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quinn

J T is playing like a man with a point to prove out there on court and I am so proud of him. I’m proud that he was able to put everything behind him tonight and get out there and play like this for his team. He’s scrambling for every loose ball, hitting his shots like he’s got an inbuilt hoop sensor, and just generally destroying the opposition.

I’m still inwardly seething at his parents for letting him down so badly tonight. It’s probably good I don’t have anything to do with them because I doubt I’d be able to hold my tongue and not give them a piece of my mind for the way they treat their son. Like he’s an afterthought instead of the main event.

It took me a long time to get over being abandoned by my father as a ten-year-old kid. I’ve come to accept I only ever had one parent I could rely on, but I also know my mum would never let me down the way JT’s parents have let him down. I’m fucking furious at them.

On the plus side, I really did not mind playing the hero for JT tonight. Maybe I have a bit of a saviour complex. Although I’m pretty sure that’s reserved solely for the boy who is making my heart pound just a little harder as he brings the ball down from defence and puts up the sweetest three pointer.

I’m so focused on JT that I don’t notice someone slipping into the seat beside me until the very last second. I glance over to find a man watching me curiously, something familiar about his eyes.

“You must be Quinn.”

“I am.”

“I’m Alec,” he continues with an easy familiarity, holding his hand out for me to shake. “Trey’s dad. And JT’s uncle.”

“Oh. Nice to meet you,” I reply a little more warmly.

“It was good of you to bring JT out to the game tonight,” he continues, moving his focus back to the court. “We’d be struggling out there without him.”

“He’s playing great,” I offer. I’ve never really done the whole sports banter thing, and I hope JT’s uncle is not expecting a technical exchange on the game.

“Trey told me what happened tonight,” Alec grumbles. “JT’s dad is my brother. They’re not … the easiest to deal with.”

“I’m getting that impression.”

“JT doesn’t have the easiest time of it at home,” he says, an air of caution in his words. “We try and be there for him when we can, but David and Pen can be very inflexible and singular minded. I know it doesn’t seem it, but their intentions are always good, I need you to understand.”

I nod, not sure what to add to the conversation. I don’t want to lay into JT’s parents even though I think they probably deserve it. I don’t care about their ‘good’

intentions either if JT is always the one suffering in the fallout.

“Things won’t be easy,” Alec continues. “You know, if you and my nephew continue …” He doesn’t provide any further clarification, but his words tell me he knows enough about me and JT.

“I know,” I tell him, fixing my eyes back on the game where JT is heading to the free-throw line. “He’s worth it though,” I add because I need JT’s uncle to know I’m not walking away from him just because things might not be easy.

Alec looks across at me, appreciation in his gaze. “We agree,” he says. “And I’ve gotta say I’m glad my nephew has someone like you in his corner. He needs it.”

Alec’s words hit me somewhere in my gut and I shift in my seat. I’ve never sought out other people’s good opinion, but I have to admit I like having the approval of someone so important to JT. I know I’m not going to get it from his parents but it’s nice to know there are still people who love him regardless.

“And listen, we’d love the chance to get to know you better,” Alec continues, oblivious to the way his words have affected me. “My wife Billie just adores JT. She is desperate to meet you.”

“I didn’t realise any of JT’s family actually knew about us,” I have to admit.

Alec chuffs. “Yeah, sorry if I came across a bit full on. We can be a bit over the top in our branch of the Sterling family but it comes from a good place.”

“It’s okay. I don’t mind being open about me and JT, but I don’t know how he feels about it.”

“Well, JT knows what we’re like. Fits in really well with us too for that matter.”

“I’m glad he has supportive family like you.”

“Yeah,” Alec agrees, expression clouding. “I have a feeling he might be needing us even more when word gets out about you two. But I don’t want you to worry about that. We’ll handle the family. Just know that JT has the love and support of the rest of us behind him.”

“Good to know.” We’re silent for a few minutes as Trey and JT team up to do some more impressive damage to the opposition and I find myself smiling. They really are good together, like they know each other’s game so well it’s almost impossible to defend against.

“I’ll let you watch the game in peace,” Alec says, shooting me a smile before returning to where he is sitting with a group of team parents. I watch him leave, feeling a pang that JT’s parents aren’t over there with them, cheering on their boys on court. He deserves better.

And I’m going to be the one to make sure he gets it. I’m going to make sure he has someone in his corner for every game he plays for the rest of his life.

The Sterling boys decimate the opposition and the Dukes walk away with a good win. I’m happy because winning makes JT happy and tonight has made me realise just how important that is to me.

JT is hot and sweaty, his face still pink from the game as I make my way down to the court, friends and family celebrating the win with the team.

“Well done,” I say to him, pleased to see the way his eyes light up when he looks at me.

“Couldn’t have done it without you,” he answers. Trey is suddenly there between us, one arm draped around both our shoulders, like we’re best friends all of a sudden.

“The Dukes are ever in your debt, Dayton,” he says, big grin bouncing between us. I make a noncommittal sound, not really caring for the Dukes’ gratitude — other than that of their number one player. I can think of about seven ways he can show his particular gratitude to me. “You have to come celebrate with us tonight, yeah?”

I have not ever once in all my years of schooling been invited to hang with the cool kids and I’m kind of amused that I am now. But I share a glance with JT, and he seems pleased by the idea, so I agree to go join the celebrations. I know I shouldn’t hold their best player to ransom even though a very big, very selfish part of me wants to get him home and stripped naked in my bed.

I can be patient though.

We’re on the other side of town from Evergreen so we end up at Milky Way, a 24-hour burger and shake joint that’s actually pretty cool. It’s the kind of place with enormous murals of famous faces on the walls, and the kind of place that doesn’t mind having twenty loud and hyped-up teenagers take over the entire back half of the restaurant.

I’ve always thought of Trey Sterling as a bit of an attention seeking buffoon, but he turns out to be a little bit okay. He’s still an attention seeker and way too loud for any single human being, but he’s actually kind of funny in a non-ironic way. I find myself more amused than peeved by him. He also gets the very, very big tick in his column of being JT’s cousin and I know he loves Trey very much — so I am intent on at least making an effort.

I think there’s a little confusion amongst the crew about why I am suddenly turning up at the Dukes’ games and after match celebrations, but nobody comes out and says anything. So I just ignore the confused glances or the way Chanel looks at me with curious eyes or the way Vince scrunches up his nose as he scrutinises where I am sitting very close to JT. If JT were open to it I’d hold his hand in front of them all. Hell, I’d kiss him and not blink an eye. But I know this is not my call to make so I leave that for him to decide. I’ve been dealing with this for years, not weeks like he has.

It’s not as though JT is doing anything to encourage the rumours or speculation about us, but he’s also not exactly doing anything to dampen them either. He has no issues squeezing into the seat beside me, thigh pressed up to mine, shoulders bumping. He doesn’t stop me from buying him a milkshake or from sharing a bowl of chips. He had no issues arriving in the same car as me even though he could have gone with Trey.

JT’s friends are very different from mine, but I can also see where he fits in with them. He’s not as loud or as arrogant as most of them but he matches their energy and sense of humour. I don’t mind seeing him in this environment. The two of us have been living in our own little bubble but it’s good to remember we’re both still teenagers who need lives and interests outside of each other.

There’s enough going on around us that nobody is paying attention when I lean into JT’s ear. I like the way he automatically inclines his head towards me.

“Have I socialised with the cool kids for long enough?” I ask. He smiles as he glances across at me.

“What else did you have in mind?” he asks innocently.

“Oh, not much. Maybe just you and me, your dick down my throat.” JT coughs out a laugh, his cheeks pinking up as he glances around to make sure no one is listening to our conversation. They aren’t. I already made sure of that.

“Are you trying to make me blush?” he returns.

“I think that’s an unavoidable outcome with you, sweet,” I grin.

“Right, well you’ve succeeded,” he replies with a little huff that is patently adorable. “But back to your original question, yes I do believe we’ve socialised long enough.”

“Should we slink away into the night or do you want to do a big farewell?”

“Let’s just get up and go,” he returns, nodding in the direction of the door. So that’s what we do and it’s not too long a drive before we’re back home and I can put into practice my naughty words to JT. We only make it halfway up the stairs before I’m on my knees beneath him, his pants around his ankles and hand twisting in my hair.

Now this is the kind of team celebration I can get fully behind.