The family secret

2 - My name is JJ

He had left his family behind four years ago. When JJ went to college, the university of Denver, he and his three best friends bought a house together. It was the best discission of his live. JJ loved living far away of his family, the drama and the lies. He will always love his family though and he will always cherish the memories of growing up together, but his biggest love is basketball and he could never give it up for anything or anyone. He plays at the Denver Nuggets basketball team. As one of the star players, he could get every girl he liked. But there was only one girl he wanted, but never could have.

JJ walked to his friend Leo's room and knocked on his door. The last thing he wanted, was to be late for practice again. He knew Paul and Aaron were already waiting in the living room, but again Leo wasn’t ready yet. ‘Leo, hurry up man!’

The door opened, but not by Leo. ‘Sorry.’ Liz said. Leo's little sister walked past JJ. He could see clearly by her red eyes; she had been crying again. It’s been a month now since their mother lost her battle with cancer.

‘No, don’t be sorry Liz. It’s okay to be sad.’ JJ yelled to her, but she didn’t stop to respond. ‘You okay?’ he asked Leo. He was having a hard time too, but hadn’t cried like his sister did constantly.

‘I've been better. Ready for training?’ Leo asked, not wanting to talk about it.

‘Yeah, I am. For like ten minutes though. Everyone is waiting for you.’ JJ rolled his eyes with a smile.

They all get into Aaron’s car. JJ looks at his phone. Why didn’t she respond yet? He had sent his girl a message like he did every day, but normally she would respond right away. Did something happen to her? Should he call her? He was completely in love with her, but he knew his father would never approve it. f**k him. He wasn’t here. He was old enough to make his own discissions. Aaron parked his car. JJ stopped thinking about his girl and quickly got out of the car, before he could send her another text.

‘Couldn’t you find a closer spot?’ Paul asked Aaron, taking the bag with basketballs out the back of the car.

‘Don’t whine, grandpa.’ Joked Aaron. JJ and his friend were all the same age, all twenty-two years old. But most of the time they acted like children. Paul threw away the ball bag and was chasing Aaron now. Leo laughed. It was good to hear him laugh. JJ hadn’t seen him laugh in a while now.

‘Leo, should we prank Aaron?’ JJ asked.

‘Okay. What did you have in mind?’

‘Give me his bag.’

Aaron’s bag was still in the car. Leo tossed it to JJ. Zipping the bag open, JJ saw the water bottle and took out Aaron’s blue sport shorts. He opened the bottle and splashed some water at the place his crotch should be. Now it looked like he peed himself. JJ placed everything back and closed it before tossing it back to Leo. They were just in time.

‘Come, hurry.’ Aaron said to the group. ‘We have four minutes left.’

The coach made JJ and Leo run five more laps before hitting the shower. They couldn’t stop laughing at Aaron. It really looked like he peed himself.

‘Sorry coach, I just needed something to make Leo laugh today. His sister was crying in his room again. He already had a hard time losing his mother, now he has to deal with his sister all the time.’ JJ had waited till Leo was gone, before stepping to the coach.

‘It’s okay. Actually, next time fill me in. I want to join you guys.’ The coach was a really great man. He was always in for a joke, but had also been a great support for Leo. Leo got some time away from training, to be with his family. And even if you need him as an excuse when you have to go to family dinners you don’t want to, he doesn’t hesitate to call your parents and tell them you have extra training or a field trip.

‘Alright coach.’ JJ ran into the dressing room and found all of his team mates already in the showers waiting for him. He took off his clothes and walked to the showers with his towel. He placed his towel on the hanger with number 5 on it, his number. ‘Alright lets to this boys!’ he yelled while walking into the shower area. The group cheered and screamed. With one clap with his hands, JJ made the group silent. ‘Denver nuggets.’ JJ said.

‘Ooh, aah, ooh, aah.’ the group yelled back at him.

‘Denver nuggets.’ he said again.

The boys responded by clapping their hands hard together.

‘DENVER NUGGETS!’ JJ screamed.

‘NO CHICKEN NUGGETS!’ As everyone yelled and cheered, JJ pushed the button and the shower instantly went on. The water was warm and mad them clean. But JJ couldn't stop thinking about his girl again. The last time she visited him, she was in the shower and he joined her. Nothing happened, but he really wanted it to happen. Just like they once did before. He really wanted to touch her naked body. To kiss her. To be inside her. But never without her permission. She regretted last time and she ignored him for a while, but they talked and agreed it would never happen again. His feelings had changed though after she kissed him on New Year's Eve. He wanted her no matter the costs. JJ followed the rest of the boys out of the showers and to his locker. He dried himself with his towel, put on his clothes and stepped out of the dressing room. He hadn't spoken to anyone about it. Not even his friends. Waiting for his friends, JJ checked is phone again.

K: I can't come over. You know why.

J: Please, I need you.

With a deep sigh, he put his phone away. Why was it so hard to love someone? It never was this hard with his other girlfriends. Why was she denying what they felt for each other? He knew it was bad for them both, if his father found out. But love is love.

His phone makes a beeping sound. He got a text message:

K: How about next week?

J: You serious? Omg, you won’t regret this.

K: I really hope so, J. If they find out, we are both dead or worse.

J: I won't let that happen. Never. I love you.

K: I love you too.