*Coach Bolton's Point of View*

When I saw Jason's chest I knew that I was right to suspect that someone was hurting him. For awhile I had thought that someone was beating him, but since I never had proof I couldn't do anything about it.

I kept thinking about what would have happened if he wasn't friends with Troy and he didn't stay over at our house sometimes. He probably wouldn't be in as good of a condition as he is now.

Sighing I walked onto the court and saw everyone looking around for Jason. Shaking my head went over to them and waited for them to quiet down. When they finally did Troy stepped forward.

"Dad," he said trying to keep the worry from his voice, "Where's Jason?"

"Everyone I want you to go to the bleachers and sit down," I instructed calmly, "I'm going to tell you, but you have to make sure that this never leaves this room."

When everyone was sitting down I walked to them and pulled a chair from the sidelines. They were looking at me with hopeful yet concerned eyes. I was glad that Jason had friends like this, but I knew that he needed to be with Ryan for now.

"Jason came to see me during lunch," I said not wanting to waste time, "He was limping and I when I asked him what was wrong he lifted his shirt. Cuts, scars, and bruises were covering his whole chest. When I asked him who did it to him he said his father. At the moment in time he's with Ryan Evans and his family. They are taking him to the hospital and are going to let him stay with them. There is a very good chance that Jason won't be back for a few days and that he might not be on the basketball team for the rest of the year."

Hearing everyone gasp I sighed. I knew that it wasn't my place to tell them this, but I couldn't leave them in the dark when one of their team mates and friends was in so much trouble.

"How did we not see that?" Chad asked quietly, "I mean we never went to his house and when we did his dad was drunk."

"Because he was good at hiding it," I said shrugging, "He also hid the fact that he was gay."

"He's what?" Zeke said his eyes wide.

"Is there a problem with that?" I said glaring at him.

"No," he said shaking his head, "But he just doesn't have the look like Ryan does."

"He likes Ryan," I said smiling, "And Ryan likes him. That's why I didn't insist that he come with Troy and I."

"Are they dating now?" Chad asked wiggling his eyebrows.

"No," I said laughing, "But I wouldn't be surprised if they started."

Before the guys could ask anymore questions my phone went off. Looking down I saw that it was Jason's cell phone number. Motioning for everyone to be quiet I opened the phone and said hello.

"Coach Bolton?" a voice asked.

"Who is this?" I asked knowing it wasn't Jason.

"It's Ryan," he said instantly.

"Where's Jason?" I asked looking around the room.

"He's in surgery," he said his voice cracking.

"Why is he in there?" I asked concerned again.

"Because his ribs were broken and one of the punctured his lung," he said softly.

"Shit," I said not knowing what to say, "The team and I will be there soon."

"I'll tell you what else is wrong when you get here," he said hanging up the phone.

"Let's go," I said putting my phone up, "Jason is in surgery."