Fiction/Young Adult/Football/Discrimination
What Does Sex Have To Do With It
Chapter Eleven
My mind raced as I stood there, staring at Maddox. The last person I expected to see at my door, especially with Skyler sitting in my living room. This was like a scene straight out of a teen drama.
“Uh, Maddox, hey,” I managed to stammer out. “What are you doing here?”
Maddox’s grin widened. "I heard you were grounded, thought I’d come and offer some moral support. Plus, I wanted to make sure you were okay after last night.”
I glanced over my shoulder, worried about Skyler hearing us. “Um, thanks, but you might want to know that Skyler’s here.”
Maddox’s eyebrows shot up, a flicker of surprise crossing his face before he masked it with a casual shrug. “Cool, cool. No big deal. The more, the merrier, right?”
I wasn’t so sure about that. “Maybe you should come back another time. It’s a bit, uh, complicated right now.”
Before I could say more, Dad appeared behind me. “Who’s at the door, Sam?”
His eyes landed on Maddox, and I could see his demeanor change, his protective father instincts kicking in. “Maddox, isn’t it?”
Maddox extended his hand with all his charm and confidence. “Yes, sir. Just stopped by to see how Sam’s doing.”
Dad’s gaze flickered between Maddox and me, his expression unreadable. “Well, we were just all chillin'. Skyler’s here too.”
Maddox’s reaction was a masterclass in keeping cool. “Sky’s here, cool. My mom is over at his house right now, we’re a close family. Mind if I join you?”
I was about to protest, but Dad stepped aside, gesturing for Maddox to come in. “Sure, why not? Let’s have a little gathering. Sam, why don’t you and your friends sit in the living room? I’ll bring some snacks.”
As we walked into the living room, I saw Skyler’s surprised face as he spotted Maddox. The air was thick with unspoken tension, a silent battle of egos between the two quarterbacks.
Mom, ever the peacemaker, greeted Maddox warmly. “Nice to see you, Maddox. Have a seat, everyone.”
The next few minutes were surreal. There I was, sitting between Skyler and Maddox, with my parents playing hosts as if this were the most normal situation in the world. The conversation was awkward, filled with forced politeness and subtle jabs between the two guys.
My phone buzzed again. Another message from Maddox, sent secretly under the cover of the coffee table:
‘Sorry, didn’t mean to crash. This is weird, huh?’
I quickly typed a response, my fingers trembling slightly: ‘Yeah, super weird. Thanks for coming though.’
I looked up just in time to catch Skyler giving Maddox a sharp look, as if he sensed something was going on. The tension in the room was palpable—a delicate balance that could tip at any moment.
Then, Dad, who had been quietly observing, spoke up. “So, boys, tell me about your plans for the future. Football scholarships, I presume?”
The question redirected the conversation, and for a moment, the rivalry between Skyler and Maddox took a backseat as they talked about their aspirations and the pressures of being high school athletes.
But beneath the surface, I could tell this was far from over. The dynamics in the room had shifted, and I found myself in the middle of a complicated web of relationships and rivalries.
As the conversation flowed, Skyler and Maddox gradually shifted from discussing their football aspirations to more personal topics. Dad, always keen on knowing more about my friends, directed a question at Maddox. “So, Maddox, what got you into football in the first place?”
Maddox leaned back, a thoughtful look crossing his face. “Well, sir, it’s a family thing. My dad was a quarterback too, in his day. Guess it runs in the blood.”
Skyler chimed in, “Yeah, it runs in the family. My story’s pretty similar. Dad was a QB and a coach, so I was pretty much raised on the field.”
I noticed a slight change in the atmosphere. The two were no longer just rivals; there was a mutual understanding and shared experience that connected them.
Mom, sensing the shift, added, “It’s wonderful how sports can bring people together, isn’t it? Different backgrounds, different schools, but a common passion.”
Dad nodded in agreement, and then his eyes landed on me. “And what about you, Sam? What’s your drive for football?”
I felt a little cornered, with everyone’s eyes on me. “I guess I just love the game. The adrenaline, the teamwork, the challenges. It’s more than just a sport for me; it’s a part of who I am.”
Skyler smiled at me with a warm, genuine smile. “That’s what makes you a great player, Sam.”
Maddox about choked on his soda, but he nodded. “Agreed. It’s rare to see that level of dedication.”
The conversation flowed smoothly after that, with Mom and Dad sharing stories of their youth, Skyler and Maddox talking about their favorite moments in football and even some light-hearted banter about the upcoming game between our teams. For a moment, I forgot about the underlying tensions and just enjoyed the company.
Eventually, the conversation wound down, and Mom announced it was time for dinner. “Why don’t you boys stay for dinner? We’ve got plenty.”
Skyler looked at Maddox, then back at my parents. “Um, thanks, but I should be getting home. Our coach got us scheduled for an early training session tomorrow.”
Dada smirked, knowing all too well that the players hated coming in extra early.
Maddox stood up as well. “Same here, Mrs. Stevens. Thank you for the offer, though.”
As they made their way to the door, Dad patted them both on the back. “Good to meet you, Maddox. Skyler, it’s always a pleasure. I’ll see you bright and early in the morning. You boys, take care.”
“Thanks for having us, Coach and Mrs. Stevens,” Skyler said, shaking their hands.
“Yeah, thank you. It was great,” Maddox added, offering a friendly nod.
After they left, I let out a sigh I didn’t realize I had been holding. Mom looked at me with a knowing smile on her face. “Quite the evening, huh?”
“Yeah,” I replied, still processing everything. "I didn't expect it to turn out like this.”
Dad chuckled. “You’ve got some interesting friends, Sam. But remember, your focus should be on your studies and your future., not the late-night partying. And yes, you’re still grounded.”
I nodded. “I know, Dad. I won’t forget.”
Later that night, in my room, I reflected on the evening. The way Skyler and Maddox interacted—the subtle shifts in their demeanor, the unspoken rivalry and respect—it was like watching a complex dance. And I was right in the middle of it.
My phone buzzed, breaking my train of thought. It was a text from Skyler:
‘Hope I didn’t overstep by coming over. Just wanted to make sure you were okay.’
I quickly replied:
‘No, it was nice of you. Thanks for checking in.’
Another buzz, this time from Maddox:
‘Interesting night. Still up for hanging out tomorrow?’
I smiled, typing my response:
‘Ooof. I can try. Got the whole grounding thing happening’
As I set my phone down, I realized how complicated my relationships with Skyler and Maddox were becoming. There were layers of friendship, rivalry, and something else I couldn’t quite put my finger on. But one thing was clear—my senior year was turning out to be anything but ordinary.
With that thought, I turned off my bedside lamp and settled into bed, my mind racing with possibilities of what the next day, and the rest of the year, might bring.
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