Ripped - 20. Chapter 20

--Bailey--

Bailey didn't even look up, but he heard Declan freeze on the steps. "You're right," he repeated. When he didn't hear any response or movement from Declan, he finally lifted his eyes. Declan just stared at him, waiting. "I know that. But I really just... I just don't care about Chris or Eric or their bullshit right now."

Declan's eyes darkened with understanding. "Got better things to worry about?"

Bailey's lips thinned into a tight line before he nodded jerkily, turning and retreating deeper into his bedroom. He sighed heavily as he sank down on his bed. "I'm sorry I caused so much trouble for you and your team. I really didn't want it to happen again. I thought it would just go away."

He heard a creak and looked up to see Declan standing in the doorway. "Again? Did something like this happen with your old team? It sounded like it before when you—"

"What do you want me to say, Declan?" Bailey huffed. "Of course, it's happened before. I'm gay and a gymnast!"

"Hey, hey, hey, I'm sorry. I was just..." he trailed off, shrugging.

Bailey stared intently at Declan's hazel eyes. Concern and... something else... yearning?... swirling in the brown and green depths. Bailey shifted to the side, silently offering Declan to join him. Declan twitched, as if wanting to dart forward, but holding himself back. Bailey let a slight smile touch his lips before offering a tiny cant of his head in invitation.

Declan didn't hesitate this time as he stepped into the room, but Bailey did see him clench and unclench his fists nervously before he sat down. Bailey felt his bed dip under the linebacker's weight, causing him to tilt and bump Declan's shoulder.

"As you might've guessed, I've always been... well, smaller than most guys my age." Bailey gave a self-deprecating smile. "Gymnastics came easy for me, but I did other sports here and there, you know, to fit in, but even so there was always someone bigger who thought it cool to push around the smaller guy."

"And you never... um, you know, took like self-defense lessons or something... Your parents never...?" Declan asked awkwardly. He was curious, but he didn't want to offend Bailey either.

"I didn't let them know about it. I think Dad suspected sometimes, but he was deployed a lot, and it was easy to say any bruises or stuff came from the gym. Of course, he'd shown me some self-defense stuff, but... you know, I tried not to let him know anything was wrong. Honestly, I've found... well, I get hurt less if I don't fight back."

Declan's eyes widened. "Shit. Really?"

Bailey almost laughed. "Yeah, bullies get bored if they don't get a rise out of you. Well, most of the time anyway."

"Damn. Why did you bother doing football?"

"I'd done youth football some, so when I started high school, my dad thought I might want to do it as my fall sport. I was still doing gymnastics, just not through the high school. I made the varsity team as a freshman because they needed a good runner, and I was faster than anyone they had on the team." He smiled at the memory of making the team, the general camaraderie for those first few weeks. "We won all our games."

Declan grinned down at him, nudging his shoulder. "I'll bet. You're a fast little shit."

Bailey smiled at the compliment. "It was good. Until, well, until some of the team found out I was gay after a game one night."

Bailey heard Declan suck in a breath. "They gave you shit about it, I guess."

"It wasn't like I was hiding it, but I wasn't announcing it either. A guy I'd been out with a couple times—we were friends— accidently outed me to the team that night. It wasn't like it hadn't happened before—you know, being harassed for being gay—but I didn't think it would matter this time, I mean, they knew me. I was part of the team; they treated me just like everyone else, better almost because I could run down practically every receiver."

Bailey felt his eyes prickle at the memories flooding him, the look of hate in Mason's eyes... He stared down at his hands clenched in his lap. Could he tell Declan the rest? Would the guy see him differently?

"It's okay." Declan's voice sounded growly for some reason, and Bailey looked up to see his eyes darkening with outrage. "It's not your fault. Some people are just idiots. Hope the coach gave them hell."

Bailey frowned down at his hands, picking at a hangnail as his heart rate sped up. "No. Actually, he 'suggested'," Bailey said using air quotes, "that it might be better for team dynamics if I quit the team."

"Jesus. I'm so sorry. That totally sucks." Bailey felt Declan shift a moment before an arm draped over his shoulders offering a comforting squeeze. Bailey tensed momentarily, instinctively wanting to pull away from the touch, but Declan's hold was light, soothing... not restraining...

"I can't imagine that happening..."

Bailey shrugged, trying not to let Declan see how it had devastated him at the time. "Dad threatened to sue them... you know, for discrimination and whatever, but... but... it wasn't worth it. And I didn't even want to be in the same county as Mason after—after all that anyway." The words caught on the end of his tongue before he spilled more than he had to anyone except his father. He rushed on, hoping Declan hadn't noticed the hitch in his voice at the mention of Mason. "So mom and dad found another high school in the next county over for the rest of the school year. It wasn't too bad there, but dad was started researching private schools. And, ta-da, we moved here, so I could go to Heritage."

"Best thing that happened to me. And the school, if you ask me." Declan's hand shifted to consolatory pats on his back. "So, Mason, huh? Was he the quarterback?"

Bailey dug at his finger, debating even saying anything else, but something about Declan had him wanting to confide, to give up his secrets. Maybe because Declan was the only one who knew about Chris and Eric ambushing him, maybe because he felt something a little more for Declan than he had for anyone in a long time.

"He was a receiver. Alec, his best friend, was the quarterback."

"I'm guessin' those two are the ones who spearheaded the 'get the gay off the team' campaign. Right?" Declan surmised, and Bailey only nodded. "Did they..." Declan broke off, obviously searching for the right words, but Bailey could practically tell what was running through the other teen's mind. "Did they, or someone, do something... did they a-attack you, to try to force you to quit?"

And there it was. Bailey heaved a deep sigh. He'd gone this far, he might as well see what Declan was made of if he heard the whole story. He nodded. "Yeah."

"God, I hope it wasn't as bad as what Chris—"

Bailey was already shaking his head.

"Well, good. I—"

"Worse."

Declan's mouth dropped open, horror in his eyes. Bailey could see the guy fighting between wanting to know and staying oblivious. "H-h-how worse?"

"Declan..." Bailey dropped his head, shaking it. "You don't really—"

"I do. If you want to tell me," Declan said, his hand slipping up to the back of Bailey's neck, kneading, almost caressing. "I'm willing to listen."

"It's just not something I've talked about..." Bailey could feel his heart pounding in his chest, his body trembling...

"You don't have to either," Declan said quickly, giving Bailey a friendly shake. "Only when you want to—"

"They caught me leaving school late after a conference with a teacher," Bailey blurted out, causing Declan to fall silent, listening. "Dragged me off school property. There were three... Mason, Alec and Dennis... all from the team. They just wanted to rough me up a bit, make me see it would be best to leave the team. I'd already decided that, even told them I was quitting. They punched me a couple times, just to make their point, not really much more than Chris did... I thought they were going to leave... But then Mason..."

Bailey's voice cracked, and he had to clear his throat. "Mason, um, got this look... And then I was on the ground... and Mason... he-he was telling the others to hold me... he was pulling at the back of my pants... they were yelling back at him... I-I don't know... it was all so fast, but slow at the same time, ya know?"

Bailey didn't even look up at Declan, couldn't look into those eyes right now. He hadn't even realized that he'd started rubbing at his chest again until Declan gripped his hand and pulled it away. Declan just held him, offering gentle support.

"You're shaking," Declan said softly, his grip becoming firmer on Bailey's neck and on his hand, grounding him. It was several minutes before Bailey had the nerve to look up, expecting to see disgust, maybe pity on Declan's face. But what he saw was worry laced with anger. "Did—did he—?" Declan's jaw clenched, even as he shook his head at himself. "No, sorry, I don't mean to pry, but I—"

"No." Bailey cut off Declan's rambling. "He didn't. He was going to. With a beer bottle from the ground..." Declan's sharp intake of breath had Bailey rushing to finish "... but he didn't. Alec and Dennis backed off when they realized what he was planning, calling him crazy or something. Mason leaned over me, trying to hold me down himself, taunting me, calling me names, telling me how he was going to fu...fuck me up... But he couldn't hold me and... well, do what he wanted. If he'd been your size..." Bailey swallowed, words clogging his throat. "Well, he lost his grip as I fought back. I ran."

Bailey's eyes flicked up to Declan's stunned face. The guy was pale and quiet, his eyes haunted.

"I... I just hate... for you to see me... as weak. Well, weaker than you already do..." Bailey whispered, fighting back tears. God, how pathetic was that. Here he was about to cry in front of this huge, amazing guy—

Declan drew him closer, pressing their foreheads together, those hazel eyes suspiciously wet. "You are anything but weak." Declan's voice was gravelly, and he had to clear his throat before he could continue. "Jesus, Bailey, I don't know anyone who can fight off a bigger guy, let alone three. I think you might be the strongest person I know. And I don't mean just that you can hang like a T from the rings. You've been through so much shit, I can't even imagine—the crap at your old schools with that Mason guy and now Chris, having to change schools so much, your father dying... That's intense shit. I get why you kept to yourself so much."

Bailey turned slightly so he could see Declan's face, to judge his sincerity. "It took me a long time before I'd let anyone touch me after that," Bailey confessed.

For a second Declan didn't move, but then he jerked back like a snake had bit him. "Oh shit." Declan yanked his arm away from Bailey, his eyes wide with alarm. "I'm sorry, I—I didn't—"

"No." Bailey stopped Declan's panicked retreat with a hand on his thigh. "No. It's okay. I don't feel that way with you. I don't feel like you're restraining me when you... do that," he said with a soft smile. "But I just wanted you to know why I sometimes jump when someone touches me."

Declan was still trying to pull away, obviously worried he'd pressed Bailey's limits, but Bailey leaned into his retreat. "Hey, don't. Please." Then he looked up at Declan's anxious face, and his own panic set in. "Unless... unless you..." Bailey jumped up, his hand running through his hair, lacing behind his head briefly. "Oh, fuck, I'm sorry. I thought you... we... but... oh geez, I shouldn't have told you—"

Suddenly, two strong hands were gripping his face, halting his anxious pacing. "Stop. Breathe."

Bailey's breath caught as hazel eyes stared down at him. He grabbed at Declan's wrists, trying to calm himself.

"I'm glad you trusted me enough to tell me," Declan whispered. "I want to kill this Mason guy, but you... you make me feel so fucking..." His voice trailed off.

Declan's warm breath teased his lips as Bailey's own came in sharp pants. Being so close to the gorgeous linebacker, and with the way Declan's eyes kept sweeping over him—both wanting and tender but also nervous and shy—Bailey was sure he'd never felt so nervous and shy—Bailey didn't know what to feel. But he felt more and more drawn to Declan...

He'd bared his soul to Declan and the guy was looking at him like he was something to be cherished and treasured. He felt like he should say something... anything... but couldn't find any words that wouldn't just ruin this perfect moment.

"I... I want..." Declan's voice was low and scratchy as his long lashes dipped over his eyes, obviously trying to gather his courage to continue. "I'd like to... kiss you... if that's all right?"

Bailey's fingers tightened on Declan's wrists as the words hit him, and he could only nod briefly, afraid his voice would fail him if he attempted to use it.

Bailey lifted slightly on his toes as Declan leaned down. Bailey felt a soft puff of breath a moment before Declan's full lips press hesitantly to his. It was brief and cautious at first, Declan watching Bailey's reaction for any sign of distress. But Bailey lifted farther, chasing Declan's lips as he attempted to pull back.

A gasp of surprise huffed between them before Declan returned, claiming Bailey's lips firmly. Bailey licked across the seam of Declan's lips, his hands moving to the front of Declan's shirt.

"Bailey, are you—"

Bailey and Declan heard the woman's voice only seconds before it erupted into a shrill shriek. "Oh, my God! Get away from him, you—you--! Daniel! Help! Call the police!"

Bailey barely had time to register his mother racing into the room shoving at Declan's shoulder and trying to edge her way in front of him. The thundering of footsteps on the stairs heralded Daniel's arrival a moment later, looking at them in confusion before he narrowed his eyes on Declan. He had his phone out instantly, as he edged his way in front of Bailey and his mother.

Bailey almost laughed at his mother's reaction, but poor Declan was standing wide-eyed and panicked, holding his hands up innocently. It was almost... comical to see her react so strongly to Declan being in his room.

"Mom—"

"Daniel, Daniel, call the police," she rushed out. "This boy was attacking my son. How did you even get in here?" she snapped at Declan. "Did you think you could get away with hurting him again, you son-of-a-bitch?!"

"Mom!" Bailey shouted to get her attention, but stopped and grabbed Daniel by the wrist that was holding his phone. "Stop. Don't call anyone. Declan is my friend."

Daniel studied Bailey for a moment before putting his phone in his pocket. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"Yes, yes, I'm fine." Bailey stepped around Daniel towards Declan, facing his stunned mother. "Mom, this is Declan. He's... he's the one who helped me, and he reported the... incident to the dean yesterday. He was just checking to make sure I was okay. That's all."

His mother's mouth opened and closed a couple times before she found her voice. "He was grabbing you... it looked like..." She faltered, her hand shaking. "Are you sure he wasn't... hurting..."

"He definitely wasn't hurting me," Bailey assured, and he noticed a smirk on Declan's lips as he tried to bite back a grin.

Even as his mom frowned at him, Daniel's brows shot up. "Oh! Oh. Okay. Well, then. Your mom and I will wait for you downstairs... to talk about... things."

Daniel took his mom's elbow and tugged, even as she tried to resist, looking over her shoulder at Bailey and Declan.

"Daniel, I don't think—"

"It's fine, Michelle. The boys will be down in just a minute, right, boys?" Daniel eyed both of them.

"Yes, sir," Declan piped up, but Bailey frowned at the man sounding so much like his father might.

You're not my father, Bailey almost snapped. You have no right to tell me to do anything! But Declan's hand landed between his shoulder blades, cutting off any retort he had on the tip of his tongue.

They watched the two adults retreat down the stairs, Daniel Kirsch murmuring to his mother as they went. After they were gone, Bailey finally turned to Declan. The guy's shoulders were shaking in quiet laughter.

"Well, that went well."

Bailey glared at him, but Declan just grinned, spreading his hands. "Hey, it could have been worse."

"She thought you were attacking me," Bailey sighed. "She thought you were Chris."

Declan sobered slightly. "Yeah, I know. But it's good that she's protective."

Bailey turned, staring at the floor. "It is, I guess," he said softly. "Since dad...died... she's been..." He kicked at the laundry on the floor. "She hasn't really been here, you know what I mean?"

Declan stepped up behind him.

"And then Daniel comes along, and she's... I don't know... she can care for him, but not—" Bailey gripped the back of his desk chair.

Long fingers wrapped his biceps as Declan stepped up behind him. Bailey startled a moment when he felt Declan's lips press a tentative kiss to the base of his neck. Bailey's body sagged back into Declan's.

"Let's go downstairs. She's waiting for you. I can tell she loves you," Declan tried to soothe Bailey. "Maybe she's just having a hard time showing it."

"Whatever." Bailey wrenched free of Declan's gentle hold, not wanting to hear excuses for his mom's behavior, and lead the way down the stairs. Back on the first floor, he saw his mom and Daniel in the kitchen, his mom at the table and Daniel making coffee. The man seemed so at home in their home.

"Declan's going to go back to school now," Bailey announced as he herded the bigger teen towards the front door. Once Declan was on the porch and they were both out of sight of the two adults in the kitchen, Declan leaned in, brushing his lips across Bailey's jaw.

Bailey's irritation deflated almost instantly as Declan's breath caressed his ear. "It'll be okay, Bailey. I'll be here for you."

Bailey fought a sob—of relief, of frustration, of stress—a soft bark of breath all that managed to escape as he nodded. He couldn't take his eyes off Declan as he turned to leave, those strong muscles rippling under the simple navy polo shirt, his thighs straining the khakis.

"Thank you," Bailey finally squeaked out before Declan was too far to hear him. Declan turned and smiled back at him. "For everything. For telling the Dean, for confronting Chris, for coming by..."

"Anytime, Bailey. Anytime."

--Declan—

Oh, holy hell. I kissed him. I actually fucking kissed him.

Declan had detoured to Heritage park only a couple blocks out of his way because he needed time to get himself together. He dropped heavily on one of the park benches, hearing the old wood creak under his weight.

He leaned forward, brushing his hands through his hair before lacing his fingers behind his head. His heart was racing with what had happened. Not only had Bailey trusted him, shared horrific memories with him, but he'd allowed Declan to kiss him. Had returned it in fact.

That had Declan grinning broadly to the nearly empty park. "Fuck Yeah!"

At the frown from a nearby mother watching her toddlers running around, Declan realized maybe he had been a little too loud. He waved an apology, offering her a nod before he started back toward campus.

He couldn't take too much longer; the Mr. Zamora had only given him the short leave to check on Bailey. The walk didn't seem to take any time at all with his mind occupied with all that Bailey had shared with him in confidence. He hated that Bailey had had such a hard time at his previous school, especially with the Pitbulls.

And this shit called Mason. Declan felt his fists clench and his jaw tighten. Damn, he wanted to bust Mason's mouth open for what he'd done to Bailey, maybe even those other two—Alec and Dennis—as well for the haunted look they'd left in Bailey's soft gray eyes.

Bailey's quiet demeanor, his withdrawn, solitary behavior, when he'd arrived at Heritage Academy made so much more sense. Between being nearly raped by former teammates and the loss of his father, Declan wasn't sure how Bailey managed to cope so well. The pain would be nearly unbearable.

Declan wanted to wrap Bailey up and make all his misery go away. Maybe he'd managed to do that—just a bit anyway—when Bailey had allowed Declan to hold him and then kiss him.

"Good to see you made it back," the guard greeted as Declan approached and scanned his ID to check back onto campus. The man held out Declan's backpack that he'd dropped there, and Declan grabbed it.

"Thank you, sir."

"How is Mr. McIntyre? I've heard a little of what is going on. The Headmaster is calling a meeting with all staff members for later this afternoon, but I'm sorry about what happened. Is he okay?"

Declan nodded. "Yes, he's better. Just overwhelmed, I think. His mom arrived, so I came back."

"It's good he had a friend or two to help him through this. Until these last couple weeks, he's always been alone, so quiet and withdrawn. I always worried about him a little. Thought maybe he should stay on campus, be around his classmates more... well, anyway. I'm glad to hear he's okay." The security guard gave Declan a pat on the back before heading back into his little guardhouse.

The school was quiet as he made his way to Bedford Hall, the academic building. As he entered and headed up to the second floor, the bell rang to dismiss the first class. Perfect timing, he grinned. He hovered outside the door as students filed out.

"Declan, man, what the hell is going on?" Nick said, grabbing his arm and pulling him away from the door.

"What do you mean?"

Nick huffed. "I mean, with Chris and Eric. There's rumors they were talking with the Headmaster."

"Why would I know what's up?" Declan lied; he didn't want to fuel rumors any more than they already were, especially if the administration hadn't yet made any decisions or announcement.

Nick glared at him, Alex joining them, also hoping for some juicy information. Declan suddenly wondered of his roommate and suitemates were getting hit with the same kinds of questions. Would they stay quiet?

"I gotta get into class," he said quickly. "I'll see you guys at practice. Maybe coach will know something."

"Yeah, maybe," Nick agreed.

Declan had no problem punting the issue to the coach for now. Declan really didn't know anything, and he wasn't about to get into trouble by stirring up more shit among the students with speculation. He headed to his desk and pulled out his phone, sending out a quick text to Evan, Logan, and Micah before Chemistry class started.

😧 <Guys, I shoulda said before... don't talk to anyone about the Bailey/Chris situation. Please.>

E: <I got that from the HM, told Micah and Logan already.>

L: <We're good, D>

M: <NP>

😧 <Thx>

He slumped back in his chair as Mr. Bassinger started up a new lesson on covalent bonds, but he could feel the various searching eyes wondering what he might know. The ninety minute period seemed to stretch out even longer today, especially with no lab to make it more interesting. Even though they played a little game guessing what kind of chemical bond various compounds had based on their chemical formulas, it was a tedious class.

Declan was more than ready for class to end and to get to lunch, since he'd missed breakfast giving the Dean the thumb drive and then chasing down Bailey.

Lunch, of course, was chaos. Everyone was whispering about what they'd seen this morning and what that might mean. No one had seen Chris or Eric since then, which probably meant they were still in the meeting with the Disciplinary Board, or they'd possibly been picked up and taken home already. Although that would be pretty quick. Declan thought he remembered Chris talking about his parents being somewhere in Europe right now, so maybe they were just sequestered back in their rooms or something.

Declan grabbed his food quickly and found a table as far away in the corner as possible. Evan, Logan and Micah quickly joined him, forming a wall from the rest of the mess.

"Thanks, guys," he breathed out gratefully, keeping his eyes lowered so as not to catch anyone's eyes.

"Yo, Dec! Thought you'd be joining us over here!" Nick called out.

Declan glanced up, noting that Nick sat with Ben, Alex, Jaime, and Jose—all good guys who'd never liked Chris's ego. But then Tripp and Eddie joined them, and Declan wasn't so sure about how the mood of the table would be. Eddie, especially, had been one of Chris's more vocal flunkies. And Declan wasn't in the mood to listen to Eddie run his mouth extolling Chris and Eric's virtues.

"I'm just eating with my roomies today. Maybe tomorrow, okay?"

Nick smiled and waved.

Evan shoved a french fry in his mouth. "So. How's it going?"

Declan chuckled at his best friend's nonchalant attitude. He knew the guys must want to know more, especially since they were privy to more information than anyone else at the moment. "It's good. Chemistry was boring..."

A fry suddenly bounced off his chest.

"You know that's not what I mean, dumbass. I saw you chase after Bailey. What happened? Is he okay? Is he seriously pissed with you?" Evan plopped his elbows on the table and waited.

Declan just smiled. He leaned forward to answer, but stopped and looked up to the five students looming over his roommates. Logan, Micah, and Evan shifted to see who had dared invade their space.

Justin. Luke. Cameron. Owen. Mateo.

The gymnastics team.

"Declan, can we have a word with you?" Justin said rather formally.

"What do you need?" he responded cautiously.

"We need... we need to know that our teammate is okay." Justin glanced at the rest of them. "We heard you maybe saw him... later this morning."

Declan nodded, not sensing any hostility from the guys. He patted the chair next to him, for Justin to join him. The others squeezed into chairs around the table waiting anxiously for information.

"Bailey is fine. As fine as he can be, anyway. He talked to the Dean and Headmaster this morning, but then he headed back home. I... I did follow him, to make sure he was okay. He was a little upset, but he calmed down while I was there. Then his mom came home and I left."

Mateo's eyes darted around before he blurted out his question. "He's... he's not... leaving Heritage, is he? Please tell me he's not."

Declan jerked back, shocked by the thought. "No. No. I don't think so. No, I'm sure that's not going to happen."

Hell, he hoped it didn't. But Bailey's parents did have a habit of pulling him from school's that didn't protect him. Surely, Mrs. McIntyre would see that Heritage Academy wasn't like other schools.

"Good. Do you know what's going on? There's talk about Chris and Eric seeing the Dean and Headmaster too." Justin cocked his head, assessing Declan's reactions. "Did they do something to him, and Bailey turned them in?"

"If he did, they deserved it," Cameron spat out.

"I can't really say right now," Declan said evasively.

Justin and the others eyed him for several moments before nodding and rising. "I trust you to look out for him, Declan."

Declan felt like he had a lump in his throat. Justin was putting a huge amount of trust on his shoulders, especially after being so wary of him so recently.

"I will."

****

Declan tried his best to avoid the endless stares and questions the rest of the afternoon, but he knew that football practice wasn't going to be much better. He felt the tension as soon as he walked in the locker room, every eye had turned to the door.

Waiting to see if Chris walked in.

Declan simply waved as he made his way to his own locker. There were subdued whispers. No one seemed willing to break the uneasy quiet. The last few guys straggled in, each receiving the same anxious stare as they pushed in through the door.

"Where the hell is Chris?" Eddie hissed from down the row of lockers.

"I heard he and Eric got kicked out or something," Jose whispered back with a shrug.

"Fuck no! We have a game tomorrow! How are we going to play without a quarterback?" Eddie cursed.

Tripp cut in. "They can't kick them out. They have to know how much we need him."

Declan rolled his eyes, biting his lip to keep from saying anything.

"I'm surprised Chris hasn't gotten his ass kicked out before now," Nick muttered.

"And we don't need Chris or Eric. We got plenty of whoop-ass on this team." Jaime grinned broadly, receiving several 'hell yeah's' and hearty laughs.

Eddie frowned, opening his mouth to say something.

"All right, everyone. Gather 'round!" Coach Reed's abruptly loud voice caused everyone to jump.

Jittery chatter followed his command as everyone grabbed their gear, huddling together.

"I understand there may be several rumors running around," the coach started, earning several nods of agreement, everyone eager for information. "Mr. Vasser and Mr. Olander will not be joining us for the rest of the season. Due to their breaking several of the school's Code of Conduct policies, they have been removed from the team at a minimum. I can't tell you more, as the Headmaster is still in the process of contacting their parents."

Voices erupted in shock, but Coach Reed held up his hand and silence fell.

"Chris and Eric made serious mistakes and will have to suffer the consequences of their actions." Coach Reed stared down every player. "This is a team, and you need to be able to respect and depend on your teammates. One player does not win a game by himself. It takes each and every one of you working together."

The Coach paused for a moment, letting his words sink in. Declan was pleased to see most of the team was smiling and nodding to each other in agreement.

"Nick, you are now team captain."

"Whoohoo!" several of the guys shouted, and Nick received several congratulatory shoves. Nick grinned, blushing slightly at the honor.

Lachlan." Coach addressed their backup quarterback. "You are, of course, our quarterback for the rest of the season." At the shocked look on the freshman's face, Coach smiled. "You're more than ready."

"Yeah, ya are!" Jose nudged the younger teen. "We got your back."

"Are there any questions?" Coach Reed asked as the team settled back down.

"No Sir!"

"Everybody ready to play?"

"Yes Sir!"

"Then move it!"

Declan looked over to see Nick jump up. "You know the drills, so get your asses moving!"

Declan grinned as they ran out of the locker room. Ben patted Nick on the shoulder with a broad smile as most of the guys fell into their usual squad lines, yelling out a variety of 'Yeah's!' and 'All right's!'.

"Without Chris and Eric, we're going lose big time," Declan heard Eddie grumble to Tripp, who nodded his agreement.

"Chris and Eric were assholes, thought they were God's gift to football. We can handle Frexbury without them." Ben shoved his way between Eddie and Tripp. Eddie started to say something, but the high fives Ben received from several players for his comment stopped him.

"You got this, Lach!" someone yelled.

"Hell, yeah, we can do it!" came another shout.

Declan smiled at his team rallying together, even if there were a couple who still were firmly in Chris's corner. At least the majority of the team didn't seem to be terribly upset by Chris and Eric's absence. In fact, everyone seemed more relaxed as they followed Nick, leading the drills commandingly, yet without Chris's usual derisive comments.

Maybe, just maybe, everything would actually work out.