Tales of the Underground: Velocity - 33. Chapter 33

Under Ground Aliases

The Reaper- Jamie Free

Velocity- Elijah Warren

Gears- Jacob Palmer

Gizmo- Matty Sanders

*The boys use these to guarantee no one outside the underground finds their real identities*

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As the workout wound down so did the rest of my worries. It seemed as though the ache of my muscles was replacing the racing of my mind. It’s funny, it’s only been 2 workout session and I already feel like I’ve learned so much from Jax.

“Jamie, why don’t you stay for dinner tonight?” Nia called out as I got my stuff together

“No thanks” I said with a smile “I should be getting home to my family”

“Oh yeah? Got a big family?” she asked making conversation

“Yup, I live with my 4 sisters and my dad.” I saw her raise an eyebrow wondering about my mom, a look I was far too familiar with when talking about my family. I guess Jax hadn’t filled her in too much on my life, but she knew better than to ask.

“Catch you tomorrow night buddy” Jax said patting me on the back “I’m gonna go shower before dinner” he said looking towards his wife.

“Bye big man” I replied, he made a face and began to walk away

Nia watched him as he made his way up the stairs and out of ear shot “You know he cares about you right?” she said directing her attention towards me

I couldn’t help but be taken back “What?” I forced out

“He looks at you as a little brother, maybe even as a second son.” I heard her voice begin to break a little “After our son, passed away he just wasn’t himself anymore. He and Jordan had a bond that was closer than anything I’ve ever seen, you name it and they did it together. He took the job he has now to escape his life. It was easier for him to work all night and sleep all day then to deal with the reality of what’s happened. At first he was scared to interact with you, he would watch you from a distance, hoping you would be safe. Then one day you got moved up, and started talking to him. The more time he got to spend with you and your friends the lighter the burden he bears got.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing “Why are you telling me all this?” I said unsure of what was happening

“So that you know when you’re with him you’re safe. I’m not sure of all of the details that go into what you guys do every night, nor do I approve of you putting yourself in danger but I do know because of you I’m starting to have my old Jason back. Nothing can replace what he and I have lost, but having you around every now and then can help us fill in the gap a little.”

The sudden outpouring of affection hit me harder than I anticipated “Thanks” I stuttered “I can understand the pain, I lost my mother a few years ago. It’s been hard.” I could feel my own voice begin to break “but having all my friends around…having Eli around…I’m getting there.”

She reached out and gave me a big hug “I’ve heard a lot about Eli from Jason. I still remember seeing you both when we ran into each other at that restaurant. We may have been watching from a distance, but boy was he proud to see you happy. You and Eli are welcome to come visit us whenever.”

I broke away from the hug knowing it was time to go “Thanks Nia” I said grateful for her sudden love “I really needed to hear something like that today”

“Anytime” she said ruffling my hair “Just be safe, if anything happened to you, well I don’t know how Jason would take it.”

I drove home slow that night, still reflect and absorbing everything she had to say. The worry of letting Jason further into my life all but disappeared and thoughts of having him around to be there for me took their place. As I pulled up to my old rickety house I couldn’t help but laugh, I wonder what the hell my parents were thinking when they bought this place, Nia and Jason’s seems like a fantasy compared to this one. I made my way up the small cracked driveway and into the weird tiny courtyard we had outside our door. I could hear my sisters yelling and laughing on the other side and immediately snapped out of the daze I was in. This house may not be perfect, but it’s ours, and like it or not, it always will be. The rest of the night went fast. I spent most of it in my own head, trying to solve every problem my mind would make up and throw at me. As I woke up for school I went along with my normal routine and made it through the day just fine. Stephanie avoided me completely, while Jacob walked on eggshells to try and please us both. It was actually pretty fun to get to push him about it. I could tell he really cared for her, and yet didn’t want to ruin his other relationships because of it. As the day finally began to come to an end I cornered Eli. I could feel my anxiety rise, I’ve spoken to him thousands of times, why am I so nervous to tell him to relax a bit.

I stared at that perfect clean cut blond hair of his and watched as his lively blue eyes darted around as he gathered his stuff from his locker. “So what did you want to talk about babe?” he asked in the most innocent tone.

My heart began to race, I don’t want to upset him, but at the same time I feel like I need to stop this before it goes any farther. “I think you need to slow down a little with everything.”

Eli tilted his head and gave me a weird look “Like with our relationship?”

“No, no, no” I stuttered “Like with everything else.”

“I don’t understand” he said confused by what I was trying to get at

“Like I feel like you’re trying to act tougher then you are.” I blurted out

Eli rolled his eyes “Is this because I gave you that radio?”

“No…well yeah, but also because you’re fighting with Stephanie and…”

“This is such a double standard” Eli said interrupting me “You can stay out late in the black market, and run from police, but the second I do anything bad, no matter how small you yell at me.” I saw his frustration begin to grow

“That’s the whole thing though” I said reaching out and stroking his face “I’m reckless, and stupid. I’ve always done dumb and dangerous things, but at the end of the day you’ve always been there to bring me back down. It’s so unlike you to do anything like this, and it may be small details right now, but what happens if they grow into something big. I don’t want to be the reason you don’t talk to your dad, or the reason people don’t look at you the same.” I felt his intensity calm down “I don’t want to fall and take you down with me.”

Eli reached out and grabbed onto my hand “You don’t have to worry about that. All my choices have been my own. I’m not trying to keep up with you, and you’re not making me do anything I don’t want to. Sure, you’ve made me a little tougher, but that’s a good thing! Maybe I shouldn’t have taken that radio, but I just want you to be safe. If something ever happened to you, I don’t know what I would do, or who I would become.” He looked deeply into my eyes “If it makes you feel better, I’ll keep trying to make things work with my dad, but I can’t promise anything.”

I nodded “Just don’t lose who you are to save me.” I leaned my forehead against his “I’m not worth it.”

“Why don’t you let me decide that” he teased giving me a kiss

A teacher walked by and cleared his throat to remind us where we were. We both pulled away and straightened up.

“So I’ll see you at my game tonight right?” Eli said changing the subject

“What game?” I teased, playing stupid

“Not funny” he said reaching out and shoving me

“I’ll give you a ride home tonight okay? I may even bring a surprise guest”

Eli narrowed his face “Who?”

“It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you, now would it?” I teased beginning to walk away

“Jamie!” he whined “Tell me!”

“See you at the game” I said turning to look at him one last time before tonight “I love you”

“Love you too” he groaned turning his attention back to his locker

When I got home I immediately got to work on all the homework I’ve been missing. I want all of tonight’s focus on Eli and nowhere else. I can’t afford to have my mind drifting off and worrying about something else. As the clock wound down I felt a combination of nerves and excitement fill me, it was as though I could feel exactly what Eli was thinking. As I made my way towards the rink that feeling only grew. Racing heart, sweaty palms and yet a small shot of adrenaline, it was like I was going to be the one on the ice. I’m not sure when we formed this bond, but it’s the closest I’ve ever felt to anyone in my life. It was as though our souls had become intertwined.

As I walked up to the familiar arena I saw Jason waiting outside. I couldn’t help but laugh at the look on his face. It had looked as though someone had injected him into a whole new situation he had never been subjected to before.

“What’s going on Jason?” I said shaking his hand

“Jamie” he nodded back

I looked closely at how he was dressed. He was wearing a big puffy jacket and thick blue jeans “You know we’re just watching a hockey game, not going to Alaska right?” I teased

“Yeah but isn’t it cold in a hockey place?” His cluelessness was almost cute.

“Hockey place?” I mocked laughing “You mean a rink, and no it’s not too cold in there.” I stretched out the shorts I was wearing “I promise, it’s not what you’re expecting.”

I led the way through the lobby into the small arena, we took seats in the front row of the bleachers and waited for warm ups to start. It wasn’t long before Stephanie and Jacob arrived. I stared as Stephanie walked by without even saying hello.

“Bitch” I mumbled under my breathe

“Come on man that’s my girlfriend” Jacob lectured, he directed his attention towards Jason and shook his hand “What are you doing here? Is everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine” Jason said calmly “I was just curious to see what the hype was all about.”

“Oh okay” Jacob said still unsure about the whole situation. He shifted his head side to side and began to walk away.

“Hey, you’re not even gonna sit with us?” I shouted

He discretely gestured towards Stephanie and shrugged his shoulders.

“His girlfriend doesn’t like you?” he asked trying to understand our high school drama.

“It’s a whole thing” I began “She used to have a crush on me, then me and Eli stopped being friends for a while and I was a dick to him, and she’s his best friend so she would always defend him…”

“Got it” he interrupted laughing “boy, it’s weird seeing you act like a normal teenager, it’s actually kind of refreshing.”

“What can I say, I’m just your average 16 year old” I joked

“Jamie!” I heard a familiar voice yell from a few rows behind us “What’s up no face paint today?”

“None today, Mrs. Warren” I turned with a smile “Maybe next time” She looked just as happy as always while Mr. Warren was sitting there with a sour look on his face. I guess I should be happy he showed up, but boy, he did not seem happy to see me!

I saw Jason look at them out of the corner of his eye “I take it the other half of that marriage has beef with you too”

“He didn’t always…but I guess he doesn’t think I deserve his son.”

He shrugged his shoulders “That’s just a father being a father.”

“I guess, but he doesn’t have to be such a dick about it” I mumbled

“So Eli really is the opposite of you huh?” Jason asked looking at his parents “You’re the rough, scrappy white trash rebel and he’s the well-off innocent one?”

“I guess so” I answered never really putting too much thought into it

“The good news is that those stories always end well” he joked nudging me with his shoulder “things work out the way they’re supposed to, you’ll see.”

I rolled my eyes “Let’s hope so”

A few more minutes passed before the players finally took the ice to warm up. Eli skated a few times eagerly looking before finally seeing us. He slowed down a bit and shook his head as he saw who the surprise was.

“I guess he isn’t rolling out the red carpet” Jason said laughing at his reaction

“Just wait for it” I replied, and as if on cue a hockey puck came flying right at us, pinged off the glass boards in front of us and back onto the ice. I couldn’t stop laughing as Jason almost jumped out of his skin.

“You’re supposed to be my guard” I squeaked out between laughs “and you’re scared of a fuckin hockey puck”

“That’s not funny” Jason spit “freakin white people sport” he joked, which only made me laugh harder

I looked up at the blue eyed culprit, who was laughing with a few of his new teammates. It was kinda weird seeing the C taken off his jersey, but at the same time that’s the way things are. The varsity team already has it’s captains, Eli has to earn his spot. I watched as he skated around and took some shots before finally skating off the ice to mentally prepare for the game ahead.

“So is he allowed to have that colorful tape in the game?” Jason asked still confused about how hockey works.

“Sure, it’s up to him. As long as it doesn’t affect his puck handling abilities, it’s probably there to stay.” I could tell by the look on his face that he was still trying his best to understand the new sport. “So this isn’t just your first live hockey game, this is like the first hockey game you’ve ever watched?”

“I mean I’ve seen highlights on sports center” he began “but I’ve never actually seen a game.”

I let out a short groan “Oh boy, we have some work to do. So hockey’s a fairly simple sport, you just have to put the puck in the net by any means besides kicking it or throwing it in. There are usually 6 skaters on the ice, including the goalie, unless there’s a penalty then someone goes into the box for about 2 minutes and the other team gets a power play, which is a 5 on 4 situation for those 2 minutes.” I watched as he tried to take in all the new information “In addition the puck has to cross that blue line before any of the attacking players can, and when in the defensive zone the defending team can’t shoot the puck down past the center ice line and opposing blue line because if it reaches behind the net, that’s an icing, and the faceoff comes all the way back into their own zone.” This time I saw confusion begin to grow on his face “Don’t worry, you’ll learn as you watch.”

“So I take it you used to play?”

“Yup” I responded proudly “I used to be on the same line as Eli, it’s more or less how we met. We were a nasty 1 2 combo.”

“So why’d you stop?” he asked genuinely interested

“I guess life had other plans” I shrugged knowing that was an excuse.

“It almost always does” he agreed

Finally the players returned to the ice to begin the game. I watched as Eli went about his normal routine, and could feel the nerves he was bearing. Our eyes locked for a brief second and he made his way to center ice. Figures, his first game and he’s already on the first line. Not that he’ll ever brag about it. The puck dropped and he won his first varsity faceoff.

“So Eli plays….” Jason drifted off trying to think of the position

“Center” I laughed at the fairly obvious answer

“I knew that” he lied watching the ongoing play. Eli stepped up to hit the puck carrier but got leveled to the ice instead “that’s legal?”

“Yeah” I sighed “he should know better than to try that. Eli’s never been able to hit” I watched on half concerned for Eli’s wellbeing and half frustrated that he would even attempt to hit. He got back to his skated, hopped on the bench and spoke a little with his line mates.

“Woh they can just hop on and off the ice like that?”

I giggled at his curiosity “Yes, line changes in hockey are all about precision and timing. An average shift only lasts like 40 seconds.”

We watched on as an opposing rush gained steam and scored. I nervously tapped my feet hoping that this wouldn’t be the start of a bad night. Eli’s line got back on the ice in an attempt to answer. I watched as Eli had a few words with the guy he tried to hit. He skated to the dot shaking his head with a smile.

“Did they just make up or something?” Jason said making a face

“Nope” I replied knowing what was gonna come next “Don’t even think about it Elijah!” I yelled at the top of my lungs

The second the puck hit the ice so did Eli’s gloves. I watched as he and the other fighter took off their cages and helmets and slowly skated towards one another. All the skaters on the ice formed a circle and watched as one of hockey’s most coveted plays went down. Eli grabbed onto his opponents jersey and the other player did the same.

“That’s to give them both some balance and leverage” I whispered trying to give Jason some insight.

I watched on in fear as Eli threw a punch and caught the jaw of the other fighter. The punch forced his head back slightly but a smile crossed his face as he pulled down on Eli’s jersey and countered with a punch right across his face. Just as quickly as it had started it was over. Eli fell to the ice and the refs pulled them apart.

“5 minutes fighting #26 Elijah Warren, and # 17 Daniel Howard” The ref announced to the score keeper as he escorted them both to the penalty box to the right of us.

“So fighting really is allowed in hockey?” Jason said trying to get a good look at Eli

“It’s not just allowed its necessary” I responded “Don’t get me wrong, I really didn’t want him to fight but he had to.” I pointed to his teammates slamming their sticks against the ice and boards in applause of his efforts “he just proved what he’s willing to sacrifice for his team. It’s a powerful statement, especially for a skill player like Eli who’s not supposed to fight.”

“So he really is all about honor and pride” he said observing him

“Yup, always has been, always will be.” I watched as he fiddled with the cage of his helmet “Only god knows how he and I date”

“Like I said man, opposite attract” he shrugged

It wasn’t long before Eli got out of the box and joined his line on the bench. Once more his teammates applauded his efforts and showed how hallowed fighting is in hockey. The rest of the period ticked away with the game still ending with Eli’s team behind. The next period went by fast with Jason and I goofed around as if we had been friends for years. Slowly but surely he began to understand hockey. Every now and then I would study him closely to look for evidence of what Nia had mentioned. At first it was hard to see, but eventually it clicked and I could see his invisible guiding hand as we spoke. As the buzzer for the second period rang I could see the frustration on Eli’s face mount, he slammed his stick against the ice and shattered it in two before heading back to the dressing room.

The ref skated up to the score keeper “That’ll be 2 minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct #26 Elijah Warren” he announced

“That’s not allowed?” Jason asked unsure if it was common or not

“Kinda” I said surprised by Eli’s actions “Depends on the refs discretion. It’s just not very classy, or like him for that matter”

“Oh yeah you said…” he began

“You see that Free, that’s your influence” Stephanie screamed from down the row, I waved my hand to shut her up and felt Mr. Warren’s eyes locked onto my back.

I made a face and stared at Jason “I don’t think I need to finish that sentence do I?”

“No” I laughed “I spoke to him about it though, I think that’s just the pressure of varsity getting to him.”

He nodded his head “It can’t be easy at 16” I saw him look over at Stephanie “She really is a winner, huh?”

“Oh yeah, Jacob really knows how to pick em” I mumbled “I helped set them up too.”

Jason laughed “I guess you’ll have to do a better job with gizmo.”

“Who?” I stared at him not understanding before it finally hit me “Oh, Matty.”

“Sure” he responded finally learning his real name “Where is he tonight?”

“Who knows, Matty usually does his own thing. Don’t get me wrong the 3 of us are close, hes just either painfully annoying yet lovable or doesn’t show up.” I laughed thinking of him

Finally the 3^rd and last period began. I watched as Eli skated across the freshly cleaned ice and into the box. The frustration was still flashing red in his eyes as he involuntarily took a seat in the lonely small cube. It wasn’t long into the penalty before the other team scored to make it 2-0. The frustration in Eli’s eyes turned to fire and I instantly recognized the look on his face.

“You’re in for a show now” I said with a proud smile

Jason shot me a confused look “Why’s that?”

“Eli’s taking 100% fault on that goal, and if there’s anything he hates it’s causing goals against his team.” I looked over at him as he got yelled at by one of the assistant coaches. He shook his head and accepted his lecture.

The second his line got onto the ice he was like lightening. His strides were flawless, and his work outside the puck was disruptive. The second he saw one of the wingers pick up the puck in their defensive zone he was off. He skated right past the defenseman and received a beautiful tape to tape pass.

“In all alone” I couldn’t help but whisper to myself

Eli slowed his speed as he approached the goalie. He dragged the puck from left to right, then quickly back to the left, the goalie did his best to stretch out but Eli’s move had left him frozen. Time slowed down as I watched Eli lift the puck into the small net. As the goal horn rang Eli didn’t even stop to celebrate. He skated to the bench to high five his teammates then right back to center ice.

“Woh” Jason let out stunned “that was something”

“Just wait” I said with a smile on my face “There’s a lot more where that came from.”

The next 15 minutes were full of action, every time Eli was on the ice you noticed him. He was doing it all. We all watched in shock as Eli slowly hijacked the team from Ryan and made it his own. You could hear him barking out orders to his new teammates, and to everyone’s surprise they listened. Finally the team broke through again and tied it up at 2. I swear I saw Eli relax for a quick second before jumping right back out onto the ice. Elijah dug deep and pulled out whatever energy he had left for the last five minutes. He received the puck in the offensive zone and started skating circles around everyone, a few guys called for the puck but Eli wasn’t giving it up. I watched as he weaved in and out of the players in his way before finally firing a rocket right past the goalie’s glove. The goal horn blared loudly yet you could faintly hear Eli’s piercing scream over it. This goal hadn’t just put his team in the lead, it empowered him. To Elijah wining a hockey game was more important than winning a race is to me…and I don’t use that statement lightly. There’s no doubt he was born with ice in his veins and a stick in his hands. He slowly skated by where we were sitting, slammed the heel of his stick against the glass and stared down his father, making sure to showcase his slowly forming black eye.

“See that shit” I yelled at Stephanie “Now that’s my influence on him. If you don’t like it its because you can’t handle that he’s not a little teddy bear anymore.”

Jason discretely pulled on my shirt “You sure that’s a great fire to feed considering who you’re infront of?”

I thought about it for a second “Can’t get any worse.” I decided

Jason rolled his eyes “You’re just digging your grave further. You said Eli’s dad liked you at some point right?”

“Yup” I answered trying to see where he was going with it

“So it’s not crazy to assume that he could go back to liking you. You just have to remind him what it is that made him like you in the first place.”

I gave him a confused stare “Yeah, but it’s not that simple” I argued

“No its not, but doing stuff like that is only going to make it harder.” He said patting me on the back. I nodded realizing I had been beat.

The final buzzer sounded to put an end to our nice little bonding night. When Eli’s parents walked past us his mother stopped to hug me goodbye while his father just kept walking.

“Ignore him” she whispered into my ear “he’ll get over it” I nodded and she tussled my hair “Just don’t make my boy too rough” she teased. I saw her quickly study Jason before hurrying to join her husband.

I saw Jacob and Stephanie quietly try and sneak past us. “I can give you both rides home if you need” I called out so they knew I saw them.

“That’s okay” Jacob said trying to prevent an altercation

“We don’t need you Jamie” Stephanie yelled trying to get a dig in before leaving

I tried to bite my tongue but just couldn’t help myself “Scared Eli’s gonna yell at you again?” I fired back “I mean it’s okay, I don’t think he wants you around that much anymore.”

Jacob threw his head back and groaned as she made her way towards me and gave me a shove right to the chest “I’m not sure how many different ways I can say this but you are literally the biggest asshole in the world. You’re all bark and no bite” she spat giving me another shove to the chest. I looked up at Jason and we both laughed. I saw her stare shift to him as she took in his features “and who the fuck are you? His body guard?” As the words left her mouth I saw her do the math in her head.

“Don’t worry about who I am” Jason said in a booming voice in an attempt to stop her from figuring it out.

“You know, when Eli and I spoke about you being that racer way back when, I never actually thought you were.” She switched her gaze from Jason to me. I felt some anger begin to flare “That darkness in your eyes” She remarked

“Go to hell Stephanie” I growled

For the first time in my life I saw Stephanie shake in fear “Whatever this is…” she stuttered “Jacob and Eli…they better not be involved” Jacob walked over and started pulling her away “Jacob, what is this all about?” I heard her ask

“Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answer to” I heard him say with some darkness in his own voice as they left the small arena.

“She’s not gonna be a threat is she?” Jason whispered

“No” I said with the anger starting to dissolve “She’s a lot of things, but she’s not a rat.”

Jason nodded “Well I better be getting out of here”

“Oh come on” I whined “You don’t want say hi to Eli before you leave?”

I saw the gears in his head turn “No, I promised Nia I’d go straight home. I’m too old to be getting tangled up with teenage hijinks”

“What?” I asked in fake shock “We’re just you’re average teenagers, we never do anything bad.”

Jason grabbed my shoulders and gave me a friendly hug goodnight “Don’t do anything stupid kid. I’ll see you around.”

I followed him as he made his way to the lobby and grabbed a seat. It wasn’t long before Eli made his way out of the locker room. I ran up to him and gave him a quick peck on the lips.

“Careful Jamie” he winced in pain “I’m a little banged up” he giggled

I combed the hair out of his face and got a good look at the now fully formed black eye “You look beautiful”

“You’re just saying that” he squeaked out with a bright blush beginning to grow on his face.

“No, I’m not.” I grabbed his hand from his side and we made our way out of the arena” I love you Elijah. I don’t care if you need to get plastic surgery from getting hit in the face too many times, you’ll always be beautiful to me.”

His blush grew even brighter “I love you too” he rested his head on my shoulder and we made our way to the car.

We’ve had our ups and downs, but we’ll figure out the balance. He’s the yin to my yang. I’ll love him no matter how hard live pushes us.