Page 32

CHAPTER 32

MADNESS BY MUSE

Parker Thompson:

I wash every ounce of dirt and grime off of me from the game and even after my second rinse, I still feel like I need to wash myself again. I walk into the locker room that’s still bursting with energy, so loud it’s like a siren is going off in here. When I walk to my cubby, Bellamy and Lawson both shove me and tap me, getting my attention. I smirk to myself and shake my head. I did that. I can be proud of myself for this accomplishment because it is mine. I had help, of course, but I put in the work and I had the desired outcome, thank God.

“You’re going to be a god on campus. This was your moment,” Lawson tells me.

“We all had a moment. The thing that sets us apart. The thing that sets it in stone that we’re starting every game and that we’re going somewhere after we leave here if it’s what we want,” Bellamy tells me.

‘“You were always good, Parks, but this just set you apart. I’ve never in my career run 99 yards in one play. That was…” Lawson shakes his head, not finding words.

“The way you leapt over that player like a fucking gazelle? If I knew your technique would have improved that much I would have asked Bri to do three lessons a week instead of two,” Bellamy jokes and I smile.

“So, are we going to celebrate? Are we going to Haven or—”

“No, I’ve got plans already actually,” I tell them and they exchange a look with each other, then look at me.

“Parker, are you seeing someone?” Lawson asks and I narrow my eyes.

“Why do you ask?” I mumble, pulling my shirt on my body, now in socks, underwear, and a plain white tee.

“Because you’ve spent an exponential amount of time having plans with other people and we know it’s not your roommates, so who is it? You wouldn’t answer in Vegas. I’m not letting you out of this one,” Bellamy asks.

“It could be my roommates. We’ve gotten a lot closer this semester,” I admit, getting slightly defensive.

“And though that’s probably true, I know something is going on. Who?” Lawson asks.

“It’s no one and nothing, just leave it at that,” I fight.

“Just say yes if you’re seeing someone. Say double yes if it’s the girl you hooked up with at the beginning of the semester,” Bellamy asks and I fight the urge to cringe.

This is so weird and he doesn’t even know it. He’ll find out and he’s going to hate me for it. I’m being forced to talk to him about it when he has no idea that I’m talking about his sister. I just nod and don’t speak, knowing if I don’t give an answer I’ll be here all night getting bombarded.

“Oh shit… Is it getting serious?” Lawson asks, sitting on the bench behind me.

“It’s… something,” I say, not wanting to give away any details. I do smile at the thought of us being serious. I want us to work. I need it with her.

“You’re blushing.” Bellamy points out and I shrug.

“Whatever. I like her. What else is there to say?” I ask, trying to play it cool so they don’t continue asking.

“So, you’re seeing her tonight?” Bellamy asks and I nod again, not opening my mouth.

“Thompson!” I whip my head around to Coach Corbin in his office, nodding his head for me to follow. Though I’m scared to go over there, I’m thankful he pulled me out of this conversation.

“He’s not going to get mad at you. There’s no way he can get mad at you after you just kicked ass that hard,” Lawson tells me.

I’m not worried he’s going to yell at me. I’m worried about the fact that he’s calling me into his office in general. We’ve already celebrated this win as a team. He screamed and cheered with us. So, he wouldn’t be calling me into his office for that. I pull my jeans on and pad myself over to his office, no thoughts in my head because if I think too much about it, I’ll panic.

“What’s up, Coach?” I ask and he nods at the chair in front of his desk.

I sit, feeling more nervous than usual in his office and he sighs.

“I’m more than impressed with what you did tonight, Parker,” he tells me.

“Thank you, sir,” I nod.

“I knew you showed promise when we watched your tapes from high school and I've seen payoff from the kid at that school but the person in front of me now and the person who played tonight, is someone who is going to be in the league for a long long time. Longer than I ever managed,” he admits. “You remind me of me… The way you played is the way I used to play. I busted my knees, both of them, and never played again, but you… I wasn’t going to let that happen,” he tells me.

“Thank you for believing in me and helping. Tonight felt… Better than any game before,” I admit.

“And you should celebrate that. You did good, Thompson. I think we both owe your ballet teacher some credit and a lot of thanks too. She seemed to take that job seriously.”

I smile at the mention of her and all the praise from Coach Corbin. I watch his head shake and my smile falters. He rubs his hand over his slightly weathered face and shakes his head with a sigh.

“How long have you had a thing with the Archer girl?” he asks me outright and my jaw opens and hangs slack at the question.

I turn slightly, looking out to see where Bellamy is and Coach clears his throat.

“Bellamy walked out with Lawson a second ago, so answer me, Parks. How long?” He shakes his head at me and I shake mine.

“How did you… I mean, what—”

“I’m not an idiot. The first sign was the fact that I’ve never seen anyone go up to bat for someone the way she did for you tonight. She’s barely reaching 5’5 and came at me like she was taller than Bennet. She drove for you and your confidence boosted with her there. I could have brushed it off as the fact that she helped you with your technique, until I saw you yell at that boy she cheers with. I notice everything. You were to her side before her own brother was, and he might not see what’s going on but I’m not stupid and I’m not blind,” Coach Corbin starts and I just clench my jaw, my body tense.

“You won a huge game for us, and yes, I’m giving you that credit because, after the way you played and the maneuvers you made tonight, you deserve it. You didn’t want the recognition, the hype from your teammates, hell, if there was a trophy you would’ve let it fall to the ground and turn to dust. You wanted her. I watched you ditch the crowd and the team and find her right away. And just now, I have coached you for three years and watched you from the sidelines for longer than that, and not once have I seen you smile… until I mention that girl.”

He crosses his arms now, walking to the front of his desk. He rests back on it but doesn’t sit.

“I don’t know what I’m supposed to say,” I admit.

“You don’t have to say anything. If it’s worth it, if she’s worth it, then go all in. I know you and I know your past. I know how hard all of this has been for you. If this is your one, who am I to stand in the way?” he hesitates to continue and I finally look at him.

“It sounds like there’s a but that should be at the end of that sentence,” I continue our conversation.

“But, I assume Archie doesn’t know…” Coach raises his eyebrows at me.

“She didn’t want to tell him yet, sir,” I admit.

“I won’t let a girl come between my team even if that girl is as tough and good as she might be. Tell him before you end up ruining something here and however he reacts is on him. Don’t bring that on my field. Archer is going to win The Heisman this year. I’m sure of it, which is a very high honor. I’m not letting that be tainted by this little love spell you and his sister have. If it’s the real deal, if it’s that important, then he needs to know. Understood?” Coach Corbin asks me.

“I understand,” I nod.

“Do it on your own time. I’m sure it will be tough but it needs to happen,” Coach Corbin tells me and I nod.

“I wanted to tell him before I took her on the first date, sir. I just wanted to respect her wishes,” I admit.

“You’re a good guy, Parker. She’s lucky to have you and vice versa. I do think it’s more important that all parties are aware,” he tells me.

“But Bellamy isn’t a party that’s even slightly involved in this relationship. His friendship with me is separate from his relationship with his sister,” I argue.

“But to him, it doesn’t feel that way. It feels like a betrayal. It’s not a good idea hiding something like this. He’s a big brother. He feels like it’s his job to protect her. He’ll feel like he failed the second he learns one of his close friends is with his sister. You just need to prepare for the blowup and do it soon,” Coach instructs me.

“Why are you giving me advice?” I ask.

“Because I said I saw myself in you, Parker. You’re a good kid who has had a challenging life and I think you deserve all this good, but you can’t get it while lying and sneaking around. I promise. I’m looking out for my team, yes, but I was never lucky enough to have my own kids. So all of you, that’s what it feels like sometimes like I have to look out for you when no one else will. I know every part of you. Archer lost his parents. Bennet’s dad skipped out. You never… You’ve only had coaches step in and be that figure for you. If I can help, I'm going to try,” he tells me and I nod.

“Thank you, sir,” I nod and he does too.

“Go celebrate tonight. You deserve it.”

Coach claps my shoulder and I smile to myself as I walk out of the office. I’ll deliberate and decipher everything he said to me in there soon. I’ll ponder on it and think about how to talk to Brianne about it but right now, the only goal I have is to find her and take her and all our friends out. I want to celebrate myself for the first time in my life.

* * *

Xander, Nico, and Andrew piled into the car with me and we all drove together to celebrate. Not to Haven, of course, because that’s where Bellamy and Lawson are going to be which is exactly why I can’t be there. It’s also why I don’t want to be there. I don’t have to force the way I feel. I just feel it all. Elated, excited, happy. I’m just… in awe of everything that happened tonight. I don’t know how to wrap my head around that considering I did it. I’m happy because of something I did.

“Did you ask Bri if Leah is going to be here?” Xander asks.

“Dude, what is going on with you and her?” Andrew asks.

“Nothing is going on with me and her… Yet.” He tells us with a smirk.

“You’re delusional. Maybe you should get some advice from Bellamy on how to handle a maneater of a woman. Leah Ashley is all bite. She’s mean,” I tell him.

“She is not mean. She’s blunt. There’s a difference,” Xander argues.

“So you like her?” I ask.

“I like the idea of her,” he tells us.

“So, what’s going on?” Nico asks.

“Like I said, nothing yet. I’m just… trying,” he explains.

“You’re insane,” Andrew shakes his head.

“Dude, you can’t get your girl to commit to you,” Xander argues.

“It’s not about commitment. I have my own issues, okay? It’s not all her. Diana is coach Roberson’s daughter and—”

Instantly, Xander smacks his chest.

“What the fuck did you just say?” he asks, completely interrupting Andrew.

“There’s no way…. Andrew, you’re fucking the coach’s daughter?” Nico asks.

“We haven’t… I mean, we… No, but… It’s really complicated,” he answers but Xander’s face is red as he looks at Andrew.

“I need you to say that again. Diana… The girl you’ve been bringing around for at least two months now… Is Coach Roberson’s daughter? And you never wanted to tell us this information? What the fuck, dude!” Xander raises his hands and Andrew shrugs.

“You two are a mess,” I mumble.

“You’re dating your best friend's sister and he doesn’t know. And yes, Bellamy is one of your best friends at this point whether you want him to be or not. In getting closer to Bri, you’ve grown closer to him too,” Xander fights.

“Shut up,” I grumble. “Don’t put me in a shitty mood.”

“Well, we’re here, so there’s no more time for me to try, unfortunately. You also never answered my question. Is Leah coming?” Xander asks.

“Why don’t you text her and ask?” I look at him as we park.

“Um… I think I’m blocked” he admits and I howl with laughter.

He’s a lovesick puppy dog. I’m in shock, mostly because Xander is team captain. He’s the head man. The stories I’ve heard about puck bunnies and ice groupies… I’m just surprised.

“You’re down bad…” I press my lips together and nod.

“So are you,” he argues.

“I can admit it. You, on the other hand, are in denial,” I tell him and get out of the car.

I watch as Xander turns his attention back to Drew.

“I’m not done interrogating you. You have a lot of shit to spill and—Wait, hey, Parks wait,” Xander stops me.

“What’s up?” I ask, climbing back into the car.

“What’s going on with you and Bri? Is it serious? You didn’t correct me when I called her your girlfriend…” he tells me and both Nico and Andrew are leaning forward between the seats.

“I asked her to be my girlfriend and she said yes…” I tell them.

“So she’s your first girlfriend? Like a real girlfriend?” Andrew is smiling at me.

“Yeah… She is,” I smile with closed lips and look at all three of them.

“And have you two… consummated the relationship?” Nico asks and I roll my eyes.

“Nico…” I glare at him. But all of my friends look at me expectantly. “Oh come on, are you guys seriously asking me that?” I shake my head and look out of the window.

Silence is loud in the car and I groan.

“No, we haven’t. Not that it’s any of your business, but I really care about her and how she feels and I don’t want her to think that sex is the most important thing to me because it’s not. We’ve done other stuff, just not sex,” I tell all three of them.

“But, you really want to?” Xander asks.

“I’m a guy… and you’ve seen her and how perfect she is, obviously I want to,” I answer quicker than I even expected from myself. My mouth spoke faster than my mind.

“You love her, don’t you?” Andrew nudges me with his elbow and I shake my head.

I don’t even know how to love someone… Or what it would look or feel like. I’ve never had that, not in any form. The closest would be coaches growing up and even that feels wrong to claim. So no. I’m not sure what I feel is love. I have this picture in my head that I’ll know. There will be something special or defining that will show me that I do feel more for her than I had thought and I have no doubt that I will… But I don’t think I can call this love… Yet.

“I don’t think so… Yet. But she’s… Guys, she’s really important to me,” I admit.

Maybe this conversation feels easy because I’m hyped up on adrenaline still or maybe I’ve finally moved past feeling awkward with the three people surrounding me. They know enough about me that it would be pointless to even try to hide any of it, especially with Bri. She’s a staple now, just like they are. Tonight I get to treat her like my girlfriend in public for the first time since she said yes. Not behind closed doors, in dance studios, or on the phone—it’s real and in my hands…