HIS UNMATCHED AFFECTION

Chapter 19

Jake's POV

I know what little brother is thinking. We have trained together since childhood. I know he can make the run. From football it feels like chase now. Mike adjusts his helmet and knee pads. I know he is good at passing that's why we need extra defense on Eric.

"Ready?" Coach asks.

"In position", Mike says psyched up.

Instead of a forward pass Mike makes a backward pass to one of their fasted guys. He cuts across the field in lightning speed my guys are getting squashed and James and I are so far from him. Out of the commotion we forget to defend against Eric. The ball is passed to Mike again. He makes a perfect throw and it happens am the only one who can stop my brother. Am not good at defense but I have to try it.

"Please don't make me do this", I say out loud.

Am sorry bro but I have to crush your dreams. I tackle him down before he makes a touchdown. The coach blows the final whistle. We are both lying there breathing heavily. The stadium goes into a psychotic frenzy.

"Why did you go easy on me?" I ask still lying down.

"Soon you will be out of here and I will have all this for myself", He says.

"Really man, had I known", I say getting up.

"What? You wouldn't have made a deal with the devil? What's the catch", He asks also getting up.

I stand on my feet and stretch my arm to help him up too. The crowd cheers. I force a smile and wave specifically to Stacy and Clara. I can't believe Eric made his team lose for me. He would have gone past me very easily. I know he can any day any time because he is a little bit stronger but am fast.

"Let's just say it's gonna get awkward, thanks man", I say.

"We are Family, try to remember that sometimes", He says.

"All of you gather around", Coach says.

Both teams walk to the middle of the field. The crowd has started declining as everyone goes back to whatever they were doing. It's almost time to go home.

"Both teams played exceptionally well, both captains did their jobs and as far as am concerned you both won", He says.

My guys groan. Birds of the same feather. They still can't just take losing. They must win. Am not complaining though. I Love the mentality. My favorite sports person says you have to be selfish and give back later.

"This is the kind of mastery I need you to show at the game, it's also my duty to remind you that exams are around the corner. Seniors you are exempted from daily practice this being your finals. But you have to practice at least three days a week. See you next time", He says walking away.

Eric's POV

I know what you are thinking. I was a fool to lose. No I was not. There is no shame in losing to the best. Like I said soon this will be mine. Even Stacy will be back. This reminds me earlier on she was trying to tell me something. Let me hope its good news. I can see her and Clara walking out of the field. The fairest five are interchangingly pushing her in the wheelchair.

"You look happy", I say to James as we walk back to the changing room.

"What can I say, we won", He says.

"I smell something else fishy", I say.

If Jake refused to tell me then he definitely will. James is not good at keeping his joy to himself. The guy thinks everyone is happy for him.

"It is as a matter of fact none of your business", He says politely.

"Sounds like you", I say.

We both hit the shower and change into our clothes. I can't see Jake anywhere whatever it is must be beneficial and slightly harmful to Jake. He is a selfish guy he can’t sign up for something that will hurt him for the benefit of others, altruism in not his thing. I will find out but for now I have to get to Stacy. She had something important to tell me. Am really hoping it's good, something I would want to hear.

"Hey", I say.

"Hello loser", Clara says smiling.

"Am sorry to disappoint where’s Stacy?" I ask.

"With Jake, I want you with me", she says holding my hand.

Not again. Am not going to the janitor’s closet it's already time to go home. I would love to but not now.

"The janitors’ closet? Again?" I ask sounding surprised.

"No silly, you still horny I can make it even better", she says with a sick smile.

"Some other time, Stacy wanted to tell me something but it can wait, why do you want me with you if it's not the closet?" I inquire.

She ignores me and continues walking towards the parking lot where Jake and Stacy are still waiting. I would really want her to let us discuss this the two of us. I can't handle the awkwardness of both Jake and Stacy around. I rush to grab her hand, she turns around and looks at me.

"We both going home you got to help me with homework", She says and breaks free from my hold.

The first thing that hits me is my room. I left it unkempt as usual and she might want to get in there. It's my first time bringing a girl home, any other girl apart from Stacy to be exact. Only mum can save me. I take out my phone and text her.

E: kindly go by my room, make sure it's appealing.

I wait for some seconds for her reply. Jake is hooting the car.

"You can text on the way buddy", He says.

"Just a minute", I say raising my hand.

"Who are you texting anyway, Clara is here with us", Stacy teases.

M: I smell a guest l, don't worry I'll take care of it.

E: thanks mum you're a savior.

After I have send the text I walk briskly to the car. Open the door and take the back seat with Clara. She is all smiles. I can feel like they are talking with Stacy without talking. Women.

"Let's go Jake", I say.

"Says the guy who kept us waiting, off we go fam", He says happily reversing the car out of the drive way.

Stacy’s POV

Clara has ruined my plan to confront Jake and also to talk to Eric. But am not worried. I can still yell at Jake while she keeps Eric busy and when she leaves I will talk to Eric. I know why he delayed joining us. Even Clara knows that's why she was all smiles. She had told him impromptu she wanted to visit. Poor Eric did not have enough time to prepare I bet he was texting maryse. Off late Eric's relationship with his step mum has been thriving.

I overhead mum and maryse talking that she helps him with dressing. At founders dance Eric got to drive her car. Which is so anomalous. Maryse doesn't trust anyone with her car.

"Just a minute let me grab us something to drink", Jake says parking the car on the road.

He looks for some money in his breast pocket and gets out of the car.

"So why are you two all smiles?" Eric asks.

"Clara", I say holding laughter.

"No girl, I think you should be the one to tell him", she says laughing.

Eric looks more confused than before. I love it when a nerd like him gets a puzzle he can't decipher. It makes some of us feel at least we are better at something.

"It's about your obsessed texting," I give him some crumps.

The expectation, he will say it wasn’t someone important. He might even say it was just a team mate or a classmate asking to borrow a book. With boys you introduce something and watch them spill the beans.

"What’s wrong with texting, you all text. I was just texting a team mate", He says looking serious.

Bingo! There it is. We caught him. He is so green when it comes to girls. We both burst into laughter. Louder than the last time.

"What? You guys are making me nervous", He complains with a weak smile.

Jake returns with four bottles of coke and two bags of chips. The moment he gets in the car he analyzes the situation quickly.

"They already know bro, women always know before they ask", He says keying in the ignition.

The engine roars back to life and he hits the road again. I distribute the chips and soda.

"But it was just texting dude", Erick is still at it.

"Please make it easier for my brother", Jake begs with a smile.

Since he is driving I feed him. He looks like he is enjoying the little romantic show we are putting on. He biting the chips happily going to an extent of threatening to bite my fingers.

"Clara save your man", I say turning around to look at them.

Eric hasn't opened his soda yet. He is obsessed with getting to understand everything.

"Did you just text your mum?" Clara asks.

"Jake!" Eric shouts angrily.

"Not me brother, I told you women are complex", Jake says distancing himself from our realization.