Chasing You

19

BRADEN

Basketball.

My escape.

We are in the full swing of basketball preseason and Coach is working us. My birthday is this weekend and the weekend after that is our first game. It's been two weeks since Rae's birthday party. Two weeks of trying to wrap my brain around the fact that I hurt Lacey because I was afraid of getting hurt. Then, hurting myself in the fucking process.

All because I was a pussy and couldn't just tell her what I was feeling.

I tried, I really did try to tell her what was going on. It's like my brain short circuits before the words come out of my mouth and I shut down. It's always been that way. Like I am not okay to feel what I feel about her. Or anything else for that fact.

I am snapped out of my thoughts as a clipboard slams onto the desk in front of me. We started watching film right after practice today and Coach looks pissed.

"Williams, get your head-" Coach says tapping it with his clipboard. I slide my chair away from him as he continues, "-out from la la land."

"Sorry, Coach," I cough out as Robbie slaps my shoulder. He gives me a warning look because I can't fuck this year up. I want captain position next year, I need it next year. That means doing everything I need to do. Three captains. Robbie, Trey, and Asher hold the captain positions this year. Next year, I want one of them to be me. I clear my throat looking away from Robbie and back to the screen in front of us. It's our NCAA Championship game from last year. The game was not perfect in the slightest.

Which is why we are going over it.

We have a scrimmage on Friday, my birthday and halloween. And when my brother and mom are coming. All around I am stressed the fuck out. Coach is determined to win the championship again this year and I think we can do it again. Our team may have lost some good players due to them being a senior or the NBA but the freshman this year are unbeatable. Sanders is insane. He's probably going to be the top prospect for the NBA when he goes. He can honestly go right now.

"Your starters," Coach says motioning to the row of us. Trey, Robbie, Asher, Jeremy, and myself. "They have won a championship. Other people on this team have won a championship. So, freshman, know your place but work your ass off."

Sanders swivels around to look at me in his chair. I raise my eyebrows at him as Coach continues on his rant.

"What are we doing for your birthday?" Sanders whispers looking at all of us. Asher ignores the conversation continuing to listen to Coach.

"Nothing," I shrug glancing up front. Coach is still paying no mind to us as Sanders laughs. I shoot him a sarcastic smile as his face goes blank.

"Oh you're not kidding?" he asks me in a louder tone. I roll my eyes at him. I don't understand why everyone is so shocked I don't want to do anything for my birthday. One, I hate birthdays, especially mine, and two, my brother is coming. So, no big parties can happen under my watch. He isn't coming to stay yet but after our first game he'll be here.

"No he isn't. Now shut the fuck up and turn around," Asher snaps nodding his head towards the front. Sanders rolls his eyes but turns around nonetheless.

"Alright, tomorrow we have a late practice, Thursday is early morning, Friday night is your scrimmage. You all are dismissed," Coach says clapping his hands on his clipboard. I let out a breath bending down and grabbing my backpack. I am sore, tired, and just want to sleep. Also, ignore all the stupid shit I have to fix. I stand up from my chair stretching.

"I don't want to move," Trey moans throwing his head back. Asher stands up eyes on his phone reading over text messages. "Where is our chauffeur?"

"Chauffer?"