Brother's Teammate

Chapter 2

We lost. We played well but we lost. As the other team gained another game to their winning streak. It felt horrible, and as I entered the clubhouse it was silent. The only sound you could hear was the players moving and stripping their jerseys and undershirts off. It made everything more depressing.

"You guys gave it your all, don't be so hard on yourselves," I spoke up.

They all just looked at me blankly before continuing what they were doing. I felt bad. There was never anything I could say, or do that would lift their spirt at times like these. It made me upset because they were upset. It made me feel useless.

Gibbons gave me the okay to leave to my apartment, which was only about two or three blocks away from Roger's Center. I had gotten a ride from Josh D, who lives next to me, but I wasn't in the mood to sit in a vehicle in silence. It was hard. Josh takes every loss too personally, and when we lose, he won't say a word for hours after the game.

As I left the building, a small group of people, fans, stood outside of the gate 9. A couple walked up and asked me to sign their hats, while others ask if the players were going to come out. It made me happy to see them so pumped even after a loss. Why couldn't the players be like this? They thanked me, and I was off on my way. The air was hot, although it was 10pm. It was still about 17 degree Celsius.

Once I was in the comfort of my own apartment, I let myself relax. It was calm and quiet, and I loved it. It was my break from the screaming fans, and heated arguments with players and umpires. I let myself calm down and take everything in that happened today. It is where I felt most comfortable in my own skin. Just as I thought that I was going to be able to just fall asleep on the couch, there was a knock on the door.

I got up and looked thought the peep hole. The person's hand was over it, so I couldn't see who it was. I automatically thought it was going to be Josh D. He was someone I wouldn't mind hanging out with right now. We defiantly had our nights of cuddling and movies, although he is nothing more than a friend to me.

As I go to open the door, I see Josh D, along with Marcus Stroman. I feel my cheeks heat up instantly. He was someone I have had a thing for from the day he debuted for us. There is just something about him. He is just so charismatic and kind hearted. He is always the player who isn't upset after a loss. He is the one who will say 'we will get them next time'. I just can't shake my feelings for him.

"Come on in," I said, looking anywhere but at them.

"Hey Jack," Josh smiled, giving me a kiss on the cheek.

"Hey Mr.MVP," I said, with a small giggle. "What can I do for you two?"

"Oh nothing, we just decided to drop by," Josh said, looking at Stro.

"Mhmm alright," I said, as I was finally able to look up at them.

"And I wanted to know if you were up for a movie night considering we don't have a game tomorrow," He said, giving me his best puppy dog eyes.

"Why wouldn't I be?" I asked, as I let another giggle slip out.

"What movie are we going to watch, Giggles? Josh?" Marcus asked, smirking while looking at the both of us.

"Lets watch The Shining," Josh said looking way too excited.

"Uh, last time I watched that, I didn't sleep for a good week after that," I said, laughing nervously.

"Don't worry, you've got two brave, strong men to protect you," Josh said, puffing up his chest, and putting his hands on his hips.

Stro and I just looked at him like he was going crazy, which he probably was. As much as I didn't want to watch it, the thought of potentially being able to cuddle up to Marcus was overpowering, and I gave into watching the movie. It couldn't be that bad, could it?

***

I think it was about half way through the movie when I felt it was getting way to scary for me. I was physically shaking, and Josh had fallen asleep. Marcus seemed to be on the verge of falling asleep, while I was still wide awake. I honestly don't understand how someone could fall asleep during this movie.

I watch Marcus as his eyes fell shut, leaving me as the only person still awake. I pick up the remote and turn it off. Suddenly feeling like something was going to kill me if I were to go to my room, I used Josh's shoulder as a pillow, and tried to fall asleep. And after about two hours, I finally did.

***

I was awoken by Josh moving, as he started to wake up. I lifted my head, and Marcus was sitting on the couch on his phone. When he looked up and saw me awake he smiled at me, and I smiled back. I looked up at the clock. 8:30am. It felt much later than that.

I pushed myself up from Josh shoulder, and moments later Josh was awake as well. He stretched his arms above his head, and yawned loudly. We all just sat there in silence, and just waking up. I put a pillow on Josh's lap and laid my head down. Marcus lifted his arms up, allowing me to put my legs over his lap.

"How was the movie? I fell asleep," Josh asked.

"Both of you fell asleep on me, leaving me to sit there and watch it alone," I snapped, as I pushed myself off the couch and went to get something to eat.

"Giggles, we are truly very sorry," Stro said, looking my way.

"Please stop calling me giggles," I snapped, slamming the box of cereal down on the counter.

"What would you rather me call you then?" He asked, as he got up and walked over, grabbing a bowl as well.

For whatever reason, when he went to grab the bowl, he stood right behind me. This caused him to have to stand on his tip toes, and lean into me slightly. As soon as his body came in contact with mine, I felt myself freeze up. I felt a shiver go down my back, followed by the feeling of electricity flowing through my bones. My cheeks started to heat up, for what felt like the 100th time since Stro has been here. All I could do was hope that Josh didn't see my reaction, and that Marcus didn't notice it.

"My name," I said, looking up at him slightly, trying to hide the fact that I looked like a tomato.

Him being only 5'8", made it very hard to be shorter than him. I, being only 5'6", was still only two inches shorter. The whole team made fun of how short I was, including him, although the team also makes fun of him for being short. It wasn't fair, and was no longer funny. It was to the point that it was annoying. I would wear heels to the games if it were to be acceptable.

"You're now called JP then," he said, laughing.

"What's so wrong with my name? Why can't you just use that?" I asked him.

"I can't pronounce it without having to think about it lots," he shrugged, obviously lying. I didn't question it.

"Well, JP is better than Giggles," I told him as I poured milk into my bowl, and smiling to myself.