CHAPTER THREE: THE BEST

All employees have an innate desire to contribute to something bigger than themselves.
-Jag Randhawa

Finally it was time for the announcement of the winners of different awards, so Coach catches everyone's attention by raising his glass of beer- -that he pours into a champagne glass that he gives out to appear fancy when all of us know he's not- -and tapping it against a microphone.

Beside Coach Hakoda is his wife, and she's holding all the award papers and three medals, two trophies and and a single miniature golden football on a stand.

"Only last week was a list shared through our gym office ranking our college's 'Ten Most Homophobic Football Players' and the perpetrator would have been expelled had it not turned out to be true." Coach Hakota slyly gives me a look making Bar and Atlas give out a small laugh. 

I just smirk and shrug, raising Fly's glass since I don't drink. "I'll cheer to that."

Law Riddle clinks his glass with mine and I hand it back to the idiot, so they can drink in sync. 

Fly's standing next to me now, between me and Atlas so he can be the first to go step up for me 'just in case' Adonis or Atlas decides it's their year to do so. Adonis did it junior year, Fly did it for me at the first half of senior year and Circe did it for me for the second.

"And this year, after watching our 57 to 18 match that Flynn Jacus and Alpha Rex played all four quarters in, leading us to victory along with all you other prick," For guests that might not seem affectionate, but I know Coach, and it is. "The National Collegiate Athletic Association of Football gave me the Coach of the Year award."

Our team cheers, and I nod respectfully. I don't want to start clapping, because it's something that could definitely trigger a long range of tics I'd rather avoid.

"Our college-level Heisman trophy goes to Flynn Jacus! For being the most supportive player on the field, the same time he keeps you hot-heads in line!" Scarlette cheers louder for her boyfriend than I've ever heard her in the past -and I've seen them have very heated discussions about useless things since we were seventeen, so that says something.

When she quiets down, I lock eyes with Fly and grab his wrist, nodding. He grins down at me, ruffling my hair in appreciation as his blue eyes that are burning with excitement tell me, thank you.

Continuing, Coach's wife Ama continues. "And two days ago we finally got down the awards, ignoring the student drama. Here's the winners, but if I call your name, remember to get them when I'm done, or I'll rip 'em up."

Our team hoots and hollers, saying things like "I better get the best one!" and "gimme that trophy!" in order to rile up the crowd and root on our Coach, but if the crinkle in the middle of Fly's eyebrows tells me anything, it's that he doesn't like our team anymore than he liked our team in senior year.

And that says a lot, because we had a lot of homophobic guys, and guys like... like Clark, who would hurt a lot of people, not just me.

Fuck. 

I shouldn't be thinking about that right now.

"Most valuable player award goes to... Alpha Rex!" Jasper's hand squeezes my thigh, and I lean into him more. Bar shoots me a proud look that reminds me so much of my own dad that I miss him even more. "Best offensive player of the year goes to Flynn Jacus!"

Best defensive player of the year goes to Ian Davis who's one of the biggest transphobes I've ever met.

The biggest comeback player of the year goes to Niko, since he fractured his wrist a month before the start of the season, and he also won the sportsmanship award but that's probably because he was our water-boy more than any niceties.

Biggest rookie of the year award goes to Hayes, and I think that's hilarious because he's been playing football as long as he can walk. He doesn't look happy about that either, but it makes Fly burst into laughter so that's okay with me.

Fly wins the most points scored and of course, he also wins the best quarterback award.

But the second place goes to Jake Montgomery who once beat some freshman's face in for checking out another guy in front of him. He's homophobic, obviously, and me and him have exchanged quite a few vile looks.

I'm given the best running-back and best kick award.

A boy named Colton is given the best tackle, a boy named Ryan is given the best footwork. One name Karim is given the most points lost. 

Another named Lee is given the most benched player award, along with the one for the player with the most fouls, and trust me, he fully deserves them both. Keeping him in line and on track has been one of the biggest problems for me and Fly as co-captains.

And a boy named Vance is given the player with the most fumbles award, and I personally know it's only because his hands sweat when he's nervous and he refuses to wear gloves.

This shits on our team as much as it does recognize our accomplishments, and I love watching homophobic pieces of shit have to bite the dust as they're faced with the consequences of their own actions.

"And now," He holds up the three medals. "These are going to the best players the team has. Alpha Rex. Colton LeRoy-" Who plays nearly every position interchangeably, so he isn't phenomenal at everything but in a rush he's a life saver. "-and Flynn Jacus!"

On either side of me, Fly and Jasper excitedly shake both my shoulder and my leg and it's enough to temporarily give me whiplash. 

It feels like I'm sitting next to my little brother, Triton, when watching his favorite show. He shakes things when he's excited, and it's adorable, albeit annoying.

"And as for these trophies, they go to the players that won the most awards and accomplished the most for the team. I'm giving these out with great honor, as I've had one hell of an amazing year being able to coach these two boys. I've always said they could make it to the big leagues, and the scores this season have proved it!"

Kicking Fly's calf makes him look down to me, so I say, "I've never seen Coach so excited."

"Yeah," He agrees, turning back to Coach Hakoda. "Me either. Think there's more going on?"

The look I send him tells him I do, and he gives one back to me with a crude hand gesture suggesting that his wife might be pregnant and it's there I flip him off to end the conversation.

Idiot.

"Everyone give a round of applause for Alpha and Fly!" Coach Hakoda says, and the room explodes into nose from our team's family, a few of the boys and our table especially. The homophobes stay almost silent. 

Funny, I didn't think they were mute.

Our coach chuckles into the microphone, "I know it's probably not surprising to, well, anyone, let's be honest. You take one look at our team, you know who the stars are. And you know who's the lackers too, Hayes, Ian."

Behind Niko's chair, Hayes goes a bright red that gives his ginger hair a run for it's money. I smirk, and beside me Fly snickers.

Stealing a glance at Jasper, I find him already looking at me and my heart picks up speed at the look he's giving me. It's pure satisfaction and love; he's proud.

My hard look trades out for a smile, and I glance at his lips and lean forward, waiting for him to lean into me as well before I kiss him. It's small, and gentle, but it's enough.

"And this award was made specifically for someone who is one of the most amazing and inspirations people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing and watch grow up. It is for the boy who I've known for years and saw overcome hardship, over hardship-" 

Coach Hakoda was mine and Fly's coach before, from seventh to sophomore year, when he became an instructor for our Hockey team. So it's easy to know who he's talking about, me, Fly, Niko, Ian, Hayes or Vance -the boys who went to high school with us. 

"-he made a name out of himself, and I'll bet my own career that he'll only continue to be successful. This is a boy who is one of the hardest working, wordlessly strong, kind, and upbeat kid ever. I'm not kidding when I tell you, this is someone who's going to change the world." 

Our coach raises up the golden football and holds it out in our direction, but instead of waiting in anticipation, I only stare at Fly -I want to see his reaction when it finally clinks.

Because I know exactly who fits that description, and it's him.

"You're gonna do great things kid, and you're gonna go big places for sure. I couldn't be more proud of you, Flynn, come get this trophy."

My best friend makes a choking sound, hands flying up to his tie in muted panic and surprise. He just stares, tears wielding in his eyes as he realizes. His eyes flick down to me, a hand running through blond hair anxiously as if checking with me this is happening, right, it's real?

Nodding, I kick him lightly in the back of the knee, urging him forward.

Fly stumbles at first before taking off to the stage, running up the steps and enveloping Coach Hakoda in one of the biggest hugs he has to offer -and I wouldn't be surprised if there were tear stains on our coach's shirt when he pulls away.

He's an emotional guy, and he either handles that by punching his problems or crying at them, and right now, I doubt it's even a minor doubt in his head to punch one of the biggest and most supportive father figures he's ever had.

Next, I also wouldn't be surprised if he forgets to grab everything and run right back here just as haphazardly and hug Law and Eli too.

Feeling his fingers move along my thigh, I turn back to Jasper and realize the dopey kind of soft smile I have for my best friend. 

Overly distracted and happy by this, it takes me a moment to process that I'm going red- -I seem to be doing that a lot today- -but when I do, I quickly get it under control but not without saying "Bit hot innit?" in a British accent.

"I'm proud of you... and of Fly," Jasper admits, but doesn't quite look like he wants too. With a sigh, and his face nuzzling in to the corner of my neck, my boyfriend squeezes me gently. "You both are very impressive people. And I think, maybe, I should know more about Fly."

"You have to ask him about himself, Jitterbug, not me, but I'm sure that idiot will more than willingly tell you a lot. He's open like that, when he knows you." Saying this, I peck at his cheek before turning my attention to the doofus himself who seems to think it's appropriate to jump off the stage and consequently run into Vance.

He doesn't even apologize, just rushes over here. At least I was wrong about something -he did grab our awards and medals.

"What an idiot." Scar mutters, watching her boyfriend rip through the crowd like a tornado.

Turning to her, I smirk. "He's your idiot."

"Hey," She says, affronted. "We share that idiot."

"Since when?" Replying back in the same tone, I'm sure I'd get an equally as snarky reply but Fly barging into Scar's side to reach her dads cuts her off.

Blandly, she turns up to me with amusement hidden in her brown eyes. "Forget sharing, you can have him."

"Nah, he likes your parents too much." I explain sardonically. "They can have him, we'll see him on the weekends and at Christmas."

"Hey, hey, hey!" Turning to us with a fake pout while poorly attempting to hold back a smile, Fly drops his hold on Elijah Riddle and turns to us clumsily in the small space he has between Scarlette and her dad. "I can hear you guys, you know."

"That's okay," Scar waves him off. "It's best for the kid to be involved and know that the family is breaking up anyway."

"Little Red!" He scolds her, and they once again start bickering.

Having my fill of... that for the day, having had enough of it to last me my entire life in senior year alone anyway, I fully turn my attention to my boyfriend, not having to watch Fly for any messages anymore.

I raise an eyebrow, tilting my head down slightly as my smirk stays intact. "Jitterbug?"

"Y-yeah?" Instantly nervous, watching me as his hand almost nervously starts to tap against my inner thigh, Jasper leans into me again.

"Thank you for being here for me, and for bringing your family." Pausing, I growl before grabbing onto his spare hand and kissing his palm. "I love you."

"I love you too!" The smile he gives me is breathtaking and the light half-chuckle, half-giggle makes the urge to kiss him only grow.

This was a messy day, but it was a good one. And honestly? 

I still can't fucking wait to get out of this suit.