Page 33 of No More Jocks

“If Marcus fucks up, remember there’s a better-looking, more muscular, and much richer version of him that plays in the NFL.”

“Richer and more muscular, but I wouldn’t say better looking. FYI, I have pictures and videos of us in bed having sex, so if you don’t follow through on your word, there will be consequences.”

“Stop playing, Caleb. Are you serious?” I waved at him, walked into the house, and shut the door. I had to apologize to Marcus because I’d made a mistake. I should have been more understanding of his situation. After all, he did risk his future once by standing up for me in the theater.

I walked back into the house, the weight of my conversation with Bradley still heavy on my mind, I was met with the familiar scent of my mother’s cooking. The aroma of garlic and herbs filled the air, a comforting reminder of home. I made my way to the kitchen, where my mother was busy chopping vegetables, her hands moving with practiced ease.

“Hey, Mom,” I said, leaning against the counter.

She looked up and smiled, her eyes softening as she took in my appearance. “Hey, sweetie. How was your day?”

I hesitated, not sure how much to share. “It was...eventful,” I finally settled on.

She raised an eyebrow, pausing in her chopping. “Eventful? That sounds interesting. Want to talk about it?”

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “I broke up with Marcus today.”

“Is this the boy that had you all in your feelings the other day?”

“Yes,” I replied.

Her expression shifted to one of concern. “Oh, honey. I’m so sorry. What happened?”

I recounted the events of the day; from the moment I saw Marcus in the hallway to our conversation in the empty classroom. I told her about my doubts and fears, about the pain I felt at the thought of losing him. She listened intently, her eyes never leaving mine.

When I finished, she set down her knife and wiped her hands on her apron. “Caleb, I know this is hard for you. But remember, love isn’t always easy. Sometimes it requires sacrifice and understanding.”

“I know, Mom. But it’s just so hard. I feel like I’m asking too much from him.”

She nodded, her expression thoughtful. “It’s natural to have doubts and fears. But remember, you deserve to be with someone who loves and respects you. If Marcus is that person, then you need to give him the chance to prove it.”

I sighed, feeling the weight of her words. “You’re right. I just hope it’s not too late.”

She smiled; her eyes filled with warmth. “It’s never too late to fight for what you believe in, Caleb. And I believe in you.”

As I made my way to my room, the familiar comfort of home enveloping me, I knew that I had a long road ahead of me. But I also knew that I was strong enough to face whatever challenges lay ahead. With my mother’s words echoing in my mind, I knew that I could face anything, as long as I had love and determination on my side.

The days that followed were a blur of emotions and introspection. I found myself constantly torn between the desire to reach out to Marcus and the need to give him the space he needed. I spent hours lost in thought, replaying our conversations in my mind, trying to make sense of the whirlwind of feelings inside me.

One evening, as I sat in my room, the soft glow of my lamp casting long shadows across the walls, I found myself drawn to the window. The night sky was clear, the stars shining brightly against the dark canvas. I stared up at the heavens, feeling a profound sense of connection to the universe.

In that moment, I made a promise to myself. I promised to be true to my feelings, to not let fear or doubt cloud my judgment. I promised to fight for what I believed in, to not let the challenges of life deter me from my path. And I promised to be patient, to trust in the power of love and the strength of our connection.

As I stared up at the stars, I knew that Marcus was out there, somewhere, looking up at the same sky. I knew that our paths were intertwined, that our destinies were bound together. And I knew that, no matter what challenges lay ahead, we would find our way back to each other.

With a renewed sense of purpose, I turned away from the window and picked up my phone. I scrolled through my contacts, my heart pounding in my chest as I found Marcus’s name. I hesitated for a moment, my thumb hovering over the call button. But then, with a deep breath, I pressed down, listening as the phone rang, hoping that he would answer.

The call went to voicemail, and I felt a pang of disappointment. But I knew that I couldn’t give up, that I had to keep trying. I left a message, my voice filled with emotion as I poured out my heart, telling him how much I loved him, how much I believed in him, and how much I wanted to be by his side.

As I hung up the phone, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. I knew that I had done everything I could, that I had put my heart on the line and laid my feelings bare. And I knew that, no matter what happened, I would be okay. Because I had love, and I had determination, and I had the strength to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

22

MARCUS

Every time the doorbell rang, I prayed and hoped it was Caleb realizing he’d made a mistake about breaking up with me. Why didn’t I fight harder for him? Why didn’t I grab him and wrap him in my arms tightly and passionately kiss him while we were in that classroom all alone?

I jumped up off the bed and ran down the stairs. I opened the door, but to my disappointment, it wasn’t Caleb. It was someone I didn’t expect: his ex, Bradley. I quickly closed the door, but he put his foot between it to keep me from closing it.

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