Date: Thu, 11 Apr 2024 19:40:28 -0400 From: D Dragi Subject: Chapter 19 The Courage to Care Please give your financial support for this site. Nifty provides these great stories free for all of us but they still need some donations to keep things going. So give what you can to keep this site available to all. I want to thank my readers again for their comments and suggestions. They truly make my day and I love receiving them. I promise to write back as soon as possible. So if you like please drop me a line at tughill1383@yahoo.com. I really enjoy reading them and am most appreciative for the email. Chapter 19: Brawling, Busting, and Bonding The week went by quickly and it was the same routine of school, practice and home. I kept it cool with Melanie so as not to anger her father and I was really focused on the sectional finals. Melanie was good about it and told me after we win that I would be doing a lot more shooting. I gave her a big kiss and thanked her for being so understanding. Before practice on Friday, Connor grabbed me and pulled me into the supply room. He locked the door then got down on his knees and undid my pants. He pulled out my dick, put it in his mouth and started going up and down on it. I just stood there in shock loving every minute of it. He moved up and down my stiffening shaft and I let out some moans as he flicked his tongue over my knob. I grabbed his hair and pulled him in closer. He then started playing with my balls as they tightened. He started going faster and deeper taking every inch. I yelled out I was cumming and waves of my cum shot down his throat. After he swallowed my load and stood up I asked what that was all about. He told me this was a preview of our time together in the cabin. We then deeply kissed one another and I told him I would return the favor. He laughed and said "damn right you will." We got ready for practice and throughout the entire practice I couldn't take my eyes off of Connor. The intense feeling I had for him was all I could focus on. I was daydreaming of being in the cabin with Connor and just pleasing one another for hours on end. The coach yelled at me saying "Earth to Jake." I said sorry coach and continued the drills. After practice I was staring at Connor's beautiful naked body in the shower. I was having trouble not getting a hard on looking at him thinking what we were going to do together. I strutted over to him and slapped him on the ass. "What the hell was that for" he asked. "Just my way of saying thank you." When we got out of the showers we dried off, got changed, and headed out of the locker room. Outside were Ashley and Melanie and we greeted our girlfriends with a kiss. As I was driving Melanie home she told me to pull over at this secluded spot off of the road. She unzipped my pants and pulled out my dick. She leaned over and started working my dick. She used her hand and mouth going up and down getting me hard. As she continued working my shaft I just leaned back and enjoyed it. I told Melanie I was getting close and she continued working my raging hard on. I yelled "I'm cumming" and this time Melanie kept my cum in her mouth. She then grabbed a tissue out of her pocket and spit my cum in it. She got back into her seat and said "You can take me home now lover." I looked over at her and said "you are the best." She replied, "and don't you forget it." I dropped her off at her house and she told me to call her tomorrow. I told her I would and drove off. On the ride home I had the biggest broadest smile on my face. Two blow jobs in one afternoon. Not a bad day. When I walked into the house I was strutting with a cocky confidence. Matt saw me and said, "good day?" "The best" I said. "Want to share" Matt asked. "Maybe later" I told him. I went upstairs to put my gym stuff away and get ready for dinner. At dinner I talked to Matt and Brad about Connor and I spending some time at Connor's cabin. It would be just the two of us because both Ashley's and Melanie's family would be away that week. Both Matt and Brad said it would not be a problem. We talked about the upcoming game and how I was feeling about it. I told them it was a great practice today and then started to laugh. Both Matt and Brad gave me a quizzical look not understanding my reaction. If they only knew. On Saturday morning when I went down to the kitchen Brad reminded me that Valentine's Day was coming up and if I had anything planned. I told him I forgot all about it focusing on the game. Brad asked if I had any idea of what I wanted to do for Melanie. I replied I'm not sure. "Flowers?" That's a start said Brad but I think you can do better than just flowers. I asked if he had any ideas. He told me when he was at Mr. Walters jewelry store picking out his gift for Matt he saw a beautiful locket and thought it would be perfect for Melanie. I asked him if we could go together and show me the locket. He said he had to pick up Matt's gift today and that we can go together. I asked him what he got Matt and he told me he got Matt an 18 karat gold pair of cuff links with an M engraved on them. Nice I told him. As I sat there eating my breakfast I couldn't get over the look on Brad's face as he described the cuff links. He became so animated as he described them. It was clear by the tone in his voice and the look on his face that Brad deeply loved Matt. Brad went on to say he had a musical number prepared to entertain Matt after dinner. I just laughed and called him a ham. Brad then said "there is nothing too good for that man." "When I think of all that he has done for me." "The sacrifices he made to be with me." "I will forever be grateful for him and let him know how much I love him every day." When I looked at Brad I realized that the deep love Brad has for Matt is exactly how I feel about Connor. I thought of Connor all the time. Wanted to be with him. I wanted to have the life that Matt and Brad was living. Could it be I wondered. After I finished breakfast Brad and I left for the jewelry store. When we got to the jewelry store it was obvious that Mr. Walters the owner was gay. He looked at me and said to Brad "so this is your young prince." Brad smiled and said "That's him." Mr. Walters was drooling looking me up and down undressing me with his eyes. Brad noticed and said "Knock it off." "He's off limits." Mr. Walters cooed and said "it doesn't hurt to look and admire such a good looking handsome young man." Brad said "and that's all you'll do is look." "Calm down mother" Mr. Walters said to Brad. Brad asked if the cuff links were ready and Mr. Walters said they were in the back and he would get them. As Mr. Walters went to the back Brad started looking for the locket. When he found it he called me over. It was a gold heart with a gold chain. I looked at it closely and thought it would make a great gift for Melanie. I thanked Brad for his help. Mr. Walters came out with the cuff links and showed them to Brad. As he opened the box there they were. The solid gold cuff links with an M engraved on the front. Mr. Walters said "you are one lucky man to have someone as gorgeous as Matt to call your own." "You know how many other gay men in the town lust after him?" "I know" said Brad. "But he's all mine and I'm never giving him up and if anyone thinks of making a play for Matt it will be their last." "Protective little wench" sneered Mr. Walters. "Just protecting what's mine" said Brad. When the banter ended Brad said that I would buy the locket for my girlfriend. "One lucky girl" said Mr. Walters. "Any chance you might also be interested in buying a ring?" Brad jumped in immediately and said "not for a long time." "Just asking" said Mr. Walters. I paid for the locket and Mr. Walters went to the back to gift wrap our gifts. He came back and put the gifts into a little black and pink shopping bag. Brad grabbed the bag and we headed home. When we got home Matt asked where we were. Brad told him we were out shopping for Valentine's Day gifts. Anything in that little bag for me asked Matt. "Never you mind" said Brad. "you are just going to have to wait." I told Matt I bought a heart shaped gold locket for Melanie. Matt told me that was a good choice and he said he thought Melanie would love it. I went upstairs with my gift and then called Connor. We started talking about the upcoming game and I asked him if he was nervous. He told me a little and how he wished the game was on our home court. He told me the Clover Plains crowd has a rough reputation. I told him I heard the same thing. Connor said he thought it was going to be a tough fight. Connor then told me about next week and we could spend three days at the cabin. He said we could pick up some food and beer and just hang out. I told him it sounded perfect and that I would be counting the hours. I told him I see him at school and hung up the phone. I just laid there on my bed thinking about the upcoming days at the cabin. The two of us alone for three whole days. It was just too good to be true. I slipped my hand down my pants and started stroking my dick thinking about what I wanted to do to Connor those three days. His beautiful cut 8 inch dick. That tight bubble butt. Those beautiful eyes and silky sandy brown hair. The hairless chest and tight abs. I continued to stroke fast and then blew my load all over myself. I just laid there on the bed panting and I broke out in a big smile. Oh yeah, I thought to myself. It's going to be one hell of a three days. I stayed in my room listening to music getting psyched for the game. I ate an early dinner because the bus was leaving at 5 because it was an one hour drive to Clover Plains. After dinner I got showered and changed, grabbed my bag and said goodbye to Matt and Brad. They wished me luck as I went out the door. When I got to school I went to my locker to grab my uniform. When we got on the bus Connor and I sat in the back seat. The bus driver was playing the local rock station on the radio. Connor and I sat close to one another and his scent was intoxicating. I put my hand on his thigh and started moving up and down. He pushed my hand away and told me to cool it. I pulled my hand away and just sat there for the rest of the ride. When we got to Clover Plains there was a welcoming committee waiting. When we got off the bus we were jeered and booed. Students were screaming "you suck." I couldn't wait to get into the locker room and away from the crowd. This was just the beginning of a rough and long night. Coach spoke to us and told us not to get rattled and ignore them. We got dressed into our uniforms and when we stepped out onto the court a chorus of boos rained down on us. The student section then started to chant "Watson sucks." I looked at Connor and laughed. We continued our shoot around with a barrage of obnoxious cheers. Over the PA system the song "We Will Rock You" by Queen was blaring and the Clover Plains fans were stomping on the wooden bleachers making an incredibly loud noise. When the buzzer sounded and we got off the court the introductions were another round of insulting jeers and chants. The gym was packed and the crowd was loud and hostile. With their two big men Clover Plains easily won the opening tip off. The worked the ball easily inside and were up 2-0. One of their big men came to cover me and when I went up to shoot the ball was thwarted back and out of bounds. "Just the beginning boy" said the Clover Plains player. During the second quarter I went in for a rebound and was met by a flying elbow against my nose. Blood started running down my face and onto my uniform. Play was stopped and a technical foul was called against Clover Plains. I went to the bench and had two cotton rolls stuffed up in each nostril. I went to the foul line and sunk both free throws. I thought to myself "game on." I knew I would need to resort to my street ball days in the city where play was rough and there were no fouls. That meant knees to the groin, leaning in with my shoulder to push the player back, and cutting straight to the basket hard into the defender. The refs were letting us play and it was time to toughen up. My tactics began to work as I was able to free myself up for clear shots to the basket. By the time we got to halftime we were only down by one point. In the locker room the coach told us not to take any of their shit and give it back to them just as hard. He told the team to follow my lead and use my tactics. I told the rest of the team that meant elbows out wide, hands in faces, and driving hard to the basket. I told them this was New York City street ball and to take no prisoners. The start of the third quarter was rough as both teams were overly aggressive. I don't think the players from Clover Plains were accustomed to another team giving it to them as well as they were dishing it out. Tensions were high and there was a great deal of pushing and shoving. This wasn't a basketball game. It was a street fight. The refs let it go on and made only the most obvious calls. As the two teams battled back and forth the crowd was in a frenzy and was chanting incessantly. You could hardly hear yourself think it was so loud. On one play I drove to the basket and lifted my right knee that went right into the chest of the defender. He was pushed back and out of the way as the ball went through the basket. The ref didn't call a foul and the crowd was incensed. My uniform number was 22 and they started chanting "Fuck you 22." On a later play Connor and another player were scrambling for a loose ball and fists started flying as the two of them fought for the ball. Connor got the ball then one of the Clover Plains players kicked Connor in the side trying to get the ball. The ref blew the whistle as Connor laid there on the floor trying to catch his breath. I went over and pushed the player and the next thing I knew the players started exchanging punches and the respective benches emptied. It took a good five minutes for the refs to get control of the game. The teams were sent back to there benches as the refs tried to decide what they were going to do. The player who kicked Connor was thrown out of the game which was met with screaming insults from the crowd. That was the only foul called. Connor went to the foul line and sank both free throws. We were now up by three points with 17 seconds remaining in the game. Coach called a timeout and told us to hold onto the ball until the clock expired. There was no shot clock then for high school basketball. Connor took the ball and was looking to throw it in to me because I was the best foul shooter on the team. When the ball came my way, I felt a sharp shove in my back and I dropped the ball. The ball was scooped up by Clover Plains who raced down the court and sunk an easy lay up. We were up by only one point with 12 seconds left in the game. When Connor tried to inbound the ball to me I was ready. I pushed the defender off of me and grabbed the ball and worked my way down the court. All of sudden a huge hand came crashing down and I felt an elbow crash into my nose. I screamed in pain and the ref blew the whistle. There were only 3 seconds left and if I sunk the two free throws it would seal the game for us. But my nose was throbbing and the pain was intense. Coach called time out and placed an ice pack on my nose to reduce the swelling. I just wanted to stay on the bench with the ice pack but when the buzzer sounded I got up and went back out on to the court. I stood there at the foul line and the crowd was screaming at the top of their lungs. I had to clear my head and concentrate. It seemed like an eternity. I bounced the ball a few times and the crowd counted the times I bounced the ball. I put up the first shot and it was good. We were now up by 2 points. One more shot and the sectional championship was ours. I looked over at Connor and he said to me "you got this." When the ball left my hands it was like living in slow motion. The basket was good and we were up by three. With only three seconds left and no three point shot Clover Plains was up against it. The ball was tossed in and the player from Clover Plains threw it up and it hit the backboard and landed harmlessly on the floor. Game over. Our crowd came streaming out of the stands but were met by Clover Plains fans and a fight broke out. Coach tried to gather us together and head to the locker room. But before he could, I felt a sharp punch to my face. I looked at the fan and started to wail on him. Clover Plains players came over and the two teams were now going at it. It was a melee. The refs tried to break it up and the coach was yelling for us to get to the locker room. As we headed to the locker room the local police were on the court trying to break up the fight. We got into the locker room and my nose was bleeding again. I took a towel with some ice and pressed it against my nose. Connor also received a good blow to his right eye and he too had ice on his face. Coach came over to check if my nose was broken but fortunately it wasn't. While we were in the locker room, Matt, Brad, and Connor's father tried to escort Connor's mom, Ashley, and Melanie safely out of the gym. Connor's mom wasn't having it. She went out into the forefront and said if any one of those bastards come after us I will beat the living hell out of them. Connor's dad looked over at her and said "that's my girl." They scrambled out of the gym and headed to the parking lot where they were met with a barrage of bottles and cans. They quickly got in their cars as the bottles crashed around them. The coach told us to stay put in the locker room until the police had control of the situation. We sat there for over thirty minutes tending to our wounds. We gathered our clothes and put them in our gym bags. We put our sweats over our uniforms and waited. Although we were batter and bruised, that did not supplant the celebration of being sectional champions. A group of state troopers entered the locker room and escorted us to our bus. As the bus was pulling out we opened the windows and we yelled out "We're Number 1" and flashed them a finger that wasn't usually used to chant were number one. Coach told us to close the windows and settle down. The bus driver was cranking the radio and like something out of the movies the song by Queen "We Are the Champions" came on the radio. We sang it at the top of lungs. It was one rowdy ride home. When we got back to the school, we saw our parents and friends waiting for us. Melanie came rushing over looking at me and crying "Are you alright baby?" she threw her arms around me and started kissing me all over my face. I pulled her away because I was afraid she would hit my nose. I told her I was alright and I would be fine. Brad came over and looked at me and let out a screech. He turned to Matt and cried, "will you look at our boy." Matt in a calm voice asked how I was and I told him sore but ok. Matt said he saw I got in some good punches on the Clover Plains player and he was happy to see it. Brad looked at Matt and said "violence is never the answer." Connor's mom came over as Connor and I were standing there in the parking lot. "Well aren't you two a sight" she said. She hugged both Connor and I and said she was proud of us. I looked at Matt and said I didn't want to drive home and could Brad take my car home. Brad said he would and Matt and I got into his car. I just sat in the car holding the ice pack against my nose. Matt told me that coach told him that there were college scouts at the game checking me out. I said "really?" "Cool." I asked Matt where they were from and he said one was from the University of Pennsylvania, another from Syracuse and he said he thought the third was from St. John's. I just sat there taking it all in and was excited to know that I was being scouted. Matt told me that with this win you can probably expect a great deal more attention from colleges and universities. "But I'm only a junior" I said. "Doesn't matter" said Matt. "When they see talent they want to get them signed as soon as possible." I just sat there in disbelief. Then I started thinking of Connor and I going to the same school and being roommates. We could be together in our dorm room. A broad smile came across my face as I thought about it. Matt looked over at me and asked "What are you thinking?" "I didn't think about being recruited by colleges and universities and I can't believe it." "Well believe it young man because you are going to be one popular prospect" said Matt. When we got home, I told Matt I was going upstairs to take a shower. Brad was just mumbling "I just can't believe that game." Matt said he thought that there might be some sanctions doled out to Clover Plains. In and indignant voice Brad said "that school should be barred from playing any sports." Matt said he was glad that Jake was home safe and that he would take him to the doctor to get checked out tomorrow. "I'm coming with you" insisted Brad. Matt sarcastically replied, "Would I expect anything different." When I came downstairs the adrenaline from the game was draining out of my body and I was physically and mentally exhausted. Brad told me to sit on the couch and he would bring me a big piece of chocolate cake and some cold milk. Matt asked if I was feeling any better after the shower and I told him a little. He looked at me and said "Now on to the state tournament." I just sat there thinking about us being state champions. We wouldn't know anything until at least Tuesday but just the thought of it excited me. Brad came in with the chocolate cake and milk and we sat and watched the local news. No interviews after that game. The opening story was about the fight and violence at the sectional game. The reporter went onto say how the refs lost control of the game and from then on out it was a free for all. The reporter went on to say that Watson prevailed because of the shooting of the dynamic duo but it came at a price. Then a picture of me walking to the bench with my nose bleeding was on the screen. The reporter went on to say that despite the physical play Watson will move on to state tournament. He commented how the Watson team was up to the physical challenge we faced and met Clover Plains blow for blow. Then there was footage of the reporter in the middle of the fight after the game and being jostled about the court. He went to a clearing on the court and talked about the police needing to break up the fight as the Watson players dashed to the locker room. There was also footage of our fans running out to the parking lot, bottles and cans being hurled, and the state police escorting us to our bus. There were constant beeps on the audio to cover the cursing. When the sports section came on the reporter was just full of compliments of how Watson was able to meet the onslaught of Clover Plains. He pointed out that although Connor and I were battered and bruised we continued to sink shot after shot. Then the reporter said that someday soon you will see this dynamic duo of Watson lighting up the scoreboard for some lucky college or university. The reporter went on to say that Watson would be a tough out in the state tournament and said a state championship could be coming home to Watson. After the news ended I told Matt and Brad I was going upstairs to bed. They both hugged me and said how happy and proud they both were. Matt said we would be going to the doctor's tomorrow. When I got upstairs I collapsed on my bed and fell into a deep sleep.