Chapter 25

The goal the basketball team had been striving for was here. They'd played their best games for the last seven games, and now they needed one more perfect game to clinch the championship.

Once again, Rhyn found himself sitting in the stands waiting for the game to begin. This time he'd ridden with Rhys on the bus. It was usually for team and staff only, but Rhyd hadn't been able to come nor had their parents. Rhys had talked to coach Beyers, and the coach had agreed. Everyone knew he had a soft spot for Rhyn. Rhys could ask for supper and would be denied. Rhyn could ask and be given the key to the city.

Watching the teams practice before the game had been worthwhile. This was their conference game, and it was for everything they'd worked for all season. Each player was a ball of nerves. They were waiting for the inevitable. Rhyn remembered those emotions all too well. Before his swim meets, he har always been wound up. No amount of stretching could help. All he could do was dive into the water and swim.

Rhyn felt that nervous energy now as he sat in the hard-backed chair. The wait was the worst. He wanted to see what his brother and his teammates could do. Could they pull it off, or would they choke? Only time would tell, and it was ticking off the scoreboard slowly. Ten minutes left until the conference championship was decided.

He was wrapped up in memories and thoughts that he didn't realize someone had sat next to him. Rhyn bumped someone's elbow with his. Turning to apologize, his eyes widened at the person beside him. Martin Dane schooled his face, but Rhyn knew he was the last person the older man wanted to see. On the other side of him, Braylin Connor draped her jacket over her bare legs.

Across the court, he caught Myles's look. He raised his eyebrows in question. Rhyn shook his head. He could put up with his dad for two hours until this was over. He wouldn't be an insecure mess. He could manage this.

Like usual, the announcer gave the security spiel and told about the emergency exits. They rise for the national anthem and the announcing of the teams. If the Christmas tournament was loud with cheering fans, this was far beyond that. The stands were packed full, and whenever favorite players were announced, the fans and families erupted. A couple of times Rhyn thought his eardrums would rupture.

The buzzer sounded at the time, and the teams filtered onto the court. Friendly banter was exchanged between the players, and they settled in their starting positions. The referee blew his whistle and tossed the ball into the air.

The other team tipped it to their side which was depressing. But it didn't take long for Myles and Rhys to go on a tear down the court. They barely looked at each other as they ran, but somehow Rhys passed the ball to Myles effortlessly. Myles got the layup and they were setting up again.

Without Rhyd to keep him company, Rhyn started looking elsewhere. He started watching people across the gym. Those sitting behind the benches were engrossed in the game, especially the kids. He wondered if they were related to any of the players. He couldn't tell by their faces since they were too far away, but he let his mind wonder to the fact that they were.

An older lady behind the timekeeper's table was going nuts. She was dressed in blue and white, and she was also related to the number 26 on the other team. She was a grandmother, aunt or mother to him, and she wanted him to win. Rhyn watched number 26's expressions soon after. He was slightly annoyed with her outburst, but he was more focused on the game.

Half-time rolled around suddenly. The teams exited the court, and the cheerleaders took their places. Out if the corner of his eye, Rhyn saw Braylin stand and ascend the steps slowly. He wondered how she wore three inch heels to a basketball game and how the hell she walked in them.

"Are you second guessing your decision now?"

Rhyn looked at Martin as he crossed his arms over his chair. "Excuse me?"

"After graduation, Myles will propose to Braylin and they'll get married in the fall. Now that you've seen her, are you second guessing your decision to date my son?"

He had to think for a minute. Never in his wildest dreams did he think Myles's father would speak to him. Martin hadn't said a word to him when he'd caught them having sex in Myles's room. So Rhyn hadn't thought anything about it. Now that Martin was talking to him, he wondered if he lost his mind.

Rhyn knew Myles better than his father it seemed. Myles didn't want to be told who to see and marry. It had been the sole reason he had argued with his dad. Martin didn't have to agree with it, but Myles wanted him to respect his decision. He didn't have to listen to the bill shut he spewed about marriage and whatnot.

He must have been quiet too long because Martin cleared his throat. Rhyn looked at him, meeting the same blue eyes he'd stared into time and time again. Except these blue eyes were full of disdain.

"I see my question had shocked you," he mused. He seemed happy about it because his eyes were bright.

Rhyn scratched his face. "I'm not really shocked that you asked that. I'm more shocked at how ignorant of your son you are."

Martin's face clouded over. "Excuse me?"

"You should know Myles doesn't like to be told what to do. If you don't understand his feelings then you shouldn't tell him what he should and shouldn't do. If you don't know why he's dating someone, then you shouldn't force your opinion down his throat."

"Do your parents even know of your relationship?" Rhyn stated at him. He smirked knowing Rhyn's answer without having to hear it. "Until you tell your parents, don't assume to know what I think."

"My parents have three sons, so at least two have a chance to pass on the family name. However, I have never once seen or heard my parents force their opinions down our throats. They give it when asked, but otherwise we don't hear much about theirs. They respect our decisions because we're adults."

They stared at each other until Braylin returned. She saw Rhyn and politely nodded, but Rhyn knew she was not happy seeing him. He didn't have an opinion on her since she hadn't done anything to him personally. That may change if she did.

The buzzer sounded, and the conversation was dropped. Rhyn was all too happy to let it go. He wondered if his parents knew Martin Dane and what his mindset was. He would have to tell them why if he asked out if the blue, and he wasn't sure if he was ready for that yet or at all. He knew he'd have to tell them at some point, but he'd like for it to be in his terms.

He was so annoyed he barely paid any attention to the third quarter. He knew he should, but he kept replaying everything in his mind. He'd have to tell Myles, and he didn't want to be worked up. Why was it always during the championship game when this shit happened?

He tuned back in during the fourth quarter, but there was a handful of minutes left before the game was over. He looked at the score. They were tied. How the hell had he missed that? Oh, right. Martin Dane had run his mouth and pisses Rhyn off so he'd withdrawn into himself for a long time. He'd missed most of the second half.

Rhys stumbled as he took the ball down the court. The other team - number 26- stole the ball and headed for the opposite goal. Myles tire after him and leapt as soon as the other guy went for a layup. Instead of fouling the player, he connected with the ball and slapped it into the stands.

If there was a decibel meter in the building, Rhyn was sure it wouldn't be able to read the reactions. Fans erupted happily, and the defense cheers and offensive cheers battled each other. It was so loud Rhyn could barely think, but he got excited as Rhys, Ryan and Myles started running circles around the other team.

The score started to pull away. Myles and Ryan, who had been quiet recently, started sinking everything they put up. They had the hot hands. Pair it with Rhys's floor awareness and the other two players' defensive abilities, they were working towards that one goal. They wanted to win, and they knew they could.

Myles was fouled as he went for a layup. He and Coach Beyers shared a look before his free throws. He sank the first one but missed the second one. The other team tipped the ball out, which stopped the clock with 0.06 seconds left. Rhys took it out. When he slapped his hand on the ball, his team scattered.

Ryan took the pass and didn't think. He sent the sphere flying through the air. The buzzer sounded as the ball rolled around the rim before it felt through the net. The gym was electrified as the scoreboard changed. The final score was 71-70 with Ryan scoring the winning goal.

The bench flooded the floor as they celebrated. The announcer somehow managed to get to them and hand the championship trophy to Coach Beyers and snag a team photo. Then he announced the champions and wisely got off the floor.

Rhyn walked into the court at a more sedate pace. He didn't want to die just yet so he would let his brother cheer before he hugged him.

Rhys wrapped him up, tears of joy rolling down his cheeks. Rhyn held him as his shoulders shook. He understood it. Everything he'd worked for had come true. He'd missed state championship while in high school, but now he'd won the conference in college. He could retire peacefully.

"Geez," Rhys said. Rhyn looked at him then follows his finger. Myles stood with his dad and Braylin. "Do you think she will ever learn?"

Rhyn watched as Braylin tried to kiss Myles again. He looked at his dad and said something. Then he turned in his heel and walked towards Rhyn. He swept him up and dropped his mouth to cover Rhyn's. In front of God, the school and everyone, he kissed Rhyn passionately. His teammates heckled him good-naturedly but left it alone.

When he pulled away, Rhyn saw Braylin huff away with Martin following close behind. He laughed then rested his head on Myles's shoulder. He looked up as he looked at Myles. The other guy was watching his dad closely.

Rhyn stepped up on his tiptoes and whispered in Myles's ear. He watched him turn to stare at him, eyes wide in shock. Slowly, his face widened into a broad smile.

"Are you series?" Myles asked. Rhyn nodded. He swept him up, pulling him off his feet with the force of his hug. "What should I do with you?"

"You could stop spending money on someone who just wants to bleed you dry." They looked at Braylin. She was suddenly between them again. She looked at Rhyn. "Is this how you got him to date you? You showed up to his games? And when he won, he bought you something?"

"What shit are you spewing now?" Myles demanded.

"It's easy to see he just wants your money."

"No, that's your excuse."

They started arguing in front of everyone. Rhyn looked around and felt his face heat up. Why couldn't he have one moment with Myles that didn't end up in an argument from an outside source? Why couldn't they be happy for Myles? Why was he suddenly a gold digger?

Braylin wheeled on him and jabbed a well-manicured finger in his face. "You should leave before I write an expose on how you're using Myles for his name and money."

"Hey!" Myles protested. "Leave him alone! He's gone nothing to you."

Rhyn held up his hand to stop Myles. He had plenty to say, but his temper would get out of hand. Instead, he looked at the three of them. Martin had wandered back and was looking smug.

"I don't want to cause a bigger scene, so I'm going to go," he said.

Myles tried to catch his eye as he turned away, but Rhyn ignored him. He disappeared into the crowd. One gaze he did catch was Rhys's. If murder was an expression, that was it. Myles once again unintentionally hurt Rhys's brother. He was sure hell was about to open up.