The Captain vs The Quarterback:
"CATCH THE BALL EDMOND!" Coach yells - snapping me out of my daze and drawing my attention to the trajectory of the ball aimed perfectly to land in my arms. I lock my eyes on it, repositioning myself to capture the ball.
The wind leaves my stomach as someone tackles me, the ball falling haphazardly to the ground as I cascade onto the hard, cold earth. I take off my helmet - stunned as I lay on the ground - my confused mind unable to grasp the situation.
"Are you alright bro? You seem a bit off." Mikey asks as he reaches out his hand, pulling me up from the ground. "Your head's not in the game today." I dust myself off, the dirt stains showing homage to Mikey's bulky frame and sheer size.
"Yeah. My mind's somewhere else." I admit as I slide the ball under my armpit and make my way back to the sideline - a slight ache coming from my leg.
"Well if you want to take the stress off, come to our place this weekend. We're having a huge party. Basically the whole city's gonna be there. Even Buckingham's invited, so you know it's gonna be big." I roll my eyes at his inflated ego - a true statement however. "Bring Tralee as well, we have a spare room if you want to do anything. We'll just pretend we don't notice when you two go missing." He nudges my shoulder, winking at me suggestively - I shrug it off, uncertain as to whether I even want her to come.
"Yeah. I'll see. I feel like a drink." I admit, my wandering brain entrapped in a maze of rushing and confusing thoughts.
"Maybe if Tralee finally lets you hit it, you'll actually be able to catch the ball." The whole team erupts into laughter, a wolf whistle coming from the crowd. Recently Tralee's become abstinent, quoting that she needs to 'focus on her studies' or something like that.
"Don't worry boys. I will. That's a promise." Mikey slaps me on the back as we all start making our way back to the locker room.
"Oh. And because the Buckingham football team's gonna be there, if one of the boys recognises the guy who stole our trophy, they'll let you know." I gulp, my mind wandering to Justin.
**********
The cologne spreads across my clothes, my eyes scanning over the mirror as I chug another drink back - each gulp a step into obliviousness. I walk over to the window, looking out into the dark moonlit courtyard - no red jackets in sight. Justin hasn't replied to my messages all week. I guess he just needed a place to crash - and that's all I was to him.
The teddy bear on my desk flashes me back to the weekend prior, its paws wrapped around the heart - flashbacks of the ferris wheel mixed with the scent of carnivals hitting me. I dismiss it, lifting the drink to my lips again - the stress of the week diluting away effortlessly.
My ringing phone pulls me from my lingering gaze - its shrill tone enough to pierce my trance.
I scan over my screen, Unknown caller displayed in big, bold, white letters - a sudden giddiness feeling erupting in my stomach. Is it who I think it is calling me?
"Hello!? I haven't heard from you all week - is everything alright!?" I answer the phone excitedly, pulling it straight to my ear.
"What are you on about baby? We went to dinner yesterday." Tralee's sharp voice screams from the phone.
"Oh it's you." I sigh, somewhat disappointed for an unidentifiable reason.
"Of course it's me silly. Who else would it be?" My silence greets her question as I continue gulping down my can. "Anyways. I just wanted to let you know that I'll be late - I'm just getting ready with the girls - and my phone went flat, so I had to borrow one of theirs." I mumble a response before hanging up, chucking my now empty can into the trash can.
"Fuck it. Let's go wasted." I scream out, swiping the teddy bear into the bin simultaneously - and make my way out of my room - en route to Mikey's flat.
********
The illuminating neon rainbow lights spew out of the house into the dark streets of suburbia, the loud blaring music greeting my ears as I walk across the lawn - littered with a mixture of bottles and cans, as well as someone passed out in the bush.
As I approach the door, Tralee sashays out - stunned to see me.
"Oh hey baby! I guess I showed up early after all!" She squeals, wrapping her arms around my neck and pulling me into a tight embrace.
"Hey. I thought you were getting here late! I'm glad to see you though." We pull apart, our eyes locking together, a smile spreading across my face - whether it's attributed to pure happiness or the alcohol, I don't know.
"Nawwww baby! I'm so glad to see you too! But I've gotta go!" Her lips drop into a pout, mimicking my expression as my own smile vanishes. "Gotta go! Love ya!" She plants a kiss on my cheek before disappearing into the night. Sometimes I think that she likes hanging out with her friends more than her actual boyfriend.
I wipe away my silent doubts, letting my eyes scan over the crowd as I enter into the main area, the familiar aroma of alcohol lingering through the air. I disappointedly stare around the room, a distinctive lack of Riseford students here.
Loud chanting battles against the music, my curiosity leading me to the center of the room - the crowd eagerly watching the beer pong game in the middle.
The chaotic vibes of the room evaporates as my eyes lock on to who's playing the game - Justin. His eyes staring at the cup on the opposite side of him as the ball leaves his hand, eliminating his opponent's final cup. His confident smirk spreads across his cheek as his friends erupt into celebration.
I make my way over to Mikey and greet the team, blending into the crowd surrounding the table.
"AND THERE IT IS! ANOTHER VICTORY! WILL ANYONE BE ABLE TO BEAT THE UNDEFEATED BUCKINGHAM CHAMPIONS AT BEER PONG!?" The DJ announces as the table starts getting reset, the cups reconfigured back into a triangle.
Justin's eyes flick up - the blasting music unable to compete with his enticing gaze - time freezing in mercy of his awe. His confident smirk a silent signal in the boisterous room, his wink going unnoticed by everyone but me.
"I challenge the Captain of the Riseford Football team to a game of a beer pong." Oooohs and aaahs echo around the room - his eyes staring right at me. I nod in acceptance, my team mates cheering me on as I walk to the table, the crowd surrounding us disappearing; obsolete in the presence of Justin.
"Ready to lose?" I scream across the table, the eagle-eyed crowd observing us closely. He saunters over, leaving his side to come stand by me - reaching his hand out and shaking mine.
"Good luck Eddy." He whispers, just loud enough for me to hear. His thumb swipes over my hand before releasing and walking back to his side of the table - a tingling sensation shooting through my hand before I pick up the ping pong ball.
Let's do this.
A/N
Welcome back to another chapter; thank you so much for reading the book, I hope you're enjoying it! It's pretty cute that they're back together in the same environment, especially what happened at the movies; however, I wonder what the outcome of this game will be? ;)
What are your thoughts on the chapter; who do you think will win the game? Let me know in the comments! :D
- YOP
YOU ARE READING
I saw the Captain in his Underwear (BoyxBoy)
Romance"I'm glad we bumped into each other tonight Justin." "Me too Eddy. Me too." As the final words leave Justin's mouth, we drift off into sleep - his arms engulfing me in a blanket of warmth and protection. The alcohol could be affecting my senses ri...
