Friends With Benefits//joshler [✔]

15. Debating Quitting

(THIS EDIT HAS ME DEAD)

Tyler was dreading practice. He knew everybody was going to be mad at him, especially his coach. He didn't want to hear the lecture that he knew was sure to come.

He trudged out of the locker room, bag heavy against his shoulder as he made his way over to Melanie. He dropped his bag on the stage, sighing.

"I'm going to be in so much trouble."

"At least we still won," Melanie shrugged.

"Yeah but I'm supposed to be responsible and blah blah blah," Tyler rolled his eyes, watching a few of his teammates setting up the net.

"Just stand there and take it. Don't say anything except for sorry."

"I know, but thanks for the reminder," Tyler chuckled.

"So how was your day?"

"Amazing," Tyler gushed. "I'm so proud of Josh."

Melanie giggled, tongue poking through her tooth gap. "I'm glad you're happy."

"Won't be for long," he mumbled, seeing his coach enter the gym. She looked like she had a horrible day. Great. Just what Tyler needed.

"Bump with a partner," Coach Brown said, mindlessly setting her bags down. "Tyler, I want to speak with you."

Tyler nodded obediently, walking off to the side of the gym to talk with her.

"I'm very disappointed in you," she started. He refrained from rolling his eyes.

"Where were you yesterday?"

"I was at school. I was just in the bathroom. I had a really bad day, Coach. I'm sorry."

"That's no excuse," she sighed. "You knew the consequences. You knew we had a game. And instead of at least showing up, you never made an appearance. You really let your team down."

Tyler nodded, although he knew nobody on his team cared all too much considering they'd still won.

"I'm sorry, Coach," he repeated.

"It better not happen again."

"It won't."

"Alright, I'm trusting you." She turned to the rest of the team. "Start warming up your shoulders so we can work on serving."

After practice, Tyler was coated in a thin layer of sweat. He panted softly, grabbing his bag off the stage and exiting the gym. He walked out to the football field, the chilly September air turning his sweat cold. He spotted Josh sitting on the bleachers with nobody else in sight.

"Josh? What's wrong?" he questioned, jogging over to the older.

Josh's head looked up from his lap, eyes swollen and face red. Tyler frowned, sliding to sit next to him and pulling him into an embrace.

"What's wrong?" he repeated, small arms holding him tightly.

"I want to quit," Josh mumbled, encasing Tyler in his arms.

Tyler was his sanctuary. The small brunette effortlessly helped Josh just by being there. His presence alone could always lift Josh's spirit, no matter the situation. Josh had always wondered how it felt to have someone who could instantly turn a bad moment into a good one. Now he knew.

"What? Why?" the smaller asked in disbelief.

"I spent the whole practice getting made fun of," Josh sighed, finding comfort in the younger's brown eyes.

"By who?"

"Everybody," he sighed. "It just hurt. I thought they were my friends."

"I'm sorry," Tyler spoke softly, slightly feeling as if it was his fault. "They're not true friends. You have real true friends, now. But you don't have to quit. You're so good, Josh. It would be so sad to see you quit."

"I won't, not yet. But if it doesn't stop, I'm done. I wish I would've played soccer."

"Yeah! Those guys are nice! Dallon would've been a nice friend for you."

Josh rolled his eyes, feeling a twang of jealousy at the mention of Dallon's name. He'd never actually seen Tyler and Dallon together, but that didn't mean they didn't hang out outside of school. From what it sounded like, they did. Josh decided Dallon would not be a good friend.

"Let's just get you home," Josh spoke up, suppressing his emotions to deal with when he got home.

"Can I stay with you?"

"Not tonight, baby. This weekend."

"Why?" Tyler whined, following Josh to his truck.

"So you can get to know my family better."

"Oh, good idea."

They got in, driving in a comfortable silence to the brunette's house. Josh parked out front, taking his eyes off the road to look over at Tyler.

"I love you." The words rolled off of his tongue easily.

"I love you too," Tyler responded, leaning across the center console to kiss him.

"Want me to pick you up tomorrow?" Josh asked, gazing into the chocolate orbs.

"Yeah, just text me when you're out front. And text me when you get home."

"Okay," Josh agreed. He kissed Tyler again, warm hands cupping his cold cheekbones.

"I'll see you tomorrow. I love you," Josh repeated.

Tyler giggled. "You already said that, but I love you too. Buh-bye."

He exited the truck, sashaying up to his front door. He turned around, waving goodbye to Josh who blew him a kiss before driving away. Tyler grew weak at the knees. Josh was infatuating.