Page 58 of Away Game

“Probably in the morning.” He looked out to my dark yard. “I know you have to work, and Oz wants to hang out with his family, so that doesn’t leave me with much to do.”

There was, but I wasn’t going to argue with him over it.

“I want you to know, I didn’t answer because I went to hang out with E and didn’t take my phone. I needed time. I would have sent you a message in the morning or called after I got off work.”

“I told you I’d fuck up. I am an asshole after all.” He chuckled as he made his way down the steps.

“But you’re my asshole.”

“Until you won’t have me.”

I had a feeling that would never happen.

24

Fin

“Did you hear the news?”Oz asked as he sat down across from me at the library.

I didn’t normally hang out there, but with the team not having practice, the house was too loud for me to concentrate and write my paper.

Saving my document, I closed my laptop and looked at him with an I have no clue what you’re talking about look.

“The Dean finally made his decision on what those Alpha Mu fuckers did to West,” he spoke quietly, but his words were still growled out in anger.

“What’s the verdict?” I wasn’t sure there was anything that would seem like justice was served after what they’d done to West.

“Alpha Mu is no more. They’re disbanded from this school, and all the guys have this weekend to move out of the house. I guess they’re giving it to someone else, and they can move in almost immediately. How awesome is that?”

Leaning forward, I quietly said. “It’s pretty good, but I’d still like to see the ones responsible expelled.”

“Unfortunately, no one would confess to being the leader or the one who slipped him the drug.” Oz picked up my pen and started to tap it on the table as he looked around like he’d never been in the building.

“He should have come to this conclusion before Winter Break started.” I turned to see a group of the Alpha Mus sitting a few tables down from us. I narrowed my eyes at them. “They’re a bunch of fucking cowards. If given the chance, I’m going to kick their asses.” Since they were still going to be at school, now that they been disbanded, I had a feeling they’d be worse to West if they could get away with it.

“I’ll be right there with you. I think they’ve had other complaints about them, but it was your video that finally stuck the nail in the coffin for them.”

“Good, I’m glad it was us who took them down. How’d you know I was here?” I asked as Oz continued to fidget in his seat. I could feel his damn leg bouncing through the table.

“I saw West after I heard, and he said you were trying to finish writing your paper here.” He waggled his eyebrows at me. “How are things going between you two?”

“Believe it or not, but things are going strong.” After our talk during winter break, West and I realized we needed to communicate better even if we think the other won’t like what we have to say.

I felt as if I found the person who was right for me, and it didn’t matter what sex they were. It felt good to feel this way.

“I still can’t believe you’re in a relationship, but I can say it’s damn good to see you happy.”

“It’s nice to feel happy. With my dad no longer breathing down my neck with his unending disappointment, being out from under his scrutiny, and having people accept me for who I am is a foreign but good feeling.”

“It’s how you should have grown up feeling. You know I’d accept you even if you told me you wanted to fuck a blue alien.” He laughed under his breath.

“Good to know,” I grinned at him but contained my laughter.

“Well, I’m going to get out of here and get something to eat,” Oz stood abruptly. “I’ll see you back at the house later.” Before I could respond, he was gone. I wondered what that had been about. Oz had been acting stranger since he’d gotten back from break, but he’d yet to open up to me no matter how often I told him he could. Especially after he’d been so accepting of me.

After hearing the news of Alpha Mu’s demise, I couldn’t concentrate any longer. I pulled out my phone and texted West.

Fin: I heard the good news.

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