Just Good Friends?

Chapter 19 - Football or Boxing match?

Joe

"Jackson! Stick with Harry! They're gunning for him!" Joe looks around the field at his team, determination on every bit of his face.

"This is a f*****g s**t show Cap! I've got Harry's back, what about you and Mike? You're in their sight too!" Jackson is a big guy, not like me and Mike, and he's not as fast, but I trust him to do his best for Harry. Harry can handle himself, but he's getting a f*****g pasting out here tonight. They're coming at him from all angles, 4 on 1 most of the time.

"We've got it covered mate. We'll think again at half time. Go!" I jog back to Mike, he's had a few digs himself but he's still looking strong... and really f*****g angry, s**t.

"Mike, pull your head back. Don't lose control, it's what they want. They're struggling to hold it together, so they're playing dirty. Let's do this" I slap his back, and we let rip.

....

Bex

"What the f**k is happening out there!?" One of the basketball guys shouts.

"Harry's getting a f*****g hiding by the looks of it. He's still holding his own though. How long till half time?" Another one says.

"2 mins. They're good though, 27 - 12, they've got this in the bag" shouts go out everywhere around the stand, Harry scored.

"Shove that up your ass you f*****g tryers!" The first guy shouts. "He f*****g showed them, thinking they can throw him around the field"

Half time and the guys all walk off the field. Joe and Mike look up to me, and I send them the most positive smile I can. They are playing hard out there, but i know they have more to give. Poor Harry looks like he's been in a m******e, blood streaming down his face. I won't be surprised if Coach brings him off second half.

....

Joe

"No Coach, keep me on. I'm good, honestly. The guys have my back out there, I want to smash it to those fuckers!" Harry's getting the worst of his cuts glued by our medic. Now that he's been cleaned up a bit, it's not as bad as I thought, still pretty f*****g bad though. He looks at me for back up. "What do you reckon Cap, am I good to go out there" He's pleading with me with his eyes. I know I'd be pissed being pulled off in his situation. He's still looking strong out there, and he's managing to keep them at bay. I nod my head.

"I agree Coach, Harry's got this. We'll look out for him, and if there's anything, then we can pull him off" Coach nods and sends us back out.

"Right then guys, we do this, and we do this properly. No f*****g s**t given ok!"

There's a shout of agreements and we run back out looking stronger than ever.

....

I throw the ball to Mike and he makes a run. I wasn't fast enough though, and 3 of Trayton guys catch up with him and he's pounded to the ground. I see one of them get an elbow in to his face under the shield, and I see red. I run full speed towards them, at the same time as Harry from the other direction. Punches are flying around, and the next thing we're all separated. We get a warning and play carries on. That seems to be the run of the game. They play dirty, we retaliate, warnings given. By the end of the game, Harry's busted up pretty bad, but as usual, he's making a joke out of it. Nate has a few cuts and bruises, a pretty nasty one on his forehead, a black eye, and a shoulder injury that the medic is checking out now. And me and Mike are sporting black eyes. But we won. We wiped the f*****g floor with them. Final score was 83-12. I can see Bex looking down with pride. I'm sure she was pretty worried watching all that, but she's not the type of girl to be all weepy and over the top. She's proud of us.

"You both ok?" I hear Mike asking Harry and Nate. They both came off the worse, Harry because of the trouble last year, and Nate because, as chilled as he is, he's a f*****g mentalist on the field, one i wouldn't want to be up against that's for sure. He backed us up all the way. I suspect one of the Trayton guys said something to him, as I saw his face change to thunder before he slammed the guy pretty hard. I'll have to have a word later to see what was said.

"Shoulder hurts like a b***h, but apart from that, I'm still ready to kill the fuckers" Nate has a huge grin on his face, I laugh out loud.

"You're a f*****g nut job really aren't you Nate? I thought you were quite chilled and quiet, then i saw you out there. Thanks, you saved me a few times dude" Mike bumps fists with him and im happy that he's not going to confront him about the whole Bex thing.

"It's always the quiet ones Mike. Nate here is a f*****g machine when he's riled" I laugh. "Where the f**k were you Cal?" I look over at Cal, and see him cleaning up some cuts on his face, and a few bruises appearing. He must of been fighting with us, but I didn't see him.

"I'm so f*****g fast mate, nobody sees me coming" he winks.

"You f*****g d**k" I laugh.

"Harry, Nate, there's a college rep wants a word with you before you head in to the lockerroom" coach calls over to us.

"Get going guys, maybe tonight you finally commit" Mike slaps their backs as they walk off. Considering what they've been through tonight, they both look strong enough to go again, heads held high, winking at the girls in the stands as they come off the benches. A huge cheer goes up around the crowd as they walk through the tunnel. They both throw their arms in the air, lapping up the attention, and Harry does a little kick with his feet. He's f*****g mental, just had the crap beat out of him and he's f*****g dancing!

"ASC for you isn't it Cal"? I ask him. He's a f*****g good football player, but it's not what he wants long term.

"Yeah dude, course is perfect for me, and I can see you all every day for my daily dose of fuckwits!" He grins at us. I laugh and walk towards the lockerroom. f**k I'm gonna hurt tomorrow.

....

"What the hell was that out there tonight?" Bex says when we catch up with her by the car.

"You knew it wasn't going to be pretty. You ok? Not seen anyone" I kiss her cheek as I reach her, and look around to check none of the Trayton guys are near.

"No, they all left on the bus 10minutes ago. Their coach was chewing their asses about the game" she laughs. She pushes Mike in to the car and gets in to the drivers seat. We head home, as that's where the party's going to be tonight.

....

"So what the f**k did that d**k say to you to get you so f*****g angry dude"? I finally get Nate on his own, and we're sitting by the firepit in the back garden.

"Ah nothing for you to worry about dude. I got it covered" he takes a swig of his beer and I stare at him.

"Don't f**k me off Nate. It was about Bex wasn't it?" It's the only thing I can think of that would get him seeing red on the field. Nate always has his head so full in the game, it takes an hour or so after its finished for him to come around. Tonight was a different story all together. He was knocking back the beers, but not getting drunk, he was too wired.

"Yeah. The fucker said some s**t about her body, and what he'd like to do to her and stuff. I didn't like it. She's not his to talk about like that, shes Mike's" a look comes over his face, but he covers it quickly. If I didn't know him so well, I wouldn't have noticed. His feelings for Bex haven't eased off at all, but he's still helping Mike and keeping him from losing his s**t too.

"OK dude. Thanks... you know, for sticking up for her and s**t. I know it's hard for you to see her with Mike. I really appreciate everything you do for me dude. You're my best mate, never forget that ok" I hold my fist up to him, and he bumps it with his.

"I know man. He's good for her, and he'll never hurt her. It could never have been me, but I still... never mind. Wheres the hot chick's then? Let's go find some, or is Harry hogging the lot of them" he says with a laugh and stands up. I know that conversation is over, so I walk with him to find a bedmate for the night. I knew it would be about Bex when I saw the look come over his face. I need to warn Mike about the Trayton lot. They seem to be focusing on us.

"And dude, congrats on UoA" I fling my arm over his shoulder and we walk in to the house.

......

Nate

"Bex, you want another one" Bex is leaning against the counter in the kitchen.

"Yeah, cheers Nate" I pass her a bottle from the fridge and motion with my head to get out of here. It's loud and crowded in the kitchen, and my heads not in it. I tried flirting with some girls earlier, but it was mainly to get Joe to shut the f**k up.

We head outside, and sit down on the comfortable patio furniture, overlooking the cliff out to sea.

"You OK Nate? It was a bit ropey out there tonight. You never say much, it's hard to know what's going on" please don't be nice to me Bex, I can't deal with that.

"Yeah, I'm good. Everything will heal, they came off worse" I try to make a joke, but she doesn't go for it.

"I know they did. You really let lose. What happened? What did they say? I saw your face change, I know Joe did too, but I don't think anyone else noticed" she knows me almost as much as Joe does. But not quite.

"Don't fret about it Bex, he just said some s**t I didn't like, I showed him I didn't like it and that was that" I drape my arm over her shoulder, just as I've done many times over the years. I can see a group of girls glaring at her because I've done that, so I scowl at them and they turn away quickly. We are a popular group, but we're also known for fighting, and people are wary of us. It really helps sometimes when you're not in the mood to talk, you just scowl and they back off.

"OK, I'll leave it, but talk to Joe if there's anything to know about Yeah. So, UoA. It's so f*****g awesome that we're all going! Cal won't be far either, maybe we should try and find a house somewhere in between for us to share" She leans her head on me, and we sit chatting and laughing for a while before Joe turns up.

"What's happening people!" He jumps down on to a chair next to us. It's the quietest place in the party where we are, so Joe has come to chill probably.

"Not much mate, just chilling, enjoying some peace. Not really feeling it tonight" I say. Bex is still leaning in to me, and she has her legs up on a stool to the side.

"Yeah, I'm hearing you buddy. Bex, Mike had to go and let his Mum in to the house as she forgot her keys. He'll be back in a bit" Joe isn't bothered about the way we are sitting together, we've always done it. I was a bit apprehensive when we were like it infront of Mike the first time last night, but he didn't seem to mind, so I'm not bothered now. I'd never do anything, I'd never even admit to my feelings for Bex, so there's no threat. We are just good friends, not as close as her and Mike were before they got together. Harry is heading over to us, and he's not looking too good. I think the game has finally caught up with him.

"You alright mate, come and sit down" Bex pushes me over so Harry can sit on the end next to her.

"Ah not doing too great now guys. Think the numbness is easing, and I'm starting to hurt like virgin b***h" he winces as he moves to grab his beer.

"Finish that up, then you're gonna hit the sack ok. You can sleep in my room, Joe had his guy over today to put a lock on, so nobody will bother you. I'll just crash on the sofa in there later" he took a hell of a hammering in the game, but he still walked off the field having scored a few for us. He was a f*****g hero tonight.

"Nice one dude. Im ready to head up I think" he stumbles a bit as he stands, and Bex grabs hold of his arm and puts it over her shoulder. I grab the other one and do the same.

"I'm going to give everyone a heads up that the party's coming to an end guys. I think we're all ready for some quiet time now yeah" Joe heads off to spread the word, and I know, within half hour. There'll be nobody here but us lot. They will all probably head to another party anyway so no biggie.

We weave Harry through the crowd, and up the stairs. We don't need to tell people to move, they just do. I punch in the combination, and we get him on to the bed. Bex gives him some strong painkillers that are kept locked in the bathroom, and hands over a glass of water. As soon as he's taken them, he lies his head down. Within minutes he's sleeping soundly.

"You'll watch him tonight right?" Bex looks worriedly at Harry.

"Of course. He's a good guy Bex, it's me, him and Joe now, I won't let anything else happen to him" and I won't. Those fuckers from Trayton will pay for this. Harry made a mistake a long time ago, he didn't mean to, he was in a bad place at the time.

We leave him sleeping, and make sure the door locks behind us, and head back downstairs. As we reach the bottom, Mike comes in through the front door.

"What's this then, sneaking off while I'm otherwise engaged eh?" He smiles and pulls Bex in for a kiss. I know he's only joking, he knows I'd never do anything. He doesn't know about my feelings for Bex, at least I don't think he does!

"Caught in the act mate" I wink. "We just put Harry up in my room, he was in a lot of pain, it all caught up with him in the end. I didn't want him passing out down here infront of everyone, he's been through enough. I'll crash on the sofa in there later" I say as we head back to the patio seats.

"Hmm, I thought he might not last long tonight. He didn't drink much, only a couple of bottles, I was keeping an eye on him. Is Joe shutting things down"? Mike sits on the single chair, I guess he senses that I need a friend right now, and Bex is that friend. It's been a really f*****g long day, and I really do just need Bex's friendship, nothing more.

"Yeah, half have gone already. It will just be us soon. I heard someone mention a party over in Caxton" she says as she sits back with me as we were before.

Mike leans back in his chair and closes his eyes.

"It's been a really f*****g long f****d up day hasn't it" it's a statement rather than a question.

"You're right there mate, I was just thinking exactly the same." I look around and notice that we're alone. Joe must be making sure the house is empty apart from our group.

"You doing OK? How's the shoulder?" Mike asks, he still has his eyes closed.

"It's fine, bit sore but nothing that won't fix" the reps from UoA weren't concerned about my shoulder earlier, or Harry's injuries. They were really impressed with our plays tonight, and offered us places. Of course, we commited there and then. We told Joe and Bex earlier when we were sitting around the fire. They were really stoked for us. Cal won't be far either, so it'll be like it's always been.

Mike sits up suddenly, and looks over.

"Hey, what happened with the reps earlier? I cant believe I never asked, its been so full on with injuries and s**t, it went out of my head. Sorry man" and he does look sorry. I forgot how much of a nice guy Mike was. We were always mates, but never really close. He was Bex's mate, I was Joe's, and then we all hung out together in a group.

Bex looks at me and says "you haven't said anything yet"?

"Me and Harry both committed to UoA" I'm so f*****g tired and achey, that I don't even sound happy, but I am, I really am.

"f**k! That's freaking awesome dude! Oh man, I can't believe we'll all be together! Oh apart from Cal, but he won't be far will he. s**t!" I don't think I've ever seen Mike as bouncy as Joe, but there he is, bouncing around just like him. I have to laugh, and so does Bex. "Why the f**k didn't you say anything!"

"Too much going on dude. As you said, injuries and s**t. But yeah, it is freaking awesome!"

"Thats it, empty house" Joe walks around to the patio, followed by Cal, Jess, Ems and Anna. "Dude, sit down. Leave the hyped up jackass s**t to me and Harry. What the f**k is wrong with you anyway?" He asks Mike. But before he can say anything, Anna comes over.

"I just went and checked on Harry, Joe said he was in your room Nate, and gave me the combo. Hope that's OK? He's fine anyway, I've left him more water for when he wakes" Anna sits on a beanbag infront of me.

"Yeah, no problem Anna. You can use the combo any time you like" I wink at her. I like Anna, she's a really nice girl, and I could possibly fall for her. But I need to get over Bex first.

She blushes, s**t. I did the wrong thing flirting, I hope I haven't lead her on.

"So anyway, what's got you bouncing around?" Joe turns his attention back to Mike, but I answer instead.

"He knows about UoA" I think Harry might have told Cal, but I look at him anyway to check. He's beaming from ear to ear, so I'm guessing he's cool with it.

"Ah, now I get it. So, the only ones left to decide, is Ems, Anna and Jess then, eh girls. Get a move on!" He laughs, but I see the tension in him. He's still pissed over Ems reaction to UoA.

"Right guys, I'm heading up to bed. I'll check on Harry on my way." Bex gives me a hug before she stands up, and I hug her back. "I'm so happy you're coming to UoA with us" she kisses me on the cheek and does the same to Joe and Cal, then kisses Mike on the lips. "G'night guys" and she's gone.