Page 27 of Forged Forever

The championship basketball tournament is in Charleston this year on Saturday and Sunday. We’re crashing at Alex’s house tonight, so my duffel bag is in the back of my Jeep, as I drive to pick up Bay Saturday morning for the first game. After saying hello to David and Olivia, we’re off across the bridge. Alex is waiting for us outside the gym doors. “Good morning, Alex,” I greet with a hug.

“Morning. Troy is inside already.” He and Bay keep me between them after we hand over our tickets and make our way into the stands. Scouts are sitting in the home team’s section, and I recognize both Charleston and USC. I take a seat in front of Troy with Bay beside me. Saying hello, we don’t get to chat as the lights dim and the teams are announced. There are plenty of Mt. Pleasant fans in the stands, our voices as loud as the home team section when our guys enter the court.

Seb riles up his teammates for the game, bouncing around them, causing me to smile. I wave to him when he makes eye contact, a grin and eyebrow wiggle following.

The first game is a good matchup. We keep ahead throughout the entire game, but only by a few points. Seb is shining out there, both scoring and getting assists. He and E are a well-oiled machine, and we win by 8 points.

We have two hours before our team plays again, so Seb and E join us as the next game's starting. I ask Hurry to follow me out to my Jeep to check in with Jake. Seb is still riding the high after his win, humming and swinging our arms as we walk to the vehicle.

Cranking the A/C against the unusually hot day when I get in, I video call Jake. “Morning, Sum,” Jake smiles.

“Good morning, handsome. Seb is here with me.” I put the phone on the dash as Seb leans closer.

“Hey man. We won our first game, and the scouts are in the stands.” They chat about the game as I sit and listen to my two best friends talk sports. Half an hour later, we let him go to do his stretches with Will.

Leaning over the console, Seb tangles his fingers in my hair and kisses me. I get lost in his touch until someone slaps the hood of the car. Breaking apart, I see a group of teens laughing as they make their way to the gym. “Oops. Bad place to make out, Hurry.”

“Mm hmm. I can’t wait for tonight, Sunshine. Let’s go back inside.” Grabbing the granola bars I forgot this morning, we walk back to join our group. Handing E the container, we chat about random things until E and Seb need to join their team for game two.

I get to see Gabby cheer before this game, and the squad has improved since the beginning of the season. All the extra hard work has paid off. Troy tells me they don’t expect to place this year in the state competition, but that the squad will be the same next year, so Gabby is hoping for some scholarship money.

Game two is a wash. Our guys are so much better that the second line plays more than Seb and E, and we still win by 15 points.

We decide to have lunch at a sandwich shop nearby, and Troy and Gabby are going to join us. Once Seb and E return, we split into two vehicles and drive over. Troy escorts Gabby and me to the washroom before we order, and I text Dad as we wait for our food. He’s working this afternoon and evening at a gala, but is hoping to make the championship tomorrow.

We enjoy a leisurely lunch, in no rush to return, as the boys don’t play again until 4pm. With three hours to kill, Troy drives Gabby and me to a sports store that’s having a clearance sale while the guys drive back to the gym. I purchase two pairs of shorts and a package of socks, and Gabby finds a few cute tops.

I toss the shopping bag into the trunk of my Jeep when we get back and grab my bag. I settle in between Bay and Alex in the stands to finish my AP History project while we wait for the 4pm game.

Game three is a fast-paced, aggressive whirlwind, and a player on the opposing team fouls out of the game before halftime. I’ve never seen that happen before, and neither have Troy and the guys. Seb is controlling the pace well, but this team is vicious. “Alex, is this the team that hurt Seb last year?” I lean closer to ask him.

“I believe so,” he nods, not taking his eyes off the action. Well, damn. As the buzzer blows to signal the end of the first half, Jonathan is completing a layup. A player E’s size blocks the ball while also hitting Jonathan. He uses his fist to slam the ball downwards, connecting with Jonathan’s bicep, and we watch him crumple as the ref blows his whistle.

A technical foul is called as Jonathan stands, holding his arm. Not great timing with the scouts here. He leaves the court on his own, so hopefully he’s okay.

We clap for Gabby as her squad does a pyramid routine while the players rest and discuss strategy.

Jonathan walks back onto the court with his arm wrapped for the second period. He’s back out on the court with Seb and E on the starting lineup and seems to be okay. It was his right arm that was punched, and he’s left-handed.

Two more players from the other team foul out before the game ends. Our team looks battered, but we win. I get E’s attention after the buzzer sounds, handing him a travel-sized bruise cream to give to Jonathan. Creams and herbs have become staples in my backpack since last year.

We drive to Alex’s house after Seb and E are ready to leave. There’s a party tonight, but like last year, the basketball team isn’t allowed to go. Alex invited Jake to spend the night with us yesterday, but he declined. I think Jake's uncomfortable staying away from home yet. He's going to attend the championship game tomorrow with Dad, Ray, and Will, though.

Once Seb and E shower, Alex orders dinner and we sit around the living room to wait for the pizza to arrive. E has a bruise forming on his cheek, and Seb has one on his thigh. Anticipating they might get injured, I grab the extra bruising cream and bag of herbal mix from my duffle bag. “Here, guys.” I pass the container to E. “Put that on your bruises before they get worse. Use the herbs in the tub if you need to.”

“Thanks, Sunshine.” Seb smiles at me. His eyes look tired, but his body is still twitchy, as if he has too much energy. He reminds me of Nick after his MMA fights. Grumpy, I miss you.

They each grab a dollop and work it into their skin. Alex passes out water bottles while Bay grabs the game controllers. “What’s Penny up to tonight, Bay?”

“She’s going to the party.” Bay rummages through the games, looking for something interesting. Hmm. I’m happy he chose to spend the weekend with us, but I hope everything's okay.

We soak in the hot tub after dinner while Seb swishes the bag of herbs through the bubbling water. Not sure it will do any good in a hot tub, but it won’t hurt.

Seb and E want to turn in early tonight, so after getting my shower, I hop into bed as E and Seb get ready. Seb comes galloping out of the bathroom, eyes glittering in the low light of the lamps. “Sunshine,” he sings, pouncing on top of me.

“Oof. Damn Hurry.”

He leans closer until his mouth is touching my ear. “I have a question. I want sex.”