Riley felt that there was no reason for him to be at practice anymore. He knew he wouldn't be playing for a while, and no amount of hard work would change that. He also knew that he would have to sit and watch Armstrong run his plays with Drew. And another thing he dreaded : seeing Zane every afternoon and not having the ability to avoid him.

Riley stood next to Owen on the field as Drew ran plays with the offense.

"You're a way better QB than that little bitch." Owen huffed as he removed his helmet. He squinted through the sun and the sweat as he watched Drew throw a long ball into the endzone. "Gotta admit, kids got a good arm though."

Riley shook his head and removed his helmet as well.

"Next thing you know, he'll be replacing me on the team for good." Riley sighed as he took a seat on the bench.

Owen shook his head and turned his attention back to Riley.

"Nah, there's no way." He said before leaning in so that riley could hear his devious whisper "I'll make sure of it".

"Aw, no. No more pranks Owen alright? That's what got me into this mess in the first place." Owen smirked and put his helmet back on his head.

"Who said anything about a prank?". Riley blew out of his nose as Owen jogged towards the field to run the next play.

"You know," said an all too familiar voice. Riley's eyes widened and his back straightened up as he watched Zane sit on the opposite side of the bench. "You should still be out there." He said in that deep, sensual voice that Riley had been longing to hear. "you know, even though you're not playing? Shows coach that you're dedicated-"

"I know. I've played football all my life I know how the game works." Zane looked down at the ground and than back up at Riley In a nonchalant manner.

"Oh I know you know how the game works. But just because you know the game, it doesn't mean you know anything about people, and strategy." Riley looked straight ahead and tried to keep a stoic expression. But he couldn't help it when who he felt was the cutest guy ever had such sadness in his voice.

"You keep benching yourself Riley. You're the reason you're here and not out there. Don't make the same mistake again." Zane rose off of the bench and went to refill his water bottle. Riley gathered up as many of his teammates water bottles as he could to make it seem like he was doing his job as waterboy. He came up behind Zane and leaned into his ear.

"I don't want you to hate me."

Zane looked behind him for a moment and continued to fill his water bottle.

"I don't hate you Riley."

"Well, can we talk then."

"If you put the water bottles down." Riley squinted his eyes and looked sideways out of confusion.

"What do you mean?"

Zane turned around and took a swig out of his water bottle. Riley couldn't help but stare.

"I want you to be comfortable with being seen talking to me. No excuses. I want it to be clear that I'm why you walked over here." With hesitation, Riley dropped the water bottles on the ground. He then grabbed Zane by the sleeve of his Jersey and pulled him toward the bench.

"Zane, I'm not ready to tell the world yet."

"I know." Zane replied, still looking off into the distance as if he had no care in the world.

"But, I haven't been myself without you." Zane didn't reply so Riley continued.

"I…I like you Zane." There was still no reply. And Riley started to become discouraged. "Are you listening to me?"

"Yeah, Riley I know."

"But its like, more than that. Every time I see you I just think of how much I want you."

"We don't need to discuss your teenage urges."

"Why are you being like this? You said yourself that you're okay with the fact that it would take time for me."

"Yeah, that I'm okay with. But you know what I'm not okay with? Being ignored in the hallway, having to walk three paces behind you to class, getting made fun of for being a "fairy" and having my boyfriend just stand there and watch." Riley bowed his head in shame and tried to hold back tears. "That I didn't sign up for. It was not part of the deal."

"Oh," Riley began as Zane stood up and brushed the knee of his uniform. "Didn't know our relationship had set rules Zane."

"It did, and you broke them."