Ember Gods

Chapter 16

Jacob and Matt took Gallus back to the store, then went home. The Makalos needed time to work with the people who'd already been pulled from the potion, and opted to take the night off. Jacob's muscles needed to recuperate from working with Sweet Pea, so he was especially grateful.

He wanted to relax and play video games or watch a movie, but Tani called and told him the usual group was meeting at the local church to play basketball in the gym, and they wanted to know if he was up for it.

Knowing he needed to practice, to keep up on his skills, he said yes. He'd have the opportunity to impress Coach sooner or later and didn't want to get rusty.

"Great," Tani said. "We'll carpool—see you soon."

***

Teegan, Tani's older brother, honked out front. Jacob made sure Hazel would be comfortable in his room without him, then ran and hopped in the car. Five minutes later, they pulled up to the church and jogged inside, eager to get started. Teegan, now a college freshman and on the local university's team, divided everyone up. Tani was the only girl, as usual.

They played a twenty-minute game, then Teegan re-divided, playing opposite of Jacob. He said he wanted to challenge Jacob more. This game was fast and intense, with Jacob struggling to keep up. He wasn't used to going against someone with Teegan's training, even though he and the older teenager had played like this many times before Teegan went to college.

Teegan's team won both games, but the second game was close. Jacob tried not to feel discouraged. He'd done his best—he knew he had. But they still lost.

Afterward, several of the players went to an ice cream parlor in Logan. Teegan, Jacob, and Tani chose a booth away from the others. Jacob wasn't sure, but it seemed like Teegan had something on his mind. They were silent for a moment. Tani texted someone on her phone, letting her ice cream melt, and Jacob enjoyed the cool sweetness of his chocolate pecan shake.

Finally Teegan leaned back in his seat, staring at Jacob. "You've improved a lot since the last time we played together."

"So have you."

"Yeah, well, playing with college seniors forces you to really step it up."

"That, and his coach doesn't let him slack off," Tani said, putting her phone away.

"He still planning to have you sit on the bench most games?" Jacob asked Teegan.

Teegan waved a hand in dismissal. "Yeah, but it doesn't bother me."

Tani looked at her older brother disapprovingly—she obviously didn't believe him.

"Well, it does," Teegan said, "but I'm still really young on the team." He leaned forward. "Tani told me what happened with Kevin."

Jacob snorted. "So embarrassing."

"I've played with both of you—many times. Jake, you're much better than him. You're holding yourself back."

"I'm not holding back—basketball is the only place I feel really at home. Coach just hasn't given me a chance to prove myself."

"Stop trying the way you've been doing it. Talking to him won't do any good."

Tani nodded. "He's right. You've got to show Coach."

"But how? Kevin's not letting me play during lunch."

Teegan raised an eyebrow. "What does Kevin, and what he wants you to do, have to do with anything? Seriously, Jacob, don't let him push you around like this."

Jacob scowled, feeling like he was in elementary school again. He'd realized that bullies back then were bullies in high school too. "Easier said than done."

Teegan was quiet for a while. Then his face lit up. "You know, I could talk to Coach Smith from Logan High. He'd probably be willing to let you practice with his team for a couple of weeks, at least until you get in at the orange gym."

Jacob grunted. "You make it sound like it's some sort of high-end club."

"That's basically what it is at this point, with Kevin acting as gatekeeper. He's always going to be a jerk about things."

"And why would Coach Smith let me play with them? That would ruin how they play together. It's not even technically legal."

"The season hasn't started yet—doesn't for a couple more months. So, you wouldn't really be playing with them. Just practicing. And a few practices won't do any harm. It'll give you good experience, and you'll be using your skills while we figure out what to do with Kevin."

Jacob rubbed his face. "Practicing with you guys is plenty good for me. I don't need anything else."

"Dude, we're not challenging you enough. I'm not as good as you think I am. I probably won't go past college. You, on the other hand, could if you wanted. You've got to trust me on this one."

Jacob thought about it for a moment, then shrugged, letting himself relax. "Okay, just so long as Smith knows he doesn't have to let me if it disrupts his team."

"No worries there," Teegan said. "His wife works with my dad, and I did them a big favor last year helping their son with his Eagle project."

"Okay, that'd be great. Thanks." It would be better than great. Practicing with Logan High would give Jacob the experience he needed with more seasoned players. His friends were great, but Teegan was right—they weren't varsity level.

A huge smile crossed Teegan's face. "Dude, this is what we're going to do. You practice with Logan for a month or so, then when you're ready, you play in the orange gym. I'll help out—get rid of Kev for the day or something."

"How're you going to do that?"

Teegan shrugged. "I'll figure it out."