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 (so far) are fictitious, any resemblance to actual individuals are purely coincidental.
Chapter 22
"Jesus Jerric, is there any chance you can wipe that grin off of you face?" Jeff teased as he reached for another slice of pizza.
"What are you talking about?"
Jeff looked around to see if Hunter was still at the counter getting another pitcher of beer.
"I'm talking about the fact that you haven't stopped smiling since you walked in here. That boy must have some hands."
"Jeff, you wouldn't believe it. It was fucking awesome."
"My god Jerric, do you have any idea how many times I've heard you say that?
They're all awesome to you. Hell, you think your right hand is awesome as long as it gets you off."
Jerric was not amused. "Do you try to be a dick, or does it just comes naturally?"
"Oh, it was inherited, but being a perfectionist I work hard to keep my skills to an acceptable level."
Jeff was looking over Jerric's shoulder and noticed a familiar figure entering the front door.
"Oh shit! This should be interesting."
Jerric turned around and echoed Jeff's sentiments as Adam strolled casually over to their table.
He slid in the booth next to Jerric. "Well now, imagine running it to you here. It's been a long time Jerric."
"Not long enough" Jerric mumbled. "Look, Adam I'm here with someone. Now's not a good time."
"Ah, are you still fucking that cute little cowboy?" Adam asked sarcastically.
Jerric shook his head. "You have no class what so ever Adam. I have no idea what I ever saw in you."
Adam grinned widely. "Probably this" he said roughly grabbing his crotch.
Before either of them could respond, the waitress approached their table.
"Excuse me guys, which one of you is Adam Wise?"
"I am, why?"
The waitress smiled. "Well, it seems my friend at the bar wants to buy you a beer."
"And who would that be?" Adam asked, hoping it was male and good looking.
"Right there on the end," the waitress informed him, "the cutie in the blue shirt."
Adam looked over and was shocked to see Hunter seated at the end of the bar smiling in his direction.
"Well, it seems your new boyfriend has wandering eyes" Adam boasted.
"I think you may be wrong Adam," the petite waitress said correcting him.
She leaned over and poured the entire contents of the 20 oz. glass on Adam's head.
"Oh, and by the way," she added, "refills are free."
Adam was furious and glared harshly at Hunter as he stormed out of the restaurant.
Hunter joined Jeff and Jerric at the table amid their howls of laughter.
"What's up? Adam couldn't stay?" he asked innocently.
"That was priceless Hunter, absolutely priceless," Jeff commented with tears of laugher streaming down his face. "You should have seen him. He was so proud of himself when he thought you were actually gonna buy him a beer."
Turning to the waitress he added, "and you my dear were fantastic."
She curtsied coyly. "Why, thank you, but actually it was my pleasure. I owed Hunter a favor and pouring beer on an unsuspecting Adam Wise basically made my day."
"So you guys know each other?" Jerric asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Relax Jerric. Hunter and I have several pre-law classes together." She leaned over and whispered in his ear. "I really don't think I'm his type. You got nothing to worry about."
"I'm sorry, I guess I should introduce you guys. Krista Jennings, this is my friend Jeff Judson."
Then turned to Jerric, "and umm this is my boyfriend Jerric Donavan."
"Nice to meet both of you, but I must tell you I've heard plenty about you Mr. Donovan." Hunter talks about you constantly.
Hunter blushed. "Krista!"
"Well you do, and I'd love to stay and chat, but I really have to get back to work. I'll see in class tomorrow Hunter."
She turned to Jeff. "It was nice to meet you. Hope to see you again."
He smiled widely. "Oh, you can count on it."
Chapter 23
Hunter was nervously wringing his hands as he sat listening intently to Coach Jackson's pre-game talk.
"Look you guys, I know you've seen their stats and obviously they are not the strongest competition that we'll face this year, but remember these are the teams that are the most dangerous. They have nothing to loose and everything to gain by beating a team like us. Don't let you're guard down. Hopefully today we'll have a chance to play some of the non-starters and let them get some experience in an actual game. As you know, down the road the strength of our bench could be invaluable. Any questions?"
Jerric spoke almost immediately. "If we win by more than 20 can we have Monday off?"
Jackson shook his head. "Planning on running up the score Mr. Donovan?"
"Sure, if I can."
The rest of the team snickered, knowing all too well that if Jerric wanted to beat this team by 30 points, he could easily do it.
"I want to see good, solid team play. If I see that out there today, and we win, then you guys can have Monday off. Is that a deal?"
Naturally, the entire team was in agreement.
By half time, it appeared that Monday would be a day off. Duke was up by 15 points even with the starting line up spending more time than usual on the bench. Jerric had scored 22 points and 8 assists in the first half sending a clear message to anyone watching that again this year he would be every opponent's nightmare.
Hunter watched in amazement. He had seen Jerric play several times on TV last year, but it wasn't until today that he could actually see the intensity with which he played. He was definitely the leader on the court, offering not only instruction to the other players, but words of encouragement and congratulations.
By midway through the fourth quarter, the other team was becoming frustrated, knowing that only a small miracle could erase the 22 point lead held by Duke, and the game was becoming much more physical. Jerric of course was the target of most of their frustration.
With four minutes left in the game, Jerric was driving towards the basket when a blatant elbow collided with his ribs. Jerric waited for the whistle to blow, but it never came. Immediately he voiced his complaint to the officials.
"You gonna let him get away with that shit?" Jerric complained.
"I didn't let him get away with anything Donovan. It was a legal play."
Jerric wasn't about to let it go. "Bullshit, since when is throwing an elbow a legal play?"
"Enough Donovan!"
"Just let us know now if you're gonna call them like that all year. You know how we love consistency."
The whistle blew loudly and the referee stormed over the scorer's table. "That's a technical foul on number 22, Donovan."
Immediately Jackson was on his feet. "Paxson, you're in for Jerric."
"What?"
"You heard me! Check in with the scorer's and let see what you got."
Hunter quickly made his way over to the table. "Number 12, Paxson, going in for Donovan." The official nodded and immediately the announcement was made over the loud speaker. It sent chills up Hunter's back, to hear his name announced before a capacity crowd, and he realized he was in a situation he had never imagined. He was replacing Jerric.
Jerric grabbed the towel from the back of his chair and wiped the sweat from his body. He reached for some water and when he turned back around, Coach Jackson was kneeling in front of him.
"Should I even venture a guess as to what caused that outburst?" Jackson asked, knowing all too well that Jerric would have logical explanation. Well, logical to Jerric anyway.
"You have to let the officials know early on that you're watching their calls. You let them get away with shit like and they'll be making those calls all year long. It didn't matter today, but down the road it will."
Jerric smiled a devilish grin, then continued. "Besides, you know damn well what a technical foul does. It fires up everyone on the team. Strategy coach, its all strategy."
"Donovan, will you let me coach this team please?"
"Sure coach, no problem. And while we're on the topic of strategy......."
"Yes Jerric?"
"Hunter just sank a 3 pointer." He winked while grinning widely. "Told you'd he'd be a great addition."
When the final buzzer sounded the press rushed towards the bench, all hoping for an interview with Jerric. Even at 19, Jerric was a professional when it came dealing with reporters.
"Hey guys, if you'll give me about 5 minutes to talk to my teammates, I'll be back out and answer your questions." He waved graciously to the cameras and headed into the locker room.
Immediately, he found Hunter. "Hunter, you did it. Your first game and you sink one! That was awesome"
Hunter was elated. "Thanks Jerric. You have no idea what it felt like to be out there. I know I didn't contribute much, but I was in the game Jerric. I was playing ball for Duke."
"Yeah, you were, and I'm really proud of you, but you have to remember something. This is a team, Hunter. Every time we have a game everyone contributes, whether they score 40 points or whether they never get in the game. No one player is more important than another one. It takes all of us to win."
"Thanks Jerric, and I know we're a team, but damn I want to be out there."
Jerric smiled. "Don't worry, you'll get your chance. He paused briefly. "I gotta go talk to the reporters. I'll be back in ten minutes and we can talk about where we're going tonight, okay?
Hunter grabbed a towel and headed toward the shower. "Okay, see you in a bit."
To Be Continued..................