Chapter 29

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

CARTER

My heart is racing, and my anxiety is through the roof as we wait for all our teammates to enter the locker room.

I really can't see one of our teammates being the one who slashed my tires or told me to stay away from Brendon, but I also don't have a single clue who else it could be, either. The person who is doing this must be unhinged, and none of our friends are like that, but maybe we just don't know some of these people as well as we thought we did.

Once everyone is in the locker room, Coach Ron gets everyone's attention then tells them that Brendon and I have an announcement.

"Hey guys," Brendon starts, and I feel dizzy. "Carter and I wanted you all to know that we are dating." He pauses, grabbing my hand and shooting me a warm smile that melts most of my worries away. He winks at me before turning his attention back to the guys, and I do the same. "We wanted you guys to be some of the first to know since this team is like a family. With that being said, we want to keep our relationship mostly to ourselves and those closest to us for the time being. We would appreciate it if you respected our wishes and didn't tell anyone. We will eventually come out publicly, but we don't know when we will be doing that."

I watch all the guys in the locker room closely, trying to see if anyone seems angry by what Brendon just said. There are lots of shocked faces—which we were expecting—but none appear pissed off like you'd think they would if they were secretly in love with Brendon.

"I didn't know you guys were gay," Mace states with a tilt of his head like he's studying us.

His expression is one of curiosity, not animosity, but the question alone has me wondering if he's possibly the M from the note.

"We're bi, but we didn't really know either until recently," I inform him, keeping my eyes trained on him, looking for any signs that he might be the guy we're looking for.

He pursues his lips, nodding for a moment before shrugging. "I'm happy for you guys, and your secret is safe with me," he says with a big grin, appearing genuine in his response.

Well, that rules him out as a suspect, at least for now.

Our other teammates join in on voicing their acceptance of our relationship and promise to keep our secret. Not one of them seems upset, which causes a mixture of relief and annoyance to rush through my body. I'm happy that our friends are on our side, but I'm also annoyed that we are at another dead end for figuring out who is obsessed with Brendon.

The cops told us that they'll try and figure out who sent the gift basket to Brendon but not all delivery companies keep the best records. I'm trying to keep my hopes up that the company this guy used isn't one of those, but it's hard when everywhere we turn we keep hitting one wall after another. It's beyond frustrating.

"Just a reminder that homophobia of any type will not be tolerated at all," Coach Ron tells everyone in a booming voice. Everyone nods their heads in agreement, and Coach smiles. "Okay, with that announcement out of the way, it's time to get our heads in the game," Coach Ron says, clapping me on the shoulder and tilting his head, silently telling us to take a seat.

Brendon and I nod at him before heading over to a bench with open space, our hands still firmly grasped together.

We might not have found out who's obsessed with Brendon, but at least we have the support of our team and don't have to hide our love from them.

Since today is our first practice of the season, Coach's speech isn't a long one because he mainly wants to get us on the court and there isn't much to discuss yet. That will change after our first game and throughout the rest of the season.

A small amount of anxious energy still courses through my veins as we make our way to the court, but it quickly fades away once I get a ball in my hand and start warming up. There's a chance it will come back after we are done with practice, but at least for the time being, my head is clear.

The whole team is dripping sweat by the time practice is over, except Artie, who just spent the entire time watching us from a bench. I don't think I've ever seen him look so miserable, but I get it. I think I'd be a grouch, too, if all I could do was watch my friends play a sport I love and not be able to take part myself.

Thankfully, his cast comes off at the end of the week, but he'll still have about another four weeks of physical therapy before he's able to play again. I know he's itching to get back on the court with us, and watching us practice all week is going to be pure hell, but he'll be joining us soon enough. His health is what is most important. If that means he needs to take extra time off, then that's what he'll have to do. Of course, he isn't going to like it if that turns out to be the case.

"I think you need to work on your speed," Artie chirps when I make my way over to him. Brendon is busy talking with the coaches, which is something he has to do more often than the rest of us since he's the captain. "You were looking a little slow out there today. Or maybe it's just because you had googly eyes for Brendon." A mischievous grin is on his lips as he talks, letting me know he's joking.

"I'm the slow one?" I ask, looking at his cast then back at his face.

A look of pure shock spreads across his face before he bursts into laughter. "Fuck… That was… a good one." It takes him a moment before he can breathe fully and get himself under control, but I'm thankful that he's no longer moping. "But in all honesty, you all look amazing," he tells me once he can string together a full sentence without having to stop in between.

I sit beside him and clap him on the shoulder. "And you'll be just as good once you're able to join us," I remind him.

He nods, but his smile slips from his face. "Deep down, I know that. But missing so much time with the team is royally going to suck. You'll have already started to gel by the time I'm able to join, and I'm afraid Coach will want to bench me for most of the season."

"You're an amazing player, and missing a couple of games at the beginning of the season is not going to have Coach benching you," I assure him. "But what will fuck everything up is you pushing yourself too hard too soon. You need to take your time once you get out of that cast and listen to the physical therapists. Don't try to go balls to the wall. That will guarantee you a spot on the bench for the entire season. Not because you don't gel with us, but because you'll be injured."

Artie sighs but nods. "I know you're right, but it still fucking sucks."

"I know, but hey, maybe this will be your friendly reminder not to do stupid stuff to impress a girl."

My statement brings the light back to Artie's face, and the corners of his lips turn up. "You'd think that would be the case, but I'm not too sure because my stupidity actually worked. Izzy is fucking amazing, and I'm not sure we'd be dating if it wasn't for me being an idiot."

I chuckle and shrug. "Well, now that you've got the girl, you shouldn't have to do any insane shit to get her attention anymore. As long as you don't fuck things up."

"Believe me. I don't plan on fucking this up," he assures me, and I believe him.

Izzy has been over to our place a few times now and it's easy to see they are both crazy about each other. I could see them being together for the long haul.

Just like Brendon helps balance me, Izzy does the same for Artie. Their personalities complement each other, and they really are the perfect match.

"Oh look, here comes your man," Artie says with a tip of his chin as Brendon saunters over to us.

"How are you doing?" Brendon asks Artie once he reaches us before taking a seat on the bench beside me.

I grab Brendon's hand then lean back so they can continue to talk.

"I'm okay," he replies with a shrug. "Sure hate just being a spectator, though."

"I totally understand that," Brendon tells him, knowing what our friend is going through from firsthand experience. "But you'll be on the court with us before you know it."

Artie nods. "I know. I just wish it was like today," he responds with a grin.

"You get the cast off Friday, right?" Brendon checks.

"Yup. And it can't come fast enough. Are you still able to drive me?"

Brendon nods. "That's the plan. And by then, Carter and I will have both our vehicles in working order."

"I still can't believe someone vandalized your car like that," Artie says to me, shaking his head.

Brendon squeezes my hand as if sensing that my anxiety is rising, and I shoot him a thankful glance.

"I can't believe it happened either," I respond, turning my attention back to him. "I just wish the cops would catch the guy already."

Artie is one of the few people who knows the full details about what's going on, and that's only because he lives with us and could possibly be caught in the crossfire of this crazy person.

"I'll keep my fingers crossed that they find whoever is doing this as soon as possible," he tells us.

"Thanks," I respond with a small smile.

We are going to need all the good vibes we can get because I've got this gut feeling that things are only going to escalate with this guy.