We arrived at the courts near Haru's house.

There as we walked up to the courts I recognized two players on the court. They were Chase Cook, from the second string, and sixth man, C.J. Williams.

Chase stands only about 5'10 with curly black hair and brown eyes. Pretty basic looking, but extremely nice. 

C.J. on the other hand stands about 6'8, (only about two inches shorter than our huge starting post). 

He is mixed. His dad an African American man who played basketball all through college, and was a close friend of my dads. (Or at least that's what my dad made it look like). His mom a beautiful Caucasian woman with bright green eyes and very dark blonde hair. A retired model. 

The result? 

A very handsome C.J. with dark skin and dazzling green eyes. More popular than Jordan or Haru.

"Oh he's here." I heard Jordan mumble. 

"Ehh? What is he even going on about?......I thought they were friends...playing on the same team.."

I scratched my head. "I guess being on the same team doesn't mean you are friends though...."

"But he's so nice..." I mumbled out loud.

Jordan gave an intense and angry look.

"What the fuu.."

"Yo!"

I jumped at the rise of Jordan's voice.

I then became extremely self conscious for some reason. I wasn't necessarily bad at basketball, pole vaulting in track had built up my athleticism. Also, since Haru had forced Luke and I to help him practice, we had developed decent skills. I've played three on three with guys from the basketball team more than once....

"But for some reason I'm so nervous this time..."

If I was to name the best quality about Haru himself, sense of humor and good friend aside, it would be his dedication to whatever he set his mind to.

That's why he is a starter.

His dedication and hard work.

"What's up?!" Said C.J. dribbling the basketball walking our way as we entered the gates. Chase followed behind quietly but smiling.

He has always been shy. It wasn't that he lacked talent, I believe Chase didn't make first string due to his shyness and not having the ability to put himself out there. 

He just didn't stand out enough.

C.J. and Jordan slapped hands and fist bumped. Then he turned to Luke and I and fist bumped both of us. "Coy good to see ya!" *fist bump* "Same to you Luke, you gloomy bastard you!" *fist bump* Luke glared at him.

"Awww..my wittle Luke. Hiding his feelings again...you know I was just kidding! Hehe!"

"Hey now!" 

Haru's voice shocked me.

He gently pulled C.J. off of Luke.

"He doesn't like to be touched." Said Haru gently.

Luke blushed.

"Aww..c'mon Haru!... it's just some skin ship between bros! Now C'mere Jordan! You are next!!!"

He grabbed Jordan by the waist and pretended to give him a kiss on the cheek. Jordan acted annoyed trying to push him off.

I felt a little pang in my heart.

"Eh?"

"If I didn't have a girlfriend I might actually chase after you!" He giggled.

Pang!*

Out of no where I had flash backs of sleeping next to Jordan. 

"And then...in the shower.."

I shook my head closing my eyes, trying to erase the memory.

"Lets play!!" 

Everyone turned to me.

"This is the most enthusiastic I've ever seen you when it comes to us playing ball!" Said Haru happily.

"Well..."

"They don't even know I am just desperate for an outlet to rid my brain of those images." 

"Alright then it's settled!" Said C.J. "Three on three, shirts vs skins, loser buys everyone pizza and arcade tokens on Friday!..Lets go!"

"What are you a kid?" Joked Jordan. 

"Although it does sound fun." 

He smiled at me.

Shiver~~

Dribbling the ball like it was second nature, C.J. then said, "Okay who's shirts and who's skins?"

I was most comfortable playing next to Luke who already had his shirt off. 

Therefore, I began to pull mine off. 

Next thing I knew I felt hands pulling my shirt down and then I came to a very serious realization...

I had forgotten that Jordan was here this time. 

I suddenly felt very embarrassed.

I ripped my shirt all the way down. 

"He looks pissed......wtf."

"It's not fair to have two members who don't play basketball on the same team." Jordan said as he pulled his shirt off.

Gulp.....

"Please...Oh merciful God in heaven, Buddha, whoever, please don't let me..."

I stared at Jordan's chest.

"Ehh?..my dick isn't even twitching.." 

My eyes widened.

"Coy......isn't that the way it should be?!?!....So why do you feel disappointed?!? " I said to myself in my own head. You know..like an insane person.

"Chase, you and Coy can be shirts with me." Said C.J., now in full throttle basketball mode.

"Luke, you can be skins with Haru and Jordan. Fair enough?"

We all agreed.

"We flip this quarter for first ball." Started C.J. 

"Jordan heads or tails?" He asked.

Jordan smirked discretely at me. 

"Heads." He replied slyly.

Thump.. 

"Ugghhh what now with the heart?"

I clenched my chest.

"Chase, Haru, lets get some water before we start." C.J. said stopping. Chase and Haru agreed.

They then told us to wait just a second before we were to get started because they had already been playing so hard before we got there.

I glanced around now nervously.

I saw Luke, hand in his pocket, the other playing on his phone.

"But where is ..." 

"Don't think for a second that this counts as one of the "tasks".  Whispered Jordan in my ear from behind.

"I can feel the heat radiating off of his body..."

"Like last nighh.."

Tha-dump! Tha-dump!*

"Don't think about it!"

Everyone looked at me.

"Ah sorry.....I didn't sleep well last night, and since the second semester is coming up I was thinking about all of the work we are going to have to do. Haha..."

"Shit.."

Jordan stepped back and the warmth went away. 

That saddened me for some reason.

"Yo Jordan you ready?!" Called C.J., seeming refreshed. Chase and Haru were following behind.

Jordan snickered at me knowing damn well what I was truly thinking.

Well.....part of it anyway.

"Yes sir!" 

He looked back at me and smiled before going up to the center line.

Him being the second tallest meant he was one of the players in the two man tip off in practice games.

That's how we decided who gets to call heads or tails

In the center ring Jordan kept his hands on his hips.....V line showing as well as the top of his boxers.

Ba-dump! Ba-dump! Ba-dump!

"Why is my dick under control but my heart is acting up?!"

Flip~

"It's heads!... Jordan cowboy up! ...Lets play ball!" Called C.J.

"Haha! Don't threaten me with a good time!" Jordan retaliated.

"I didn't know he had such a good sense of humor."  I giggled.

Thump! Thump!

Luke walked over to me as I watched Jordan dribble the ball outside of the line ready to pass it into Haru.

He leaned in close.

"Try to keep your emotions in check Coy." He said.

"Whhaa...what do you mean?" I said.

Luke squinted his eyes at me.

"Dude.......your face is red as a tomato..."

"Eh?!?!"

"God you're dumb." He said.

"Hey now!....it's hot out!" I said, trying to counter what I knew was the truth.

"Hot.......It's nearly the end of fall you fucking moron. If you are going to lie for the love of God come up with something better."

"Ahhhh shit.."

"Just try and thank your lucky stars that you are not in gym shorts. Seems as though that blood from your head isn't just going to your face."

"EH?!?!"