Rainbow Connection, AFTG ✔️

2.10

CHAPTER TEN
JAMES

The Fox stress levels were through the roof. The week leading up to the Foxes' first deathmatch was chaos, filled with quiet panic, and James wasn't at all immune to it. Dan tried playing it cool, but James could hear the strain in her voice as she directed her team at practices. Allison harped at the fractured defense line any chance she got, and Kevin was awful to all of them. Matt was marginally better at keeping his act together, but the further into the week they got the more restless and anxious he seemed.

Even Renee was feeling it, though she hid it well. When her friends were around she was the perfect rock to lean on, as encouraging and pleasant as always. James often saw her focused on her phone -- James knew Kevin had passed along Jean's phone number, and the occasional unhappy twitch at the corner of Renee's mouth said her text conversations with Jean weren't going well. Just another weight on his consciousness, James thought.

Afternoon scrimmages had all of them walking away bruised and sore. Kevin and Neil pulled out all the stops to get around their teammates, and their backliners pushed back as hard as they could. James stopped his homework and paid attention long enough to feel confident about their odds in the deathmatch.

Still, James was thankful when Hayden offered a distraction in the form of the date he'd been ever so excited for. Hayden had planned the entire thing out with him, throwing around every idea he had to try and find something James liked -- James liked all of them, which meant he had a pretty full night with Hayden planned.

"Okay, we need to get out to the field before it gets dark," Hayden said, "Buckle your seatbelt."

"You know, taking a man to a field is a bit suspicious," James teased, "Are you going to kill me and hide the body?" It wouldn't be the worst thing that could happen on the date if James was being fully transparent.

"No murder plots," Hayden promised, "Though your ears might bleed if you don't like old music. I have a ton of classics that I intend on playing."

James smiled — because how could James not smile around Hayden?

Their plan was simple enough, if not uncommon for a first date. Hayden knew Evermore never taught James how to drive, and he — for some reason — believed this was the perfect chance to teach him. Hence, Hayden drove them a fair way out of the city and into a short-grass field.

"Okay, so, obviously, you can't drive," Hayden said, "You know.." He knocked on his thigh to reference the cast, "But, basics! You have to adjust your seat and your mirrors, which obviously mine are set up already—" He cringed and said, "I feel like I'm rambling already."

"On the first date?" James gasped sarcastically, "Shameful." Hayden laughed, but it was nervous and ill-conceived. James took his hand with his much smaller one, shaking it slightly, "I like it when you ramble. I like hearing you talk."

"It's a good thing I talk a lot, right?"

Though Hayden was joking, James beamed and nodded, "Exactly! Talk to me, Hayden," James said, and it felt like another language. If his collection of CDs was any indication, Hayden spoke music, and James wanted to serenade him, "and let me listen. Everyone always wants me to talk."

"I'll listen to every word you give me," Hayden laughed, but shook his head, "Seriously though, what do you want me to say?"

"What's the story with you and Renee?" James asked, "She's a foster, isn't she?"

Hayden suddenly didn't seem so smiley. The car's inside lights and headlights didn't seem bright enough without his grin to amplify them. Still, James wasn't scared — he didn't look angry — but concerned. Hayden hadn't looked so empty ever in their relationship.