Knowing You

Chapter 17 - Me vs. Everyone

"I candy coat and cover everything,
But I'm still hiding underneath.
It's been a long time, it's been a long time.

A thousand faces looking up at me -
Hands all pointing to the ceiling.
Oh, what a feeling."
- Forever the Sickest Kids

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Hunter's POV

I curse under my breath as Mia hits the gym floor for what must be the fifth time tonight, and it's only the first half. The Panthers have always played dirty, but this game has been something else.

The ref finally blows his whistle, and I watch, my leg bouncing up and down restlessly, as Mia gets to her feet. She shoots a quick look to the stands letting me know she's alright, and I breathe out a sigh of relief as she heads to the free throw line.

The first one sinks in, nothing but net. The second hits the rim a little too hard and bounces off as every player on the court scrambles for the rebound.

Someone tips it, and Mia jumps, snatching it out of the air and coming down strong with the rebound.

It's less than a second before she passes it to another girl on the team, and they're barreling down the court again. Rose gets the ball and pulls up for a three pointer.

It arches through the air and sinks in, nothing but net, just before the buzzer sounds for halftime. Our girls are up 34-31. The guys' team goes wild in the bleachers, and I stand to my feet cheering for them.

It's so loud in here, I almost don't hear someone calling my name.

"Scott?" they repeat.

"Hm?" I respond without looking, my eyes glued to Mia across the floor.

"Hey Scott," Jay sets a hand on my shoulder. "Coach wants us to go warm up on the court outside."

I turn to him, eyebrow raised. "You're kidding right? It's only halftime."

Jay raises his hands in defense. "Hey, not my call," he says. "Apparently, Coach says we're a distraction."

I glance around at the rest of the team, whooping and hollering as loud as they can while he refs look on like they'd tech us if they could. "Why would he say that?"

Jay laughs. "Come on, if we hurry, we'll be back before fourth quarter."

Reluctantly, I grab my gym bag and head down the bleachers, helping Jay herd the rest of the guys on the way out.

By the time we've got everyone on the floor, the girls' team is starting to file off the court into the locker rooms.

I reach out, grabbing Mia's hand as she starts to walk by. She lingers behind, keeping an eye on Coach Smith's back until he disappears into the locker room. "What's up?" she says.

"You alright?" I ask, lifting a hand to brush a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "They're playing rough tonight."

She nods. "Fine. I'll have some bruises tomorrow, but I'll make them pay for it."

I grin. "That's my girl. Listen, you're doing great. You just need -,"

"A little more arch on my free throws and more muscle in the paint, I know," she says, taking the words out of my mouth. I raise an eyebrow, and she shrugs. "I learned from the best."

"Alright, well I've got to go warm up with the guys, but I'll be back before the fourth quarter. You got this."

I lean in and give her a quick kiss on the cheek. She smiles and gives my hand a squeeze before jogging to follow the rest of the girls into the locker room.