Author's Note: Yes, I am aware that I suck. There's no excuse and I'm so so sorry! It's just that between grad school and my new internship and a bunch of other craziness I have had no time or energy to update. But I'm really hoping I'll be on a more regular schedule now. Hopefully the fact that this chapter is a little longer will make up for it? Please review, it will make my week…and give me encouragement to update faster!

P.S. I almost never put language warnings in my stories even though I have characters cuss a lot, but I'm adding one for this chapter because some of the language briefly used here can be offensive.

As their first year of high school continued on, things were running much more smoothly. The members of the varsity team still didn't like them, but they were civil, so there weren't too many more problems.

Coach Orion didn't want them to lose their edge, so even after the season was over, they continued to have regular practices. This kept Adam focused but left him exhausted. The nights he could get over to Jesse's he would just collapse on the bed and they would sleep peacefully until the next morning.

It was about two weeks after the season had ended that Charlie was greeted by an unexpected visitor.

Charlie had been spending most of those two weeks with Linda, both of them getting to really know each other, so he hadn't seen too much of his friends. The team was coming back to the dorms when he locked eyes with his best friend.

As soon as he saw the look on Jesse's face, Adam knew why he was there. He quickly tried to intercept his boyfriend.

"Jesse, hey, it's fine. Everything's worked out. We're good." He was gently pushing Jesse back…just in case.

Charlie stepped up, though, never breaking eye contact with Jesse. "It's alright, Adam. We've been needing to have this talk."

Jesse nodded and everyone watched the two leave to find a private place to talk. All the non-Minnesota Ducks, who were still in the dark about Jesse and Adam's relationship, looked to the Edina native in confusion, but he said nothing, making his way to his dorm room.

Jesse and Charlie found a secluded bench outside and took a seat.

"You knew we'd talk eventually, right?" Jesse asked with a smirk.

Charlie chuckled. "Yeah, I was just biding my time until you attacked."

They both laughed before getting back to the subject at hand.

"What the hell, Charlie? Adam told me everything. Everything. At first I couldn't believe it. It just didn't sound like you at all."

Charlie nodded. He knew he had practically been a completely different person this year.

"I guess it all started with Bombay leaving. So many things were changing way too fast. And then when Adam went to varsity, it was just one more thing…someone else leaving," he finished quietly.

"You know," Jesse started gently, "I used to always think you were too trusting…and then it was like you didn't trust anyone at all."

Charlie knew Jesse was exactly right. When they were little, Charlie would cling to every new person that came into his life. Each time his mom got a new boyfriend, he would assume they would stay forever. Jesse used to tell him it wasn't a good idea. He hated seeing his best friend so crushed every time someone left. That was why he was protective of Charlie. When Adam first came to the Ducks, he made sure to put the brakes on Charlie's welcoming nature. He didn't want to see this outsider who had tormented them hurt his friend.

"But Charlie, it's okay to trust people. Not everyone is going to abandon you. After all, I've put up with you all these years."

They both laughed as Charlie punched him in the shoulder.

"Change isn't always a bad thing, man. That's how we grow. I know not everyone you will meet will be trustworthy, but the ones that really matter will always stay."

Charlie tried with all his might not to cry. He really did. But he couldn't help his eyes getting wet. He blinked quickly to try to keep the tears at bay.

"Thanks, man. You're...you're right. I know you're right. I guess I just needed someone to remind me of the obvious."

Jesse smiled, relieved they were back to the way they had always been. "Hey, that's what I'm here for, man."

They walked back to the dorms, Charlie popping his head into Adam's room as Jesse entered before heading to his own room.

"Still in one piece, Banks," he smiled.

Adam chuckled. "See? I told you."

As the door closed, Adam curled up against his boyfriend's chest. "Everything go okay?"

"Yup. Everything's good now."

Adam smiled. "You're amazing."

Before Jesse could ask what he meant by that, he saw that the other boy was fast asleep.

The school year was coming to a close and everyone was preparing, anxious for summer vacation to start but also looking forward to what the next year would be like.

One day, Terry finally decided it was time to talk to his brother about what had been brewing in his head for a long while.

"Hey, Jess, can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Sure, bro," Jesse responded, surprised and a bit confused. They both took a seat on the couch, Terry taking a deep breath before starting.

"Listen, I know you didn't take that scholarship to Eden Hall because of me. I know you feel like it's your job to look after me. But Jesse, I'm old enough to take care of myself now. I know how much you miss going to school with Adam. I see it every day. And…though I hate to admit it…" he paused here with a smirk. "I know how much better at hockey you are than me. Hell, how much better you are than most of the Ducks. You could really have a future in it. And the best way for you to get noticed would be if you went to Eden Hall. Scouts don't exactly flock to our school and you know it."

Jesse looked down. He knew his brother was right.

"So you should talk to Coach Bombay. See if it's not too late for you to take the scholarship. They let Portman take it after the year had started so you should be able to. You should do this, bro. Really. For you."

Jesse sighed. He was torn. He knew Eden Hall was a great opportunity, but he also still felt that need to look after his brother. And what about the others? Peter and Tommy and Karp?

Then his own words to Charlie came back to him. The ones that really matter would always be there. Even if he went to a different school.

He looked at his brother.

"I'll make you a deal. I'll talk to Coach and if it turns out I can, I'll transfer junior year. That way I'll have two years here and two years there. How about that?"

Terry let out an exasperated breath. He should have known his brother would be stubborn.

"Deal."

The second year of high school began for everyone with no major problems. Jesse had talked to Bombay who said he would look into the possibility of him being able to transfer the following year. Adam and Jesse fell back into their old routine until one fateful day.

They were about halfway through practice, Coach Orion having them scrimmage when a loud bang was heard.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked up to see Philip Banks bounding quickly to the edge of the rink.

"Adam Banks!" he hollered. "You come over here this instant!"

Shocked and terrified, Adam quickly skated over, Coach Orion resuming practice so everyone wasn't staring at the two Bankses to the side.

As soon as he saw the look in his father's eyes, Adam knew it wasn't good.

"Ye-yes, Dad?"

"How could you?" the livid man asked.

"How could I what?"

"Don't play dumb with me! I know. I know all about you and that…that Hall kid! Tell me I'm wrong! I want you to look me in the eye right now and tell me I'm wrong!"

It was as if at that moment Adam could feel Jesse and James on either side of him, giving the courage and strength he needed to do what he had never been able to do before. Stand up to his father.

"I can't do that. We're together. We've been dating since we were in sixth grade. I love him, Dad."

Philip Banks' hand moved so fast Adam didn't even register the slap to his face until he felt the pain of whiplash in his neck.

Having seen it all unfold, Orion quickly skated over to the two.

"Hey! I will not tolerate you hitting one of my players. You need to leave. Now."

Still, Philip fought, actually trying to climb over the barricade as Orion held him back.

"I can't believe you! You make me sick. I never thought you would end up a fag with that piece of trash nigger."

At the same time Orion cut him off with a stiff "Hey! Out!" Adam leapt towards his father, but Charlie and Guy held him back.

"Don't you dare talk about him like that! He's a better person than you'll ever be, you heartless asshole!"

"You're dead to me, do you understand?" the older man yelled back. "Dead to me. I don't ever want to see you set foot in my house again."

Orion finally climbed over the barricade himself and escorted the older Banks out.

Everyone else stood there in silence.

Adam was breathing hard, still livid because of what his father had said. He couldn't believe those words had come out of his mouth…about someone Adam loved so much.

Charlie and Guy walked him over to the bleachers as Orion made his way back. He saw the two boys situating Banks and nodded, calling for everyone else to continue.

He walked over and brought himself to Adam's level.

"I'm so sorry, Adam. I'm so sorry."

Adam merely nodded. The adrenaline was beginning wear off. He looked at Charlie desperately.

"What am I gonna do? I don't have anywhere to live. I don't have any of my stuff. Where am I gonna live?!"

"I'll be right back," Charlie murmured quickly before dashing out to the nearest payphone.

As soon as he heard the familiar voice pick up, he sighed with relief.

"Jesse? You need to get down here. Adam needs you. Now."

TBC