Tactics & Teamwork Chapter 36

After a nice relaxing night of sleep, Mark was once again woken up by Lyn sneaking into his room, something that actually hadn't happened in a while. But instead of ripping the covers off like usual she snuck in under them and got her face as close to his as she could.

"What happened to leaving me waiting for more?" Mark asked remembering the discussion they had the night before when he suggested he just stay at Lyn's house.

"Well, it's been 8 hours, I think that's waiting enough." Lyn joked back before leaning in for a kiss. "Besides, looking back, I may have regretted my decision last night."

"You? Never." Mark said grinning before kissing her back. "But know it's my turn to be the bore, we need to get to school and then prepare for the game. Ostia is even farther than Pherae and we know what happened last time."

"Fine, we'll have time to celebrate our victory tonight I guess." Lyn said sliding out of the bed.

"I see you're as confident as ever." Mark commented doing the same. He had gotten warm during the night so he slept in his boxers.

"And I see some pretty impressive muscles for someone who says he's not athletic." Lyn said raising her eyebrow at him. "Anyways, last year we actually played Ostia very close in both games. We lost by 3 points combined which is better than anyone else in the Lycian League could say. I mean they didn't have Hector last year, but how much could that change?"

"Good to know." Mark said as he put some deodorant on and then a shirt. "But I have a feeling Hector is quite good, so don't take him lightly." After that he started to fidget a bit. "Are you going to stay in here, I need to change these boxers."

"Aww, and I was looking forward to flashing you afterwards." Lyn teased him. Mark blushed a deep red, but Lyn did leave, not before placing another kiss on his cheek. After that he got to changing and then started to check his messages as he headed downstairs for breakfast. He had one from Sain which he was expecting and then one from Kent that was sent just a few minutes earlier. He decided to read them in order.

Sain: Dude, U were totally right! She even sent him a picture of herself in her underwear. ;) If he doesn't get lucky tonight I'll eat my headband.

Kent: Mark, I need someone to talk to that's not Sain. Something happened last night and I'd like a serious discussion about it before the game today. Don't bring Lyn.

"Good for you Kent, you deserve it." Mark said smiling lightly before closing his phone. Breakfast was then eaten and then he and Lyn walked to school together like usual. Everything was normal fare until lunch when Mark took Kent aside in the hallway so they could talk privately while they ate.

"So I have a feeling you already know what I'm about to tell you since we have a close group of friends that talk to each other, but I would appreciate it greatly if you would let me get everything out first before making any comments." Kent asked Mark. It wasn't that he thought Mark would be rude, he just wanted to express himself clearly.

"Okay, got it." Mark said agreeing respectfully. "What's up?"

"Carrie and I had sex last night." Kent answered and from Mark's lack of reaction, he knew his former statement had been true. "I wanted to talk to you about it because Sain would just congratulate me and not be serious and I don't feel comfortable talking to Lyn about it for obvious reasons."

"You know by telling me this she's going to find out anyway since I'm horrible at lying to her?" Mark asked him.

"I know, but this way is less awkward." Kent said before the two fell into an awkward silence.

"So how was it?" Mark finally asked.

"It was good." Kent said non-committaly "I mean I enjoyed it, I just don't know if I went along with it because I really wanted to or if I did it to show my sister up."

"Your sister?" Mark asked and Kent told him the story of what happened the night before.

"So what do you think?" Kent asked when he was finished.

"Well, there is not doubt the feelings about your sister influence your decision somewhat." Mark admitted. "But in the short time I've known you Kent I've learned that you don't do things you don't want to. If you didn't want to have sex you wouldn't have right?"

"Right. But I guess I'm worried that Carrie will start thinking that I only did it to get back at my sister." Kent said voicing his concern.

"Then talk to her about it." Mark said plainly. "You're going to see her later today at the game right? Just pull her aside and clear the air beforehand, that's what I would do."

"Okay, I'll try that." Kent said nodding to confirm it to himself. "Thank you Mark, I knew trusting you with this first would work out well for me."

"Hey, what are coaches for?" Mark said putting his hand on Kent's shoulder.

"You mean friends right?" Kent said catching on.

"That too." Mark said grinning "Now onto lunch. Will you trade me your brownie for my cheese puffs?" So they ate their lunch and continued on with the day until it was time to go to Ostia. Mark suggested that the whole team take the bus since Ostia was so far away and they all agreed. He also blocked off the back of the bus so Kent and Carrie could talk.

"Okay, what's up, I know Mark well enough that this is a plan of his." Carrie said about five minutes after the ride started.

"Well, I wanted to talk about last night." Kent started out slowly.

"What about it, I thought you said you enjoyed it." Carrie said back a bit confused.

"I did, I just..." He paused. "I just want to let you know that I didn't do it because of my sister. I did it because I love you and I wanted to share an intimate moment with you."

"Is that all?" Carrie replied brushing off like it was nothing. "Kent, we both had issues with your sister last night, and while that may have been a contributing factor, I was going to ask you about it no matter what. Didn't you get my hints?"

"I did, I just didn't realize you wanted to take it that far. I'll try to do better in the future." Kent said calmly.

"Hey, don't you be getting down on yourself." Carrie told him sternly. "You did nothing wrong and to be honest you're being a bit too paranoid. Just focus on the game tonight and my cheering for you okay?"

"Okay, I'll do that. Thank you Carrie, you've eased my mind a lot. I guess that's just another reason why I love you. Can I have a good luck kiss though, it might help." He was joking around, so Carrie knew he was feeling better. So she reached up and kissed him on the lips.

"Knock em dead Kent, for me and for everyone else." She whispered afterwards. Meanwhile a few seats in front of them, Mark and Lyn were of course listening in.

"They had sex didn't they?" Lyn asked from the context.

"Yeah, before us too, what's up with that?" Mark joked.

"Give it a few weeks or so, you aren't ready yet." Lyn joked back. Mark shot her a look, but she was right so he let it go. "Don't worry, I'll have you ready in time."

"I'm going to hold you to that you know."

A/n- Nothing much to say.