. Seems the news of you back injury traveled pretty quick."
Jerric chuckled. "I'm the Dean's favorite, what can I say?"
"He wants to know what your status is for this week's game?"
Jerric shook his head. "Now that's just like the Dean isn't it? I notice he didn't ask how I was, just if I was gonna be able to play this week."
Jackson nodded. "Jerric, the Dean has never been known for his compassion, only his desire to win."
"So what did you tell him?"
"I was honest. I told him I wasn't sure, but that I knew you were a competitor and you're first consideration would be what's best for the team. Was I right in telling him that? Do you really think starting Hunter is best for the team and not just you want for Hunter?"
"Coach, you know what basketball means to me and I think you know how much this team means to me. Winning is everything. It's my future, a future I hope to share with Hunter. I'm not about to put that at risk. If I didn't think Hunter was the man for the job I'd never have pushed things like I did."
He looked directly into Jackson's eyes hoping the coach would pick up on his sincerity.
"Look Hunter doesn't even want to play pro ball, so I have no ulterior motives for wanting him to start. It's strictly strategy. He's the smartest player we've got. If anyone can run the offense, well besides me of course, and I'm too damn tall to be a point guard, then Hunter is it."
"God damn it Donovan, I hope I survive long enough to see you graduate. I've been in coaching almost 20 years and I've never had a more talented or more difficult player. I have an ulcer the size of Detroit because of you."
Jerric grinned widely and quickly removed the tape holding the hot pack in place. "You know coach, I think that heat did the trick." He grabbed the basketball from the coach's hands and headed onto the court to join the other players. "I'm feeling much better now."
Coach Jackson shook his head and mumbled "I'm sure you are Donovan."
To Be Continued.....