Derek hit the tip off, putting the ball in Forge’s possession. James Dooley took the ball down court, and everyone else moved into position for a double curl play. Normally, they would run a triangle or 5 out motion, but both of the ways they ran those plays depended on Jacob shooting three-pointers, and not even Dooley wanted to depend on him during this game. Jacob moved to the wing to wait for Dooley’s pass. He caught it with ease, while Dooley cut to the low post. Jacob dribbled into the paint, then passed to Dooley for the lay-up, while Bret screened Skyline’s defense.  The ball hung on the rim for a second, then fell through the net. The Center for Skyline caught the ball and started driving it to the next basket. Forge was not in a position for full-court press, nor did they have the energy after the loss yesterday, but they did take-up a half court man-to-man. The ball zipped past Jacob, caug

There was no practice Monday morning. There was no point. There would be no more games this year. Jacob tossed his bag against the wall in the lobby outside the gym with the rest of his friends’ backpacks. Bret sat on the other side of the lobby, his arm in a cast, chatting with Colin. When he noticed Jacob looking his way, a dark glare settled over his features. A chill ran down Jacob’s back. He joined Seth, Jessica, and Sarah near the door instead of risking the wrath of his teammates. Sarah was chatting with a couple of other cheerleaders, but grabbed his hand and pulled him to the group when he approached. “Hey, Seth told us you want to go to the movies tonight. What do you want to go see?” Sarah asked. Jacob looked at

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Seth asked. “I’ll be fine. Are you okay?” Jacob ran his thumb along Seth’s bottom lip. “I can’t believe he…” Jacob leaned forward and gently kissed Seth, cradling his head in his hand.“What if she sees?” Seth whispered. Jacob kissed him harder. “What if?”“Aren’t you worried?” Seth asked.“Yeah, of course… but I don’t care.” Jacob said, pulling Seth into a tight embrace. “I want her to see. I want everyone to see. I want them to know you’re mine.” Seth pulled away and looked up at him,

Jacob lay the pamphlets on the bed beside him. What did he have to lose? He would lose Seth. If he went through with the program, he and Seth would be over. It would be for the best. Perhaps he could even go back to his relationship with Sarah. She would understand his situation better than anyone, and could help him through it.  He had promised Seth he didn’t want to leave. He had told Seth he was ready…But that was before. Everything was different now. Jacob thought he had been prepared for his father’s reaction. He thought he had imagined the worst. It was the look in his mother’s eyes that did it. She had always supported him, had always been there for him when he needed her. The sadness and disappointment in her eyes drilled through him. But Seth… 

“What is your boyfriend’s name?” the paramedic asked Jacob.The shock of having someone else say that out loud shook Jacob from his trance. The blond paramedic who had allowed him into the ambulance was sitting across from him with a clipboard while a second paramedic continued to administer emergency aid to Seth. As the sirens blared, the ambulance rumbled over the pavement. “Huh?” Jacob said, dimly as he looked up into the paramedic’s face.“Your boyfriend-” she motioned to Seth on the gurney, “-what’s his name?”“Seth. Seth Thompson,” Jacob said.She scribbled the name on her clipboard. “How old is he?”“Eighteen.” Jacob s