Letterman Jacket

15.5 / fifty days before

There were only sixteen seconds left on the clock, and the ball was in Faust's hands.

Desperately searching for an open spot, his eyes darted around the court, looking for a way to reach the net in time to shoot the winning point.

My heart raced, knee bouncing in anticipation and nervousness as I watched Faust fake a left, running across the gym floor, ready to shoot the ball while the opponent's defense players jumped to block it. He passed it to my brother instead, and Theo caught it with ease. East Hampton's players were taken aback as he bent his knees and flicked his wrist above his head before the ball passed through.

The cheers were deafening. Shooting up from my seat, I rushed down the staircase and jumped into Faust's open arms. Laughing, he twirled me around, hands locking around my waist. "Congratulations!"

He set me back on my feet and winked. "Every shot was for you."

I pressed my palms against his cheeks as I leaned forward to award him with a well-deserved congratulatory kiss. Squeezing my hips, Faust inhaled sharply in surprise as he shut his eyes.

"What was that for?" he breathed once I pulled away, baby blues wide and twinkling.

I scrunched my nose. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have startled you."

Faust reached for me again, tucking my head close to his chest. I listened to the fast beat of his heart amidst the sea of people still cheering for the win. "Don't apologize. I was just surprised that you actually kissed me first."

I didn't mind that his body was covered in sweat as I pulled him closer to me, my hands gripping the cloth of his jersey on his back. I didn't even care that we were still standing in the middle of the court as I frowned in realization. "I should probably kiss you first more often then."

Before Faust could muster a reply, he was suddenly being tugged away by Nico, who had an annoyed expression on his face. "Can you both save the lovey-dovey shit for later? Preferably in the after-party we're going to?"

Faust shoved him playfully. "I told you man, I'm taking Thea to dinner then I'm meeting her parents after."

Nico slung a towel on his shoulder before wiping it across his forehead, green eyes rolling. "You're the captain. You can't miss the after-party. You've never missed the after-party."

"Theo will be there," Faust said.

Nico switched his gaze to me. "It's not the same."

"It's okay." I offered a tight-lipped smile at Faust, whose eyebrows were now drawn together. "I told you you're not obligated—"

Faust ran a hand through his hair, a low growl emitting from his throat. "Thea, please shut up before I make you."

I closed my mouth and cleared my throat. Loud laughter came up from behind me. "Dude, really?"

JJ laughed once again, slapping his knee for effect. Faust let out an annoyed grumble and Nico simply rolled his eyes once more. "I feel so sorry for you, sweetheart," he said to me once his laughter died down, placing a hand on the small of my back. "I would've been a much smoother talker than Carter here."

"Hands off," Faust growled. "And stop trying to steal my girlfriend or I'll kick you in the balls. Friend or not."

Reluctantly, JJ raised his hands in the air and backed up a few steps, his grin never faltering. "The fact that she's wearing the jacket only proves how much of a caveman you can be when it comes to her."

My eyebrows rose. "What does that mean?"

Faust shook his head, forcing a smile. "It doesn't matter. Don't listen to him."