Behind Closed Hearts

Chapter 18

The Next Day

Eddie kicked the soccer ball back and forth with his teammates in the hallway and it bounced between students as they made their way down the hallway.

Eddie laughed as he saw Seamus standing, oblivious, by his locker. When the ball was passed to him, he aimed the ball and sent a hard pass at his friend, hitting Seamus straight in the back.

Seamus spun his heel, dropped his book, and glared around until he spotted Eddie. "I swear to God, Eddie!" Seamus hollered.

"Now you did it!" One of Eddie's teammates called.

Quickly, Eddie jogged over to Seamus, calling over his shoulder to his friends. "I'll be at practice in a little while!" Then he scooped up the ball and Seamus' book and handed it to him.

Seamus huffed, took it, and stuffed it into his locker. "If you are going to ruin my textbooks, you better be prepared to pay for it."

"Loosen up, Seamus!" Eddie said with a smile. "Are you going to stay after with Jordan to watch our practice?"

Seamus shook his head as he began to stuff his things into his backpack. "I have a pile of homework to do, not to mention my chores, all of which have to be finished by the time my father returns from work."

He scrunched his eyebrows as he tried to fit one last textbook into the already overflowing bag.

Eddie rested his hand on Seamus' shoulder. "You don't have to try to please him at everything, Seamus," Eddie said.

He knew that Mr. O'Doherty, Seamus' father, was a very strict man who dreamed of the best for his children. But Eddie also knew that Seamus tried much too hard to please a man who was never satisfied. "Come on, Seamus. Live a little."

Seamus glared and slammed his locker. "I live, Eddie, just as much as you. My life is just filled with more purpose than yours, that's all," he spat. Then he turned on his heel and stalked into the crowd.

Eddie was stung, yes. He always was. But he waited in that same spot until he saw Seamus return, looking angry and maybe a little worried.

"I didn't mean-" He began, looking at the floor.

Eddie held up his hand. "It's okay, Seamus. Just come to a practice when your dad is on a business trip, okay? Now go home and do your homework."

Seamus' lips quirked into a half smile before he stalked off again. Eddie supposed everyone had their problems in high school. Seamus never felt adequate enough; Eddie was struggling to maintain his leading position in soccer...

Eddie narrowed his eyes at the thought. Ever since those devil brothers had come to this school, Eddie was wavering at the top of their team. Aleks and James were on the verge of beating him.

"Have you seen James?"

Eddie jumped. "Don't do that!" He cried, turning to Jordan.

"So? Have you?"

Eddie shook his head, peering across the busy hallway as kids rushed to leave the school. "No, why?"

He looked up at him with his green eyes with his flushed lips and Eddie was instantly jealous.

This guy, that he had had a crush on for years, cared more and more about the brothers as the days went on. Eddie wondered if he was attracted to either of them. "It's James," He breathed and suddenly his eyes were full of fear.

Eddie's eyes widened. "What about him?"

Jordan looked away and shook his head. "You wouldn't understand," he said and turned away.