Page 3 of Make the Play
“So how were tryouts?” Theo asks when he’s finished making heart eyes at Alec.
Jason brightens, both at Theo’s attention returning to him and the welcome change of conversation. “They were good. I’ve got a handful of returning players so we’re gonna have a solid start. We lost a couple amazing seniors, though, so it’s gonna be tough to fill in all the gaps on my starting line.”
“Think you guys will take it all the way to state?” Theo asks.
“Hard to say with my starting cornerback and receiver off to UCLA this year.”
Theo whistles and Jason nods. The difficulty of high school sports is how rapidly the lineup changes. No matter how good his starting line is, it’s never forever.
“I’m sorry, Jason. That’s rough.”
“It’s all good, you know I love a challenge. Besides, some of the kids who tried out were pretty good. Sanchez and Smith both tried out again, which is a no-brainer since they were on my reserve last year. They never made it off the bench, but they showed up to every practice and game without complaint. They’re hungry for it this year.”
“You’re going to start them, aren’t you?” Theo asks.
“Hell yeah.” Jason smiles. “Aside from them, well, a few of the other players were in rough shape but that happens. You know as well as I do how easy it is to go soft after seven weeks of summer if you slack on training. We even had a couple freshmen who puked on day one. They didn’t make it through to the last day, but some of the newbies really held their own. They’re green as fuck, but I like their dedication.”
“You always did love an underdog.”
“I like an opportunity,” Jason corrects. “Every player has something to offer.”
“Spoken like the head coach of state champions.”
“Cheers to that.” Jason grins, still not over his team making it all the way last year. It’d been a bright spot amongst the stress of Alec’s accident and recovery last year and the realization that his best friend was apparently dating his youngest brother.
It means a lot that Theo understands how much this team means to Jason. He’s not just the coach. He teaches these kids and he loves it. Watching some of them live out their dreams feels damn good, as does having the privilege to help them do it.
“We should talk,” Theo says.
With three little words, Jason’s good mood evaporates.
“Oh no,” Jason groans. “Please don’t tell me something bad happened between you and Alec. If you two ever break up, I might die. Then you’d have my death on your hands. Do you really want that?”
“You and Alec are both so goddamn dramatic,” Theo snorts. “We just got engaged, we’re not breaking up. Besides, you know how I feel about him.”
Jason exhales a heavy breath, nodding. When he reaches for his beer, he’s surprised to find it empty. Before he can try and get another one, Theo is passing over his own half-full can.
“Thanks.” Jason leans back and stretches his long legs out, resting his feet on the arm of Theo’s chair. “So what’s up then?”
“It’s about you.”
“Me?” Jason frowns. “What about me?”
“Are you happy?”
“What the hell are you on about? I’m always happy.”
“Happy like I was happy?” Theo pushes and Jason wishes he could be mad at Theo for seeing through his bullshit.
“Look, I’m ninety-five percent happy, alright?”
Theo looks the opposite of happy, his face pinching up in a familiar expression. “Last month at Alec’s birthday you said?—”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Jason interrupts. “We do not need to bring that up. Consider that a momentary lapse in judgment.”
“I’m serious, Jason. You’ve been there for me through all my bullshit. Let me do the same for you.”
“Fuck you very much,” Jason grumbles. Theo is the only one who can pull that shit with him and have it work, something he damn well knows. He scrubs a hand over his face, the prickle of his three day beard rough and scratchy. He really does need to shave.
