Tales of the Underground: Blinded - 41. Starting Spot

| Riley |

The rest of the night I fell quiet. Carter, Aaron, Tak, Mom or Dad, it just didn’t matter. God Himself could come down from heaven and try to talk to me, I still wouldn’t budge. I don’t know what the hell rehab did to me, but facing my demons, well it opened Pandora’s Box. I’ve thrown out who I was, and now, I have no idea who I’m becoming.

“You sure you’re okay?” Aaron asked as I climbed into bed.

“Just fine.” I mumbled, staring at the white ceiling.

“You can talk to us, you know that right?” He provoked, causing me to turn my back to him. “Mom and Dad are worried.”

“Then they can tell me that.” I dismissed, trying my hardest to bury my head into my pillow.

“They tried.” Aaron offered, but was met with silence. “I don’t like this Riley.”

“Well it ain’t always bout you.” I warned as he shut the lights.

“I’m not thinking about me.” He continued. “I’m thinking about Carter.”

I rolled my eyes and fell quiet for the rest of the night. I’m just not in the talking mood, is that such a crime? Don’t they get how much is going on in my head right now? Rehab wasn’t just going to fix me like some miracle drug. It put me on the right track, and now, well, it’s up to me. And maybe, well maybe that’s what’s got me so scared.

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The next morning was more of the same as I stayed quiet through breakfast. Aaron and Tak tried their hardest to talk to me, but dad warned them to leave me alone. For the first time since I moved in I think he gets me. I think he understands I just need time to process everything.

“Please don’t do anything stupid.” Aaron groaned as we pulled into the school parking lot.

“Aaron,” Dad warned in a strict voice. “That’s not helping.”

“Sorry.” Aaron sighed.

“He’s got a lot going on. If we all give him his space he’ll be okay.” He explained for the second time this morning.

I nodded and walked out of the car without a word. Yet, the second I saw the big building I couldn’t help but let out a deep sigh. I wonder what everyone here thinks of me. I wonder if they still see me as some sort of monster. I wonder if Owen is here. I shuttered at the thought of confronting my past. Of taking another look at what I had done.

“You still have gym first, right?” Aaron asked but got no response. “Well at least you’ll be with Carter and Noah in your first class back.”

“Yeah.” I muttered, staring at the gym doors.

“Sure you’ll be okay?” Aaron checked with a worried look.

“Yeah.” I repeated, finally pulling the door open and stepping inside. The second my feet hit the hardwood floor I couldn’t help but get swarmed by a million memories. My first time here, my first practice, my first game, my championship, and my kiss.

“Well I’ll be damned.” Coach Murray boomed as he got his first look at me in months. He whispered something to another coach before waiving me over. “When’d you get back?”

“Yesterday.” I shrugged, starting to approach him. “I know I’ve been gone, but I heard there was spring season and I was thinkin I could,”

“Walker.” Coach began in a laugh. “Are you really going to ask for your spot like I wasn’t saving it?”

I shot him a confused look as I thought it over. “I don’t understand.” I shook my head. “You don’t like me, is this because of my dad? Did he say,”

“Walter didn’t say a thing.” He shook his head. “And I like you, just not how flashy you get with the ball, there’s a very big difference.”

“So I get my starting spot back?” I asked feeling excitement finally spread through me.

“If you feel you can handle jumping right back into it.” Coach Murray nodded.

“Just cause I was gone doesn’t mean I took a break.” I confidently nodded.

“Woh, woh,” An eavesdropping voice interrupted. “You’re giving him my spot?”

“It was always his spot.” Coach Murray dismissively sighed. “That was clear from the beginning.”

“Yeah, but that was before I started clicking with Carter.” The voice pleaded as a boy a little taller than me stepped forward. He had fancy cut brown hair which was offset by his stern brown eyes. “We’ve really hit a groove lately, you can’t change that.”

“Yeah, they went three and six.” I mocked. “How could you break that up?”

“There was an adjustment period.” The boy snarled. “I’m sure you went through the same thing.”

“I didn.” I warned. “But don’t blame yourself, some players are just better than others.”

The boy rolled his eyes before turning towards the coach. “This is really what you’re replacing me with?”

“No one is getting replaced.” He clarified in a booming voice. “I’m sorry Trey, but Riley is our starter. He led us to the school’s first State Championship in years.”

“Then he left!” Trey interrupted in a loud voice.

“To get himself together.” Coach Murray explained as his voice grew stricter. “That’s not something I’m going to punish him for.”

“This is bullshit!” Trey shouted, turning back to me. “Play me for it.”

“Play you for my spot?” I asked in a laugh.

“No, play me for my spot.” He corrected, starting to stare me down.

I let out a deep sigh before pulling my hair out of my face and exposing my left eye. Just like everyone else he stumbled back in surprise, but quickly stepped forward once more.

“You better watch what you doin.” I warned in a laugh. “Don’t step up to me like that.”

“Well I just did.” He began. “I heard you were the king around here, but I’m here to dethrone you.”

I rolled my eyes before taking a few steps toward the court. “You really wanna do this?”

“I do.” He nodded his head.

“Walker.” Coach Murray sighed.

“Nah, its cool coach.” I waved off. “I could use a warm up.”

Pretty soon the court closest to the back of the gym cleared as everyone looked on in anticipation. I let a half smile cross my face as Trey passed me a ball. Does this kid know what he’s getting into? Did they warn him about me? Because if they didn’t, well he’s about to get slaughtered.

“Start it.” He announced as we passed the ball between us.

“Fine.” I shrugged as I effortlessly began to dribble it. “You sure you want to do this?”

“Positive.” He nodded as the room fell quiet.

“You’re teammates now.” Coach Murray tried to remind us. “You have to get along.”

“Sure, I just needa put him in his place first.” I nodded, faking a move before spinning around him and taking an easy path to the net. Everyone watching let out a loud yelp as Trey stumbled to keep up with me.

“That’s a travel!” Trey shouted towards Coach.

“No it’s not.” He sighed. “That’s Riley Walker.”

“Loser’s?” I offered, passing him the ball.

“I don’t need your pity.” He grunted, tossing it back. “We’ll play winners.”

I let out another laugh before pulling up and knocking down a shot. “You know we started, right?”

“You talk too much.” He complained, passing the ball back to me once more. This time when I went to make a move he stole the ball and went up with it. “That better?”

“It was cute.” I shrugged as I felt the game beginning to heat up.

Trey let out an agitated laugh as our war finally began. We went back and forth with each other for a little while, before finally I hit my second gear. “Don’t let him get into his zone!” Coach shouted from the sidelines.

“I wanna see him try and stop me.” I taunted as Trey fell into his own head.

With a big huff Trey tried to steal the ball, but this time I crossed him up and caused him to fall to the floor. The room erupted into laughter and screaming as he tried his hardest to get back to his feet.

“What’s that? 16-10?” I laughed as he struggled to stay on his feet. “You had enough?”

“No.” He forced out, trying his hardest to hide the pain in his eyes.

“I have.” I heard a familiar voice announce from the sidelines.

“Stay outta this.” I dismissed, beginning to dribble the ball once more.

“No.” he shook his head, beginning to walk onto the court. “As captain of the team, I can’t.” I rolled my eyes and looked back towards Trey. “Don’t turn your back on me.” He warned as he got closer. “Tag me in Trey.”

“You can’t do that.” I dismissed, turning back to him. “This is between him and me.”

“This stopped being between you two the second Trey sprained his ankle.” Carter corrected. “An injury that now hurts our team.”

“Whatever.” I rolled my eyes. “We don’t even need him now that I’m back.”

“We need everyone on that roster.” Carter lectured, finally reaching us. “This isn’t the Riley show, this isn’t the Trey show, this is a team effort.”

“I don’t need you to come in,”

“Shut up Trey.” Carter interrupted. “I’m the captain of this team, and I’ll say how this is going to go. Now pass me the ball, I’ve had enough of Riley’s games.”

“I ain’t afraid to cross you up too.” I warned as I checked the ball to him.

“I want to see you try.” Carter replied with fire in his eyes. I hate to admit it but moments like this, they’re what have me head over heels for him. And judging by the spark in his eyes, he feels the same way.

The atmosphere in the room changed as Trey hobbled off the court. People murmured and whispered as though this was some sort of reality show. As If Carter and I were actually fighting. But this is just the reality of who we are. We’re competitive and real. When I get out of control he dares to put me back into place.

Nothing was more evident of that then when our match resumed. The second the ball began to hit the hard wood floor it was all out war. Neither of us held back as we fully went at it. Yet Carter, he was at a different level than Trey, at a different level than me. He effortlessly stole the ball and made shot after shot over me. It didn’t matter if I got a hand in his face, or even had him off balance. He was making anything and everything. He’d gotten better, there was no denying it.

“And that’s game.” Carter announced as the ball left his hand and swished through the net. “21 good guys, 19 bad guys.”

“You think you so good.” I teased as I grabbed the ball.

“I’ll let the results speak for themselves.” He shrugged with a growing smirk.

“You got lucky.” I rolled my eyes.

“I started down by six!” He argued. “How in the world did I get lucky?”

“He can’t handle losing.” Trey interrupted from next to coach.

“Who are you again?” I began as I stared him down. “Cause last I remember you fell on your ass.”

“Riley.” Carter scolded in a serious voice. “Leave it all on the court. You two battled it out, and now its done.”

“It ain’t,”

“It’s done Riley.” Carter boomed as our eyes locked. “Leave it there.”

“Fine.” I shook my head, turning towards Trey and staring him down.

“Leave. It.” Carter emphasized. “And he’s your teammate too.” Carter reminded Trey. “The least you could do is respect his role on this team.”

Trey scoffed before scanning me once more. “How can I do that when I’m the better player?”

“Simple. You’re not.” Carter corrected. “Riley’s more dynamic and explosive offensively. You’re one of the best defensive players in the state and you couldn’t even contain him. You transferred here to win, and we need Riley to do that.”

I silently nodded my head along to his words. “How the hell do you date this kid?” Trey sneered. “He’s so, so, below you.”

“I do like being below him.” I teased with a smirk.

“Walker, go take a lap.” Coach Murray groaned. “Better yet, you get to help Trey take a lap.”

“I’m hurt.” Trey tried to argue.

“Yeah,” I quickly nodded. “We can’t risk it.”

“Look at that.” Coach Murray patronized. “You’re already getting along. Now. Take. A. Lap!” He shouted almost causing me to jump.

“See what you do?” I asked as he threw his arm around me. “Getting me in trouble and shit.”

“Like you need any help getting in trouble.” He rolled his eyes as we finally began our lap.

I clicked my tongue and looked over to him. “Don’t talk like you know me.”

“Oh please, I’ve seen a million people like you.” He rolled his eyes. “You act so tough and cool, but you’re all the same.”

“Cause you so unique.” I grunted turning our first corner. “You like every other rich douche I ever met. Think you’re so much better than me.”

“I never thought I was better than you.” He corrected. “I thought I earned my spot and deserved to keep it. It wasn’t personal until you opened your mouth.”

“Did I hurt your feelings?” I patronized. “I’m sooo sorry.”

“You’re a dick, you know that right?”

“Been told.” I shrugged as we closed in on the last half.

“And Carter just puts up with this?” He asked.

“Does it look like he put up with it?” I rolled my eyes. “Besides, Carter and I are none of your business.”

“Carter’s my friend.” He shrugged. “So I think he is my business.”

“He ain’t your friend.” I shook my head. “He’s your teammate.”

“Whatever you say.” Trey sighed as we finally reached the starting point.

“You both learn your lesson?” Coach asked but only got silence back. “You want another lap?”

“No.” We both groaned.

“We learned our lesson.” I dismissed.

“Yeah.” Trey agreed. “But he better watch his back, I’m still coming for his spot.”

“That’s fine cause you ain’t gonna get it.” I warned as our eyes connected.

“Good enough for me.” Coach exhaled. “Now go find a trainer already, I’m not going through another game with only one point guard.”

Trey nodded before hobbling to another coach who helped him out of the large gym.

“He’s not going to go away easy.” Coach warned as he shifted back to me. “He’s a good player.If you’re going to stay the starter you’re going to have to respect that.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it.” I rolled my eyes as Carter re-approached with a small brown box.

“Riley Walker, despite your blatant display of assetry this morning, well, we’ve been holding onto this for you.” He proudly smiled, handing me the small box.

As I opened the box I couldn’t believe my eyes. A small golden ring sat inside with a dark green emerald on top. The words “ 2017 State Champions” decorated the top leaving me speechless.

“You earned it Walker.” Coach supported as he saw the look on my face. “But don’t think the second one will come easy just because you have this one.”

“Got it.” I nodded, closing the box back up.

“Now for the love of God, go take a seat.” He dismissed. “You’ve been giving me a headache since you stepped through the doors. From now on there’s a new rule, you’re only allowed in when Carter gets here.”

I shrugged and began to walk away as Carter’s laughter filled the air. “Were you really that bad this morning?”

“No,” I shot down. “That dickhead Trey picked a fight, so I followed up.”

“I’m sure that’s what happened.” He sarcastically spoke. “The second I pulled into the lot kids were telling me you and Trey were fighting.”

“And you believed that?” I asked with a roll of my eyes.

“I don’t know what to believe.” He shrugged. “You were bad yesterday Riley, and this morning, you haven’t been much better.”

“I’m just, adjusting.” I sighed as I slid down to floor.

“I really hope so.” He nodded his head as Noah came into view.

“Riley Walker!” Noah yelped in excitement. “When’d you get back?”

“Yesterday.” I sighed.

“And none of you told me?” He asked with a big smile. “Well don’t think you’re getting off this easy, and don’t think I forget your promise.”

“My promise?” I repeated in a groan.

“You promised you’d teach me how to get girls.” He confidently nodded.

I clicked my tongue and looked up at him. “Shut the fuck up Noah.”

“I missed this.” He giggled, sliding down next to me.

“Man, why the hell you sittin so close?” I complained, I tried to move more towards my left, but Carter refused to budge. In a last resort I glanced back towards Noah and flashed him my bad eye.

“I’m not scared of that anymore.” He happily smirked. “I’ve seen Owen’s nasty scars one too many times to still be scared of you.”

“Oh.” I exhaled, thinking it all over.

I felt Carter’s hand slowly reach over mine as I got lost in my own head. “He doesn’t go here anymore if that’s what you’re wondering.” Carter offered. “He transferred so he could get a fresh start.”

I nodded my head but couldn’t clear my mind. “Do you think, would he, would he be down to see me?”

“Do you want to see him?” Carter asked, shooting me a concerned look.

“I think so.” I slowly nodded my head.

“I’ll see what I can put together.” He comforted, as his hand began to grip mine.

“I missed this too.” Noah teased as I felt his fingers beginning to touch my free hand.

“Noah!” I yelped, pulling it away.

He let out a loud laugh and scooted closer. “Now that he’s not afraid of you,” Carter began in a laugh. “You’re screwed. “

“Just let me hold your hand.” Noah teased. “It’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

“Man! Shut the fuck up!” I warned, trying my hardest to intimidate him.

“Walker!” Coach shouted from across the room. “That’s another lap!”

I let out a long groan before getting back to my feet and starting to jog around the gym. For everything that’s changing, well it’s nice to see the gym is still my safe space. Even if that douchebag Trey is around to try and rain on my parade, Carter and I can handle him. For the first time since I got back, I’m starting to feel like me again. I just hope I can keep it going.