Walking to lunch I was so happy that it was senior year. The first few months had gone by smoothly. I was single, the girls were trying to impress me, but I just didn’t feel like it. Especially not after Juliann. God she was a bitch. I laughed at how I publicly dumped her at the prom. But now girls were trying to get me to take them to the homecoming and some were even pushing for prom. I wasn’t going to go this year because it wasn’t worth it.

Sitting at my table with some of my other football teammates and Lucas, I went over the list of my classmates that I would be graduating with in the spring with. I growled when I saw Marcus walk in with his friends and Brother, Nick.

“Have a plan to beat him this time?” Lucas joked with me. I grinned as I told him about the next plan I had if he teased Alison again.

Soon I was distracted with my friends joking about a party they went to. I smiled where needed and laughed where needed but I didn’t feel right listening to them. Glancing around the cafeteria a small group of people walking in caught my eyes. I easily named the four girls, but the tall guy between them I couldn’t name. His hair was just long enough that it blocked his face. Finally the group turned and the guy looked right at me. I sucked in a breath at those eyes that were looking directly at me. Before I could do anything, Lucas elbowed me in the ribs and I joined the conversation again. The rest of the lunch break I looked for the guy with black hair, a paint splattered shirt and bright green eyes that could be seen across a room. I didn’t know why I was drawn to them, but never have I seen eyes like his.

“Hey Lucas” I started our conversation as we headed to the field. I had an unsuccessful day finding the guy again.

“Yea bro?”

“I can’t figure out someone in our school and I swear I had all the names down.”

“What does she look like? She might be new.”

“No, it’s a guy.” Lucas stopped me with a hand on my chest. I looked up at him, and for the first time in a while he was serious.

“What’s going on?”

“I don’t know, I saw a tall guy with black hair and bright green eyes walk in with four girls around him at lunch. I could name all the girls, but I drew a blank with him.”

Lucas stared at me for a moment, but then we continued to walk to the fields.

“I think I know who you are talking about, but stay away. According to what I know he is supposedly a player. Steals other guys’ girls.”

Months passed and I put the guy out of my mind. I didn’t go to the homecoming dance. Instead I worked on getting ready for the marines. Jason and Jake were already ahead of Lucas and I. Luckily I wasn’t going to be last joining. I joined track in the spring so that I would be cardio ready. I was already muscle ready from being a quarterback on the football team, but I still wanted to be ready. I had programs already saved and ready to test for their IT team. I wanted to become the head of the department, and hopefully be able to help my brothers have safer missions.

Walking into the field house I saw someone sitting on the bench with a towel on their head and in baseball pants. The baseball team was doing well this year. Apparently their catcher was amazing and even had scouts after him.

Continuing to my usual locker I started getting ready for track. I was always early so that I could get a few miles in before the others. My mind noticed that it was too quiet for someone else to be in here. With my shirt off but arms still in the arm holes, I turned and saw the guy that was on the bench had his head tilted towards me. I couldn’t see his face through his hair. His voice startled me a little from its depth.

“You don’t want to continue while I’m in here.” His voice seemed almost like a sneer.

“What? We are both guys. Plus I’m almost done.” I ripped the shirt off and through it in my bag. With fingers about to unsnap my jeans, I suddenly stopped when I saw the other guy start to rush to get ready. “Dude, you were here first.”

“yea, but you will hate me if I stay and see.” I barely heard him mumble. He finally stood straight up and his hair moved from his eyes. Frozen in place I was caught in those green eyes again. “I dress before the others, because they asked. Don’t make me stay here and fight the little control I have with you.” He turned away and quickly finished getting ready for his game. I watched as he put on the catcher’s gear and then left the locker room.

I stood frozen in place for a few minutes before a few of the baseball players came in. One, a friend of Lucas’.

“Hey Luke…Dude, what’s wrong?” Jeremy joked as he started changing. Quickly I changed out of street clothes and into my loose practice clothes.

“What is the name of your catcher?” I asked when I walked to the door. Jeremy looked at me confused.

“What about him? He is the best catcher we have and it’s the only reason he is still on the team. No way in hell would we have a gay man on the team otherwise.” Jeremy teased

Waking up slowly from the dream I noticed something very important. It was almost noon. I got out of bed, showered and put on a black shirt and a pair of jeans before I went to the kitchen. Something caught my attention from the corner of my eye. I picked up the sheet of paper and read the note from Trevor.

Got a call from the wife, and had to head home. Enjoy your sleep. Don’t know what actually has you sleeping in. Leaving now at 10:30. Have a wonderful thanksgiving and I hope to get the guys together before Christmas. Give Alison our love.

                           ~ Brown

Chuckling I got breakfast and sent a text to Jason. It was his day to get Molly and take her to Alison.

U need a ride to get Molly?-Luke

No, but don’t mind having someone else distract Molly’s rambling-Jason

Great-Luke

Meet you at A’s at 2?- Jason

Yep-Luke

Satisfied with my planning I started to clean up the house since I hadn’t in awhile. Once done, I went to my computer and put everything on Shane in a folder and password protected it. So don’t need my brothers snooping in my computer. I made a quick sandwich for lunch and then headed for Alison’s place. I was there early with the Charger, but it gave me the time alone in Alison’s library to look through her books again and see what I could borrow from her. Once Jason arrived we left together in my car for Molly’s school. Molly talked non-stop about school and Jason kept her occupied. I was a little mad at him though because he was still dressed for business, and not casually for family.

“Are you on call for work or something?” I asked when we were at the station.

“No, but I am waiting for a call. I just didn’t get time to go home and change. Come on sweetie.” Jason picked up Molly and we walked to the side entrance of the building where we walked right into the meeting room/ kitchen. Molly squirmed out of Jason’s arms and ran for the bunk room. We followed her and noticed that it was empty. A woman came from one of the offices. She was an older woman, probably the business manager.

“Hello there, they went to a brush fire about two hours ago. They should be back in the next half hour to hour if you are willing to wait.” She smiled kindly at us before she disappeared back into the office. Jason and I shared a look and we just sat at one of the tables. Molly was happy doing her homework, while I read a book on my phone and Jason’s eyes were frowning at his. Probably emails from his office.

An hour passed before people started coming through the door that lead to the garage bay. A few average guys walked in with some older. Then the EMT crew walked in. Mary and Alison were in the middle of complaining about something before Molly jumped into her arms. Right behind them was Shane. He looked surprised to see me. I just gave him a shrug before I bookmarked my page and then put the phone away.

“How did it go?” Jason said after he put his phone in his coat pocket.

“Okay. Teens started it and were trapped in it. Only a little smoke inhalation.” She shrugged as her and Mary joined us at the table. I glanced at Jason and saw that he wasn’t paying attention to Alison.

“Who are you?” he asked sternly to Mary.

“Tinkerbell” Marcus teased as he passed by her. Mary then turned bright red before she started chasing Marcus around the room.

“Marcus leave her alone!” Tiffany scolded standing out of the way of their running. Who knew they had so much energy after a call.

“This is always fun.” I heard Alison mumble on a chuckle. Suddenly Mary was picked up by her waist and held off the ground while she squirmed.

“Damn you Steven let me go!” Mary yelled as she kicked him. I smiled as I watched Marcus walk to Alison and greet Molly. My focus went to Jason briefly and I saw him look astonished at Mary.

“That’s Mary.” I said to answer his question.

“Steven put her down.” Tiffany said with a smile as she touched his arm. Steven hesitated but listened to Tiffany. Mary’s face was still red but I watched as it went away and her temper went down.

“Bastard.” I heard Mary mumble before she went to the fridge. Mary then had something in her hands and was silently approaching a distracted Marcus. I glanced at Jason and shared a knowing smile. No one could move around without us knowing.

Looking back we watched as Mary shoved a handful of ice down Marcus’ shirt. Coming from a burning field to having ice down your back had to be shocking.

Jason and I laughed as we watched Marcus yelp and curse with different words than the normal as he fought to get his turnout pants off. Eventually he did, but didn’t get retribution on Mary. Instead he went back to the garage and put his pants and boots away while everyone else dressed the same way, did the same as him.

Alison sat with us and Mary settled down after she returned from the bunk room with a deck of cards. Her and Molly went at a game of Rummy, and even got Jason to join. As they sat together I swear I saw sparks arcing from between them as they sat beside each other. I left them to their game and went in search of Shane; somehow he had slipped out during the commotion.

Going down the steps I heard the tell tale signs of the pool table being set up. Stepping into the break room I watched Shane move around. All morning I had fought with myself about the dream. I don’t remember the events happening, but at the same time they felt real. His eyes were real and I did remember seeing the girls walking with a guy like him.

Silently I walked up to the rack and grabbed a pool stick, when I turned I saw that Shane was watching me curiously. I gave him a lopsided smile and twirled the stick.

“You didn’t think I would wait till the weekend to challenge you to another game. If you knew me, you should know I hate to lose.” Going to break I bent and made a clean break of the triangle. A stripe went in and I proceeded to shoot another three in before I scratched on purpose. Standing straight I looked at Shane with a mischief smile in place. He looked awestruck before his features went to his normal playful grin. He too shot a few in before he scratched.

“What not going to show off again?” I teased with a smile that seemed right.

“No,” I bent and took a shot while he talked. “It’s more fun this way.” He murmured. I straightened and looked sideways at him. He looked pained, but not the normal pained. When his eyes caught mine, I knew the look in his eyes. It was the same look that was in my dream. So much hunger in his eyes it made my body warm at just the simple scan his eyes did of me. Taking a shot I wasn’t surprised that I missed. My mind was too focused on the look Shane was giving me.

When Shane cleaned the board, I debated whether or not telling him about the memory. When he stood straight again and smiled playfully at me, I had my decision. I wasn’t going to tell him and spoil the good time we were having.