Dereck's Pov:

The rest of the day passed by fairly easily. After lunch the whole student population was buzzing about Robert being back and our little reunion at lunch.

The entire thing was quiet and only the three of us know what was said but that didn't stop people from wanting to talk about it and guess at what went down and what will happen in the future. I even heard a few people placing bets that Robert and I will have another fight by the end of the week.

The bell just rang to release us for the day but I have a report to write so I told Vin I'd meet him at practice after I pick up the books I need from the library.

I pushed the door open and walked to the back where the reference books are. I grabbed what I needed and started to walk off but I noticed someone from the corner of my eye and veered that way. He was crouched down scanning a lower shelf. He heard me coming and straightened up.

"Hey, getting stuff for Mr Higgin's report?" I asked glancing down at his stack of books.

"Yeah, Man that guy is such a d*ck. It's the first day back and we have to write a 4 page essay on how the ecological and economical structures of early American history are related and blah blah. What the hell happened to senior year being fun and easy?" He complained walking toward the check out counter.

"No joke, I was looking forward to just coasting this year but with hard asses like Higgins it's never gonna happen."

We walked out and since he's on the team with us headed to practice together. We walked silently for a few minutes. Finally I couldn't take the awkwardness and stopped him outside the gym.

"For what it's worth, I'm sorry. I really had no idea and even though it was unintentional I'm sorry that you got hurt. I really hope you find someone who cares about you like you deserve and I know Vin will come around and we can all get back to being friends. Just give him sometime, he's not as.... forgiving as I am."

"There is ah someone. He was a big part of me coming to my senses but it's um complicated." He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"It made me realise that what I felt for you was just a crush and then it was more like.... Well like I fell for the ideal of you. The one I built up when I pushed the actual person away. But with him it's all real. I've figured out that "real" is really scary and complicated."

He looked so mixed up and overwhelmed that I gave him a hug and smothered the laugh that wanted to pop out.

Not that it was funny, just that it was funny that a few months ago I was in his exact shoes. I pulled away and slung my arm over his shoulder and led him to the locker rooms.

"I know exactly what you're going through. But if you can get through the emotional freak out it's worth it. I think that's how you know it's love. When it's exciting and exhilarating. When you feel like you're finally awake and the colors are brighter and smells sweeter but all that is tinged by the fear of it being too good to last or the other person coming to his senses."

He nodded, his eyes wide. "Exactly. With him everything feels so complicated and dramatic. Every emotion is heightened and multiplied. Just his smile could make my day and his laugh made me want to dance a jig or some gay ass crap ya know. I freaked, if something so small could affect me so much what would happen when he figured out it wasn't working for him. That I wasn't as great as he thought? When he ended it because someone better came along... So I left the other school and haven't answered his calls or texts and man this sucks. I feel like I should be staring in Dawson's Creek or some other melodramatic crap."

I looked up and saw Vin and the guys watching us closely and rolled my eyes. They still don't trust him but I saw how sincere he was and I believe him. He caught my eye roll and glanced over his shoulder.

"Thanks for the talk but I better back off. I don't want to make things worse between Vincent and me and I don't want to cause problems between you guys. Seeing you two together makes me realise that y'all are the forever kind of couple and what y'all have is real. It gives me some hope for-"

Vin slid between us and crossed his arms. "You two are late. 8 laps around the basketball court." He demanded.

I glared at him but he was focusing on Robert.

I rolled my eyes at his crap and then a brilliant idea came to mind. I slid my arms around his waist and smiled at him for a second before addressing Robert.

"Why don't you come over after practice and we can finish talking and catching up. Maybe order pizza." I said completely ignoring Vin's arm tightening around me and the glare I was almost positive he was sending my way.

Robert looked between the two of us and started to shake his head no. But I cut him off. "We can sort out all that stuff we were talking about and maybe I can help. So WE"LL see you after practice."

"Umm if Vincent doesn't-"

I cut him off again. "Of course he doesn't mind. He's been wanting to catch up all day but hasn't had a chance. Right babe?" I said finally looking his way. His eyes narrowed but he nodded.

When Robert walked off I pulled out of his arms and glared my 'you're in deep shit' glare at him before I stalked to my locker to change out.

"You're captain, what kind of example are you setting by traipsing in here late all hugged up on another guy whom you have a history of beating? Huh? What the hell was that all about?" He demanded to my back as I marched out with an equally pissed off Vin behind me. I stalked to the center of the court and whistled.

When I had the teams attention I sent a smirk at Vin then yelled

"You're co-captain thinks we've been too lax with the late policy. So he brought his concerns to me and I see the validity of his point. Since we all seem to have issues getting here and on the court in a timely fashion. It's 8 laps around the court then on with practice. Make sure you thank Vin for bringing up this very serious concern on the first day of basketball practice. Hell what kind of example would I be setting if I let it slide this FIRST day! Get going!"

In all fairness I was late too so I led the group. Vin shot me a look and fell in behind me. I turned and ran backwards.

"Vin I think you should be at the back. Making sure everyone is doing as you think." I turned back around and sprinted forward.

When the laps were over the team started the lay up excesses and when Robert passed by he stopped and glanced around. "Captain, you know the guys are pissed at Vincent right?" I nodded and smiled.

"Yep but they'll get over it. Might do him some good in the mean time."

"Dereck, I didn't come here to start crap but it seems like maybe it would be better to just let a cease fire stand and not try to work everything out. Because it's obvious that Vincent isn't willing to let everything I did slide. Not that I blame him, I definitely deserve more then his cold shoulder but you and him don't need to be fighting about me."

I took my eyes off the court. More specifically a glaring Vin and looked at Robert. "Are you done purposely causing problems? Do you really want your friends back? Are you really sorry about everything?"

He nodded through it all.

"Then you'll take your ass to my house after practice so you and Vin can talk more. I'm not saying you'll go back to being best buds right away but I think it'll help. Stop worrying that me and Vin are fighting or gonna have issues because of you. We're not fighting. We're GOING to have a discussion about certain behavior that isn't acceptable and that's it. Now get your ass back out there and do the drill"

After quick showers and changing back into regular clothes I complimented the team on their hard work during practice. Then grabbed my bag and headed for our truck. Vin got in and slammed his door.

"What the hell was all that? You didn't have to call me out in front of the team." He growled. I started his truck and pulled out of the parking lot.

"Robert is coming by in a few minutes so me and you are gonna talk this through fairly fast. Last time I checked I was captain. Which means I only need to deal with coach being on my ass if I screw up. Secondly you knew I was going to the library to pick up books and I wasn't f*ckin late since the entire team was still in the locker rooms. But YOU said I was. So rationally that would make all of you late also. SO technically what I said was true and the team deserved to know that the order came from you. BUT the main issue here is your bullshit display of jealousy or whatever that crap is. So you WILL sit down and try to work things out with YOUR old friend and then we'll discuss the rest."

He shook his head. "No we'll do it now. I don't trust him! He pulled too much crap and made you miserable before he got sent off and now he's back with bullshit apologizes and already causing us problems. Don't you see what he's doing? How can you be that blind and forgive him so quickly. He's probably lying and trying to use your sympathy to get closer to you. And f*ck if it isn't working! You were all hugged up on him for f*cks sake!"

I heaved a big sigh and twined my fingers with his. "Vin you're making too much of this. I wasn't hugged up on him and he's not gonna try and come between us. I love you so much and nothing could every come between us. You know you have nothing to worry about right?"

He nodded his head but glared out the window. "Fine I'll give him a chance but just so you know, It's a tiny one and I'm only doing it cause I know how your bleeding heart is. But if he screws up I wont think twice about breaking his face! No warnings, no cool offs just a good southern beat down and I wont be nearly as lenient as you were with him."

I grinned and nodded. "You got it babe. Ahhhh I love how whipped I have you!" I teased and giggled at the light blush that flared on his cheeks.

"You know what they say, 'A happy wife means a happy life!' I like having a happy life" He quipped and shrugged.

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not even gonna get into that right now. Now put your happy face on and go make up with your buddy."