"Radiate" – part 4

Summary and notes in part 1.

Disclaimer: Do NOT own Degrassi!

-oOo-

He was dreading basketball practice. For once he was happy to change in a separate area, instead of with the rest of the guys in the locker room. He took his time putting his sports bra on and changing into his jersey. Once he was dressed Adam lingered a little.

By the time he got to the court the rest of the team was already shooting free throws.

"Torres, next time get here on time!" the coach told him. He nodded and ran to the line. As he did he could feel K.C.'s eyes on him.

Practice was progressing better than he thought it would, when coach had them split into groups so they could take turns guarding and stealing the ball. He was paired with Jason Tucker, a tall senior. He had made quite a few remarks about Adam last year. This year they started off rocky, but they had gained a grudging respect for one another.

"Hey Torres, catch me if you can," he smirked. He quickly switched hands as he dribbled the ball. Adam gave him a look. He stayed close to the taller boy for a few moments before making his move. As Tucker went to fake right, Adam grabbed the ball.

"How do ya like me now?" Adam teased. Tucker smiled.

"Well, it was worth a shot!" he laughed. The whole team knew Adam was the best at stealing the ball from opponents. That skill had turned the game around for them more than once.

"Wanna try stealing from me?" Adam smirked. They reversed positions and continued the exercise.

When they were done for the day Tucker came up to him. He clapped Adam on the shoulder, "You're the man, on and off the court."

Adam smiled. "Thanks."

"For real, I ain't mad at you for breaking off a piece to Fiona and Bianca," Tucker grinned.

Adam's smile faltered.

A passing player chimed in, "Yeah man, why choose? They're both hot!"

"Shut up!" Adam told them.

"Hey man, we're on your side," Tucker said. "If you can remember what side you're supposed to be on."

Adam shoved him. The older boy stumbled back a few steps. Tucker glared dangerously at Adam and began coming towards him when their teammates moved in between them.

"Hey! This is not happening. No fighting," K.C. said sternly.

"Thought you'd like to see him get hit. He stole your girl!" Tucker said angrily.

K.C. stared at him, hard. "Bianca isn't my girl. Everyone, practice is over. You're dismissed."

-oOo-

After practice Adam was startled to see K.C. waiting outside his door.

"Hey Adam," K.C. said. His expression was unreadable.

"Look, K.C.—"

"No, you don't have to explain. I'm not upset about Bianca," he said.

Adam looked at him surprised. "You mean that?"

K.C. nodded. "We're not together anymore for a lot of reasons. But I am unhappy about you picking fights at practice."

"Tucker was being an asshole," Adam argued.

K.C. grinned. "He usually is. Still, there's no need to resort to shoving. I won't mention it to coach, but take it in stride next time?"

Adam nodded. "Alright, captain," he smirked.

As K.C. walked away the smile slid off his face. Now that the day was over he was going to track down his ex.

-oOo-

He found her outside by the student parking lot smoking a cigarette. He grabbed her by the arm.

"You and I need to talk."

Bianca glared at him and yanked her arm free. "What the hell K.C.?"

"Fine, we'll have our discussion out here. Why the hell are you going after Adam?" he asked pointedly.

She rolled her eyes. "It's none of your concern."

"He's a good guy Bee," K.C. told her. "I know you like him, but you already admitted that you missed your chance. What happened to that?"

Bianca sighed. "Just leave it."

"No, I won't," K.C. declared. "When we broke up, we agreed to be friends. We agreed that we'd be honest with each other if we fell back into any destructive patterns. I'm telling you now this won't end well."

"Look, I'm not going to interfere in his relationship," she started. K.C. gave her a look. "Anymore that I have already," she added. "But if they don't get back together he's fair game."

K.C. looked away. "I thought after we started dating you were serious about no longer being that girl. This mess with Adam makes you look like a boyfriend-stealer again."

She turned to him. "I'm not. Believe me, I'm done with the boiler room and all that crap. I'm not going from guy to guy." He looked at her appraisingly. "You know, I like Adam."

"Yeah," K.C. conceded. "But does he know?"

.

tbc