Date: Wed, 08 Sep 2004 16:51:04 -0500
From: GhostWriter@si.rr.com
Subject: All American Chapters 37-39

This story contains homosexual themes.  If you are offended by such topics
or you are not of legal age to read such stories, please read no
further. All the characters in the story are fictitious, with the exception
of one new character that was introduced in the last few chapters.  I have
NO idea of his sexual preference and I'm implying NOTHING.  It's just a
story.

I have no GOOD excuses for not posting, but if its any
consolation......SORRY.  I wish writing paid, I'd quit my OTHER job.  LMAO

Comments are welcome at ghostwriter@si.rr.com

Chapter 36

Hunter wasted no time once he and Jerric were back in their dorm room.
"Okay, let's hear it" he demanded before Jerric had even laid down his bag.

Jerric grabbed Hunter by the shirt and pulled him close.  "I love you."

Hunter backed away.  "Jerric, I'm serious.  What the hell is going on?"

"Kiss me, then we'll talk" Jerric countered.

Hunter had little resistance when it came to Jerric and he slowly stepped
towards him, waiting and wanting Jerric's strong arms around him.  Once
their lips touched, Hunter was quickly lost the comfort of Jerric's
embrace.  Passion took over and talking would have to wait.  Their
lovemaking was slow and tender and Hunter regretted his early words.  There
was no way something so good could be a mistake.

Still cuddled in Jerric's arms, Hunter once again broached the subject.
"Ummm, I think we got a little side-tracked earlier, but I'd still like to
know what's been bugging you the past few days."

Jerric rested on his elbow as Hunter lay on his back so that he could look
directly at Hunter while he talked.

"I should have said something early on, but I guess I'm just used to
handling things on my own.  Coach Jackson and I just got into a
disagreement and it really got to me.  It was nothing more than that,
honest."

"What was it about?" Hunter asked innocently.

'Damn,' Jerric thought, wishing Hunter would just drop it.

"It was about us," Jerric admitted.  "Jackson had some concerns about the
two of starting.  He was afraid the personal shit would get in the way."

"Why is that an issue?  I don't see me starting anytime soon."

Jerric grinned but said nothing, and Hunter knew something was behind that
smile.

"What's up Jerric?"

"I don't know anything, I swear!"

"Bullshit!"

Jerric knew better than to carry on the charade any longer.  There was no
way out now.

"Okay, okay.  Jackson plans on starting you this week-end.  He doesn't
think Mike has what it takes to run the offense.  He just can't think
quickly enough on his feet.  I agree with him.  If we want to make it to
the 'final four' Jackson needs to change the line-up."

A huge grin covered Jerric's face. "It looks like you and me in the
backcourt.

Hunter simply stared at Jerric, never saying a word.

"Well?" Jerric finally asked.  "Aren't you gonna say anything?"

In a barely audible voice Hunter managed to respond.  "I'm gonna start?"

"Yep, that's the plan."

Unexpectedly, Hunter leapt into Jerric's arms, wrapping his arms tightly
around Jerric's neck and his legs around his waist, and sending them both
tumbling onto the bed.

"Coach Jackson really said that right? Hunter asked, obviously needing some
reassuring.  "I mean, you heard him say it?  You're not just assuming I'm
gonna start? And what about your back? Are you even gonna be able to play
Saturday?"

Playfully, Jerric covered Hunter's mouth before he could continue.  "Christ
Hunter, take a breath before you hurt yourself."

Hunter nodded and Jerric removed his hand from Hunter's mouth.

"That's much better.  Now, for your questions; yes, I head him say it and
don't worry about my back.  Evidently it was just a spasm or something.
It's fine now."

"Shit!" Hunter said loudly as he jumped of the bed.  "If I'm really
starting then I have to get busy."  He was rummaging through the stacks of
papers on his desk.  "I hate this dam dorm room.  It's so small.  I can
never find what I'm looking for and I know the playbook was just here.  I
saw it this morning, so were the scouting reports and I can't find those
either."

He continued rifling through papers, many of which were now ending up on
the floor.

Casually, Jerric reached over and picked up the playbook that had somehow
gone undetected during Hunter's search.

"Is this what you're looking for?" he asked calmly.

Hunter reached for it and Jerric quickly put it behind his back.  "You can
have it after we talk."

Talk? Talk about what?"

"About what it's gonna take for us to win it all."

Chapter 37

With Saturday's game two days away Jerric and Hunter lounged quietly in
their dorm room, taking a well needed break from any discussion of
basketball.  The last two days of practice had tough, but both young men
felt confident that the hard work would pay off.  Hunter had just finished
up yet another of the seeming endless assignments thrown at him by his
professors and was nestled next to Jerric in his bed as Jerric ran his
fingers softly through Hunter's golden locks.  They both enjoyed these
peaceful moments, which with their schedules came few and far between.

When there was a gentle tap at the door the both looked at each other
wondering who was intruding on their precious time together.

"Dammit Jeff, don't you ever call before you come over?"  Jerric barked
before the door was even fully open, assuming his best friend was to blame.

Upon opening the door, Jerric realized his mistake.  "Oh, sorry coach I
just figured it was Jeff.  He has a habit of dropping by unannounced."

It took him only one quick glance at Coach Jackson to realize this was not
a casual visit.

"What's up?" he asked suspiciously.

Stepping inside the door and shutting it behind him Coach Jackson answered.
"I need to speak to Hunter."

"Coach, if this is about that D in economics, I've already talked to the
instructor.  There was input error on the computer.  I actually have an A-
in the class."  Hunter offered before the coach could even speak.

"This isn't about grades Hunter.  I wish it were.  I got a call from your
mom about an hour ago.  Your father was in a serious car accident.  The
doctors rushed him to surgery, but his injuries were too severe.  I'm sorry
Hunter."

Hunter sat back on the bed and took a long deep breath.  "How's my mom?"

"She was doing pretty well.  I know some family members were with her and
your brothers and sisters.  She wanted to call you herself, but she wanted
to make sure Jerric was with you when you got the news."

Hunter simply nodded, not really noticing that Jerric was now sitting next
to him, gently rubbing his shoulders and tears filling his eyes.

Coach Jackson continued.  "If you'd like son, I'll make some phone calls
and see how quickly we can get you a flight home?"

Hunter's response was quick and emphatic.  "That's not necessary.  I'm
won't be going to Casper.  There's no reason to."

Jerric was more than surprised.  Shocked was more like it. "Hunter, why
don't you think about this before you make your decision?"

"There's nothing to think about. He's dead.  Flying home isn't gonna change
that."

He grabbed a sweatshirt and a basketball off the end of the bed and hurried
past Coach Jackson. "I'm going to the gym.  I'll be back later."

Jerric was right on his heels, only to be stopped by Jackson.  "Let him go
Jerric.  He's hurting right now and I think its best if you just let him
blow off a little steam."

Jackson could see the pain in Jerric's eyes.  "I know you're worried about
him, but when he's ready to talk he will.  Now's not the time."

It was nearly 11 when Hunter returned, hot and sweaty from the 3 hours
spent at the gym.

"You okay?" Jerric asked softly, glad the Hunter was finally back.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" Hunter responded casually.

Jerric found himself stumbling on his words.  "Well I.... you
know..... with what happened..."

"Jerric, I talked to my mom while I was out.  She knows I'm not coming home
and she understands why.  I don't want to talk about it and I certainly
don't need to talk about it.  We have practice tomorrow and a game on
Saturday.  That's where my focus is and that's where yours needs to be too.
Remember what you told me? 'Don't the personal shit get in the way'.  You
need to take your own advice; I have."

Hunter's words stung, and Jerric struggled not to lash out, knowing it
would only make the situation worse.  "I love you, Hunter."

Hunter headed into the bathroom, never responding.

Chapter 38

"I'm not sure if he'll be here or not coach.  He left this morning while I
was in the shower.  He's said last night he was fine, but he's not.  He's
not going home, he won't talk about it and to be honest it hasn't seemed to
faze him at all."

Well, I'm gonna see how he does today, but I'm suspecting we'll have to
consider another option for tomorrow" Jackson explained.  "I don't see any
way his head will be in the game."

Jackson couldn't have been more wrong.  In the three hours of practice, the
only word that could describe Hunter's play was 'flawless'.  His passes
were right on target, he ran the offense like he'd been doing it for years
and his outside shots were effortless.  While everyone was impressed with
his play, they were far from enthusiastic with his demeanor.  While never
rude, he spoke little to any of his teammates and when he did the chill in
his words made it clear he was in no mood for any unnecessary conversation.

Jerric on the other hand, played like he'd never held a basketball in his
life.  The longer the practice went on, the more frustrated he became, only
intensifying the poor performance.  With a half hour left, Coach Jackson
had seen enough and pulled Jerric to one side.

"Look Jerric, its obvious today just isn't your day, how about you head for
the shower and just try to relax tonight.  I need you tomorrow and I need
you with a clear head."

"Are you fucking serious?" Jerric screamed.  "You're kicking me out of
practice?"

"I'm not kicking you out of anything Donovan.  I'm saying that you are
getting more pissed off by the minute and its affecting everyone. I know
that temper of yours and we just can't have it today."

"Fuck you! I'm not leaving."

Jackson was in no mood for Jerric's antics.  "Leave practice now Donovan,
take a shower and meet me at Geno's in an hour."

"What?"

"Please Jerric, just this once, don't question me and just do it."

Chapter 39

An hour later, Jerric sauntered into Geno's.  Typical for a Friday night,
the place was packed with college students putting the week behind them
with home-style pizza and ice cold beer.  Krista spotted him immediately.

"There my favorite basketball player."  She leaned in and kissed him
quickly on the cheek.  "Are you meeting Jeff here?"

"No, actually, I'm meeting Coach Jackson here, but I have no idea why."

"Ah, he just came in." She pointed to a small corner booth.  "Right back
there."

"Thanks"

It took him several minutes to make his way back to the table, being
stopped repeatedly by students and alumni both, wishing him well and
offering him unsolicited advice on how to play the upcoming opponents.

"Everyone is a fucking expert" he mumbled as he finally slid into the booth
across for Jackson.  "These guys play intramural ball and think they have
all the fucking answers.  If we played ball like they think we should we'd
be the laughing stock of the NCAA."

"You mood hasn't improved, I see."

"Not at all, and what the hell is this all about?"

"It's about knowing you as well as I do and seeing you needed some time off
the court for us to talk.  You know Jerric, for me it's not all about the
basketball.  Part of what I do, whether it's in my contract or not is to
help develop boys into men, not just basketball players.  I have a certain
responsibility for you off the court as well as on.  Today I saw two men on
the court that I'd never seen before.  Both were out of control. I'm
concerned about you guys."

"I'll be fine by game time coach, I promise."

"You haven't heard a word I said.  This isn't about basketball."

Jerric saw the sincerity in Jackson's eyes.  "You really mean that don't
you?"

When Jerric left Geno's an hour later, he had to admit he felt somewhat
better.  Although he and Jackson had butted heads on several occasions,
somehow the coach managed to have a calming effect on him when he needed it
the most.  He had helped him understand the situation with Hunter a bit
better, explaining that while some people openly grieve, others display
their loss differently.  Anger was a common escape.  It was like a volcano.
The anger would build and build until it could be held back no longer and
when the pressure got too great, expect an explosion.  It wasn't something
Jerric was looking forward to, but if it meant getting Hunter back, then
the sooner the better.

Instead of heading back at the dorm, Jerric followed his instinct and
stopped by the gym, hoping to find Hunter.  He hunch paid off.

Hunter was at the free throw line.  Jerric smiled slightly.  Hunter was
obsessed with free throws.

"Mind if I join you?"

"Actually, I do.  I'm kinda busy."

"You know, I'm only gonna put up with this bullshit attitude of yours for
so long."

"Fuck you Jerric!  If you don't like my attitude, then just leave."

"Why, so you can say I bailed on you like your dad did?  Let's face it,
that's what this is all about."

Jerric had struck a nerve and he knew it.

"Shut up, Jerric!" Hunter screamed.  "You don't know anything!"

"I know a lot more than you think.  I know you play ball because your dad
wanted you to.  You thought being a jock would make things better; that you
could mold yourself into the son he wanted.  You wanted him to be proud of
you."

Tears were flooding from Hunter's eyes.  "Stop Jerric. Please!"

"Tomorrow was supposed solve everything, wasn't it?  Him seeing you start
tomorrow for Duke on national TV was gonna mend everything...."

His stomach churned.  He knew how badly his words were hurting the man he
loved, but he continued.

"...and you're pissed because he died.  He died and you never heard him say
he was proud of you."

Hunter fell to his knees, sobbing uncontrollably.  "I just wanted him to
love me.  That's all I ever wanted, and no matter what I did, or how hard I
tired, I meant nothing to him."

Jerric cradled Hunter in his arms, holding him tightly as his body trembled
violently.  They sat like that, in the middle of the gym floor for nearly
half an hour as Hunter released years of pent up emotions.  When they
returned to the dorm room, Jerric helped Hunter shower and got him into
bed, rubbing his back until he finally drifted off to sleep.

With Hunter settled, Jerric reached for his cell phone and dialed Jackson
number.  After four rings the coach picked up.

"It's over coach, we have Hunter back."