Alleyway BxB

XVI (Awry)

MONDAY, 8 OCTOBER
MARCELLO LOCKHEART

It was nearly time.

I kept an eye on my phone almost excessively for Matt to give me a heads up. Zach and Dallon, and I did a great job at ensuring Nathan was in the best possible mood for what was around the corner from him because inviting his closer team friends over was the perfect move. They were lounged around on the various bean bags strewn about in the centre of our living room and there was something wholesome about Isaiah and Dallon's total absorption into their circle.

"I have a bad feeling about this," Zach whispered quietly as he checked his own watch. "Nate's definitely not going to take this well."

Nathan had leaned himself against Ryder as they wrestled each other for more space on the huge bean bag. A few gentle shoves and smacks, but I could tell they were being more gentle than their typical quarrel. Most of their energy had been summoned into their back and forth friendly fire of bitter insults. Their words were particularly harsh but they had been laughing the entire way through. Corbyn and I fought like that too, except it was more fun since we did it in the cage.

"Matt's a sweet kid," I reminded him. He was extremely talented too. "Nate couldn't have expected him to stay single for long."

But Zach looked to me in concern. "That isn't the issue," he sighed. "I just found something Nate wasn't expecting me to... He's dated more than just Blaine and I. Did he tell you that?" His voice had gone even quieter, so much so that I needed to lean in slightly just to avoid asking for a reiteration.

"No." And good on him. I didn't want him delving into anymore sad shit in his past. If I could serve as a happier distraction for him in his life, then I had no problem being that for him. "I'm no strangers to having exes, Zach. I don't think it matters all too much."

"I get that, but-"

"Hold on!" Ryder exclaimed. "You have a what?"

"You have a brother?"

"And you never told us?"

Ryder, Jaxon, and Carter gawked at Nathan.

"Do you know how insane that is? You stole our siblings when you had your own. Get out of here," Jaxon scoffed.

"He stole your siblings?" Isaiah raised a sceptical eyebrow.

"He did! Riv's in love with him. She thinks he's some sort of prince charming or some shit like that," Ryder said as he shoved Nathan in the shoulder one last time for the briefest increase in room. "When do we get to meet this brother? How old is he anyway?"

Nathan grunted, pulled the blanket draped around him even tighter. "Seventeen. He's a junior from Beaumont."

As the days edged closer and closer to November 2nd, the school patriotism had rocketed immensely in everyone's spirits. Up until tonight, I thought it was a surface levelled tension but I recognised my mistake. After listening to the team gossip, it didn't take long for me to figure out the true severity of the feud going on between Monarch and Beaumont. From the minor jabs at the school, to the mockery of the other team, I was excited to watch the outcome of their final game against them.

In a way, Nathan and Matthew's relationship mimicked that of Romeo and Juliet; but for siblings, of course.

"Beaumont?!" Carter echoed. "He's not a part of their team, is he?"

"No. He's an art nerd thanks to Zach over there." Nathan sat himself up before pointing an accusatory finger to Zach. "Yes. My brother grew up to be an exact replica of my ex."