Date: Fri, 11 Aug 2006 14:35:21 -0400 From: Miss Meehan Subject: Playing For Keeps - Chapter 6 It was the week of the Fullerton Falcon's first game. One of their toughest opponents was to be their very first challengers. The Falcon's had been ousted from March madness because of this team and it was the first time in Fullerton history that the school didn't make it past the first round of play. Under the new head coach's leadership, it was believed the team could go all the way to the championships. In fact, Lucas learned that the man he was sleeping with was supposed to be the team's greatest hope to accomplish that goal. Coach Styron had cautioned the team about extracurricular activities the week of their first big game. He would have been disappointed to learn his star player hadn't heeded his warning. "Oh god, Nate, are you supposed to be doing this," Lucas gasped with each stabbing thrust of his lover inside of him. "Worked like a charm in high school," Nathan grunted. "Wouldn't want to mess with tradition," Lucas gritted out. Hot and sweaty in the tiny room the two teens pressed their bodies closer together, not seeming to get enough of the other. A pounding knock on the door stilled the two. Nathan looked down into the frightened blue eyes of his lover and mouthed the words, "it's probably Haley," to reassure him. Grabbing his sweats and his tee off the floor, Nathan approached the door cautiously, calling out "who is it?" as he approached. "It's you're father." Nathan spun around in time to see his lover scrambling for his clothes as well, he stalled until the Lucas had his pants and shirt on. His hand shook as he opened the door. He prayed his father wouldn't see the guilt in his eyes and know instinctively what he'd been up to. Plastering on his best fake smile, he yanked opened the door and greeted his dad. "I was beginning to worry that you had a girl in here right before the opening game," his father said, not waiting to be invited in and giving Lucas a dismissive nod. "Dad, what are you doing here?" "I came up to see my boy play his first big college game," Dan said, sniffing the air and regarding the state of Nathan's bed. Nathan squeezed himself in between his bed and his father and began to talk rapidly. "The game isn't until Friday, today is Tuesday." Nathan noted the contemptuous gazes his father cast in Lucas direction. "Where are your manners son? Aren't you going to introduce us?" "Oh, Dad this is my roommate Lucas Roe, Lucas, my dad, Dan Scott." "Pleasure to meet you," Lucas said, extending his hand. "Mmm hmm," Dan said, snubbing the boy and continuing to survey the room. "When are you moving into the Fraternity?" Nathan glanced quickly at Lucas, who was visibly crushed by his father's question and his rude behavior. "Why don't I get cleaned up and we can go grab a bite to eat. You can wait for me in the lounge at the end of the hall." Dan nodded. He glared at the blond who was now standing nervously by the door. The minute the door was closed, Lucas collapsed against it as if he could keep the man out by sheer force of will. "I'm sorry about that," Nathan said, caressing his lover's cheek in the palm of his hand. "I'm sorry I won't be there to help you deal with him," Lucas smiled, throwing his arms around Nathan's neck. "Well, I'm sorry I didn't get to finish fucking you," the jock said, rubbing his lips against Lucas'. "Well I'm sorry I..." Lucas was cut off by Nathan's mouth devouring his own. "Your dad is waiting," Lucas half sighed. "Be here when I get back." Nathan kissed his fair haired lover deeply before pulling himself away to get ready for dinner with his father. Dinner turned into a heated debate about Nathan moving out of the dorm and Dan feeling the blond kid was a homo. Twice a waiter came over and asked them to lower their voices. Nathan was on the brink of telling his father the truth but knew that would just spell trouble for Lucas. His father had a vindictive streak that Nathan had experienced first hand when his mother had run off one summer and cheated on Dan with another man. Nathan finally gave in and agreed to pledge a fraternity just to get Dan off his back and keep his focus away from Lucas. Once back at his hotel, Dan phoned Karen. "I'm up at Fullerton and I've made a decision. I'm going to tell Lucas who I am." Part of Karen was shocked and angered that the arrogant prick would make such a decision without her. "Dan, you do nothing until I get there, do you understand me?" "Of course," Dan said coolly. Once he was off of the phone, he called Dean Durham. "I need you to arrange for me to meet Lucas Roe." "Why?" the Dean asked. He still couldn't get a handle on what Dan had against the boy. "I'll explain when we meet on Friday. I'm in town for Nathan's big game and I'd like to meet the boy before it." Dean Durham knew he had no choice but to agree for now. In another few months he was about to retire. He had thought of exposing Dan and himself in the process to stop the blackmail but the reality of needing an income had set in. The scandal might have gotten him fired but that was small in comparison to the damage it would have on his social standing after retirement. Ruining Dan Scott wasn't worth losing everything he worked hard for. "The game starts at six in the evening. I'll have him in my office at four." "I knew I could count on your cooperation," Dan replied before clicking off the phone. Nathan was livid by the time he returned back to the dorm. Lucas sat quietly on his lover's bed watching the teen kick his shoes off hard, throwing his tie down and generally having a tantrum. "Rough night?" Lucas grinned. The sight of the slender blond smiling up at him washed away all of his anger. Nathan collapsed beside his Lucas, laying his head in the teen's lap. "I hate him," he sighed. He felt Lucas' slender fingers in his hair, gently massaging away all the stress of his evening. "I hate him too," Lucas replied, leaning down to kiss his roommate. Nathan turned over on his back so he could look up into his lover's face. "I hate that he makes you this crazy," Lucas continued, gently brushing his fingers across Nathan's lips. "He wants me to pledge and move into a fraternity house. He thinks you're gay." "He's very perceptive," Lucas said dryly. "Lucas, you don't know him. He gets an idea in his head and he persists until things go his way. I don't want you in the middle of his lunacy." Nathan closed his eyes and tried to concentrate only on the feel of his lover stroking his cheek and comforting him. "What are you going to do?" Lucas concentrated on smoothing his hand over the worry lines forming on Nathan's forehead. "I want to tell him the truth and tell him to leave me the hell alone." Lucas noted the lack of venom in those words. He could tell his lover was tired of years of manipulation and just wanted it to end. "I'll stand behind you, whatever you want to do. In fact, if you tell you're dad, I'll tell my mom. We've got nothing to hide." Nathan looked up; studying the face of the teen he'd underestimated when they first met. Lucas had more strength and courage than most of the so called tough guys he played with over the years. "Once I come out, I'll probably have to quit the team." "Are you okay with that?" Lucas didn't want to be the cause of Nathan's shattered dreams. Nathan reached up, caressing his lover's chin with his fingertips. "You wanna hear something funny? I don't even like basketball. I've always wanted to be a musician." "But sweetie, you can't sing?" Lucas said barely keeping his face straight. Nathan lunged up, wrestling his lover down to the mattress and pinning his hands above his head. He straddled the blonde's hips and held him down, pressing his growing cock down and making small circles against Lucas'. When the blond groaned, Nathan leaned down and whispered in his ear. "But I know how to make you sing." Wednesday, Lucas got a note in his mailbox that Dean Durham wanted to meet with him on Friday at four in the afternoon. He only hoped the meeting would be brief because he wanted to see Nathan play his first game on campus. He also got a call from his mom saying she would be up at the school on Friday as well. He didn't tell her about the meeting but did invite her to the game and dinner after. Dan kept a low profile. He had a copy of the paternity test he secretly had done by blackmailing a a nurse at Lucas' grade school He was going to get rid of the boy sharing a room and from what he'd seen, probably much more, with his son. Dan pondered all the evidence he'd seen in that room when he visited unexpectedly. He started with the musky scent of sex, his son's rumpled and stained bedding, and the pair of briefs neither boy seemed to notice peeking out just from beneath the sheets. Dan prided himself on his ability to maintain his composure. His instinct was to beat his wayward son within an inch of his life for disgracing him, but his new plan was even better. Lucas looked to be the caring sort. Once Dan clued him in, he knew the boy would do the noble thing and leave his son alone. If that didn't work, there was always the threat of public disgrace. That tactic always seemed to humble even the most defiant of Dan's former adversaries. Nathan was happy his father had been too preoccupied to bother him for the rest of the week. He knew he'd see him again at the game but was hoping to avoid another confrontation. Nathan and Lucas had agreed that during spring break, they would come out to their parents. They would do it together as a couple. They were already making plans to move off campus when spring break was over and get jobs since Nathan was sure his father would cut him off once he learned the truth. Lucas had a scholarship, so at least his education was secured. By the time Friday rolled around, Nathan was pleased that he and Lucas' quiet routine had not been too thrown off by Dan's visit. Dan did call once to verify the time of the game but he didn't stay on the phone long. At four, Lucas arrived at Dean Durham's office. He was suddenly very nervous. At first he thought the Dean was probably following up with him concerning his medical condition. When he entered the stately office, he immediately felt small and unsure of himself. He approached one of the burgundy leather chairs and sat as Dean Durham folded his hands on the mahogany desk and looked him square in the eye. "I've asked you here as a favor to a colleague of mine who has taken a great interest in you." Dean Durham picked up the phone, dialed and spoke abruptly into the receiver. "He's here; you may come in and join us." Lucas was about to ask what this was all about when Nathan's father entered. "Lucas, this ..." "I know who he is," Lucas interrupted. "Oh?" Dean Durham said with surprise. "Lucas, I'm going to leave you two alone. I'll be outside if you need me." "I'd prefer it if you stay," Lucas said, trying to keep the pleading tone out of his voice. Dan sat in the chair adjacent to Lucas' crossing his legs and turning slightly to face him. "If this is about your son," Lucas began. "It is," Dan said, raising a hand to interrupt him, "but not Nathan. It's about my other son." Both Lucas and Dean Durham looked perplexed. "What other son?" Lucas asked carefully. "You," Dan said leaning towards Lucas, "you're my other son." "Dean Durham, we'll call you if we need you," Dan said dismissively to the shocked college dean. Once the older man had finally left, he turned his attention back to the befuddled boy sitting next to him. "I know this is a lot to digest and I've asked you're mother to come up and join me so we could explain it to you." Dan studied the boy carefully. If he didn't know better, he thought the teen was about to be ill. He knew it was perfectly understandable. The implications of what he just told the teen were probably beginning to sink in. Dan loved this part, watching the defeat creep across his opponents face slowly and steadily. Lucas was shaking like a leaf. His mouth was dry and he couldn't gather his thoughts into coherent sentences. He felt his mouth open one or twice to speak but abruptly snap shut again. "He's not my brother," was all that finally came out. "I'm afraid he is," Dan said with mock sympathy. "Through a fluke of fate, you both ended up in the same school and as dorm mates to boot," Dan laughed. "But I'm afraid from what I've seen; you've ended up as something else as well." Dan sat back in his chair and let his last words seep in. When Lucas' eyes widened with realization, the boy did become physically ill. He fell from his chair crawling to the waste paper basket just visible under Dean Durham's desk. He pulled it close and dry heaved over it for a few minutes. Tears stung his eyes and shame coursed through his body. Then defiantly, he wiped his mouth and rose, bracing himself on the edge of the huge mahogany structure. "I don't believe you," Lucas said miserably. "Your reaction tells me you do. Nonetheless," Dan continued nonchalantly, "I have proof." With that, Dan produced the paternity papers and watched his bastard son read them through bloodshot eyes. "It's not true," he said weakly, letting the papers fall to the floor. Dan leaned down and scooped them up. "I'm afraid it is. Just ask your mother when she gets here. You see, we were high school sweethearts. You were conceived after a rather rowdy graduation celebration but I'm sure she'll fill you in on all the gory details." "It can't be true," Lucas cried, sliding down the desk to the floor. "I know why this is difficult for you." Dan knelt before the teen, lifting his chin in his palm and producing a handkerchief to wipe the tears away. "But it's best you know the truth now before things went on any further. Being gay is one thing, but being in an incestuous relationship...well I don't know any recruiter who would touch Nathan should that leak out." Dan wiped away the tears that continued to mar his son's face. Finally, Lucas flinched away, fully understanding what Dan was saying. "You want me to leave him." "I want you to do what's best for him." Dan stood. His job was almost finished here. Lucas looked up at the man claiming to be his father. "You'd expose your own son." It came out more of a statement than a question. Lucas already knew the answer. "You're my son too," Dan said coldly. "I hope to see you at the game." As Dan was about to saunter out, Lucas found the strength to utter a few words. "Don't tell him. I'll do anything. Just don't...,"Fresh waves of shame swept over the teen. He had to speak to his mother. He had to know the truth. He pulled himself up just Dan left and Dean Durham entered the office. "You alright son?" He asked, knowing full well that if Dan was involved the boy wasn't. "I've gotta get back to..." Lucas wasn't sure where he could go. He couldn't face Nathan right now, let alone lay this burden on him. Haley was the only one he could trust but he doubted even she could still be his friend if learned the shameful thing he'd done. Lucas wandered the campus grounds for a while. He was afraid to go back to the dorm for fear he'd run into Nathan. He finally found a secluded bench hidden among some trees and sat, mulling over all Dan had told him. He wouldn't believe anything that man said until he spoke with his mom. He'd go to the game, have dinner with his mom and confront her about what Dan Scott had told him.