A/N:

Just a heads up to everyone…I have changed jobs and my schedule has changed. I will continue to update my two stories, I'm just not certain how that will look like moving forward. In a perfect world, I will update a chapter for both stories each Monday just like normal. In an imperfect world, I may only update one chapter to one story instead of both stories. I just don't know yet. My new schedule will dictate what I am able to do. I will try to keep things normal. I don't know how things will work out yet. Thanks for your understanding and patience.

Again, leave someone better than you found them.

Chapter 63

The team stayed on the court, enjoying the victory. The state trophy was passed around to anyone who wanted to have their picture taken with it. Family and friends mingled with everyone. There was no way to keep up with how many pictures were taken, and no one wanted to leave the court.

The family and friends of the Hamilton East players were sitting in the hotel's lobby, cafeteria, and conference room, waiting for the team to arrive. Everyone left the arena except for the players.

Everyone has changed except for the seniors. They didn't want to take their Hamilton East jersey off for the last time. All the other seniors have played for Hamilton East throughout high school. Jack was the only senior who played for them for just one year. There wasn't a senior who wanted to take their jersey off. They were grateful that each one was allowed to keep it. Even Charles was having trouble taking it off. When one senior finally took his off, the others quickly followed.

The excitement in the locker room never wavered. The guys were celebrating the fact that they were state basketball champions. There were countless pictures of all the seniors together and a few underclassmen. No one was too eager to speed up time.

On the way to the bus, Jack pulled out his phone to text Elizabeth.

J – Walking toward the bus

J – Be there soon

E – Were all in the lobby

E – Cant wait to see you

J – You act like you miss me Ms Thatcher

E – I do miss you

E – Arent you going to say that you miss me

J – I dont want to be made fun of

E – Jack

J – I love you

E – I love you

…

"He's on his way," Elizabeth spoke to the large circle of family and friends.

They were all sitting and standing around the lobby with all the others. Her and Jack's parents looked up when she spoke. They nodded their heads that they understood. Ted, Viola, Julie, and Tom were all sitting on a couch by the fireplace chatting.

"Hey Teddy, how is practice going?"
"Really well. I have a concert close to the end of the semester that I'm about to begin practicing for."
"Really?" Viola asked.

"Yes, we have one each semester to fulfill requirements."
"Oh, I've heard about that. I almost went to one last year at the close of spring semester."
"Which one?"
She tapped her chin for a moment. "I think it was called 'The End Moments,' maybe. I had a class that I needed to go to a performance as a requirement."
"Which one did you go to?"
"I went to a small singing event. I don't even remember who it was?"
"Just think, we could have met last year."
"What do you mean?"
"The End Moments…that was my end of semester's performance."
"Really?!" Her voice was a little higher than normal.

"Yeah…you should have gone."
"I should have." She flirted as she scooted closer to him. "Mother and father will want to know about your concert. They keep asking when and where you're going to play."
Julie eyed her older sister. She had never acted like this with another guy, but she was completely smitten with this guy. Ted and she hadn't spent much time together, but she knew he seemed like a nice guy. She thought they matched pretty well.

"So, you're staying the night?"
"We are if mother and father let me crash with them."
"If Uncle Tom and Aunt Charlette let me crash with them."
"Teddy, you're not sleeping in the same bed with me." Tom wiggled his finger.

"Come on, Tommy, you know you like sleeping with me."
"That sounds like there is a story there," Julie stated.

"Oh no…" Tom and Ted stated the same thing at the same time.

"We are not going there," Tom stated.

"So, you two good now?"
"We are," Tom stated.

"It took a while to get there, but we are doing really well," Julie added as she reached for Tom's hand.

"That's really good. I'm happy for you." Viola sincerely stated.

William and Grace were sitting with Thomas and Charlette in a small corner of the lobby, which was beautifully decorated with four chairs and a small table in the middle.

"This season has been a lot of fun."

"It has William. A little stressful at times, but fun nonetheless." Charlette stated.

"I think the injury about did Grace in." William chuckled.

"I'm not ashamed to admit it, but I think he's right." Grace shook her head. "I mean…I know Jack isn't my child, but I imagined I would have the same feelings if it were one of my natural children. Watching him struggle through the pain and then trying to get back on the court. Especially when that guy landed on his ankle."
"I know what you mean. I like that you think of Jack as your child. You looked after him when he was exhausted at your home, and he ended up staying on your couch. Thank you for looking out for him."

Grace briefly glanced at her husband. She knew he still felt like he was missing out on something.

"You know, I still feel like I missed something that night. Like I'm not let in on an inside story or secret."
"I was worried about him." Grace quickly added. "I didn't want anything to happen to him because he was tired." Grace quickly glanced at Charlette. She had shared the picture she'd taken with her friend but not her husband.

"I remember when I received that call from Elizabeth on that horrible Monday. I was worried about Elizabeth just as much as I was about Jack. I'm not ashamed to admit it…" Thomas' voice broke a little. "…the tone of Elizabeth's voice broke me." Thomas stared at the small table in front of him, trying his best not to relive that unbearable memory.

"It's funny, isn't it? My girls were never into sports, none of them. Viola tried to shock us to death during her high school years by bringing weird boys home. Eilzabeth always volunteered at the library and children's center. Then Julie…" Grace could only shake her head at her youngest child. "They've never been into sports. As a result, I've never been into sports, but with Jack playing, I have greatly enjoyed going to the basketball games. We won't even talk about this lunatic." She nodded toward her husband.

The group just laughed at how much William yelled during the games. He began to deny it but knew he just couldn't.

"It's crazy that two people who never dated found their right one right out of the gate." Charlette could only shake her head. "I really thought Jack would go to college and maybe find someone there, but that boy just didn't want to date anyone. Ever since he made that decision on that swing, he just stuck to it. Nana convinced him that he shouldn't make that rule for the rest of his life. So, he decided he wouldn't date during high school."
"I thought the same way with Bethie," Grace stated as they noticed the charter bus pull into the parking lot and pull under the portal. They all laughed at how quickly Elizabeth jumped up and walked toward the front doors.

…

Family and friends gathered around the front door as the players, coaches, and water girls stepped off the bus. Almost all the families of those people were staying in the hotel, and even the family and friends who weren't staying in the hotel were there to celebrate with their loved ones.

Everyone on the bus thought these past couple of days were crazy. They had never experienced anything like this. Steven called it a 'hoopla of a circus', and almost everyone agreed with that sentiment.

Jack was the last person off the bus. He looked up as he stepped on the asphalt. It only took him a moment to find the person he was looking for.

"Bella." He whispered.

"Dimples," Elizabeth stated just above her normal speaking voice.
Elizabeth ran into his arms. She couldn't hold back anymore. She had to be touching Jack. He held her as he twirled her around. Elizabeth wanted to say something. Jack wanted to say something. They didn't know what to say. So, instead of filling the air with words they didn't know what to say, they just stayed in the moment. They both knew that as soon as they walked into the lobby, that they wouldn't be alone. There were just too many family members and friends that wanted a piece of Jack. So, they were going to take these few seconds with just them…alone.

…

During the game, Bill texted his manager on duty and had her call the local pizza place so that she could have enough pizzas delivered to everyone. The pizza place couldn't make that many, so the manager called another local pizza place. Between the two mom-and-pop pizza shops, they were able to make eighty pizzas and have them all delivered by eight o'clock. The pizzas were waiting for everyone when the bus pulled up.

Jack was sitting with Elizabeth to his right and Adam to his left. A steady stream of people would come by and speak to him for a few minutes. Elizabeth and Adam were his two constants. His two sets of parents were just off to the sides, sitting in chairs. They were close enough to be part of the conversation yet far enough away to allow others to have a few minutes with Jack.

"There is my lucky charm," Jack stated when he noticed Susan walking up. She sat on Elizabeth's lap. "Hey, I like what you did with your hair."
"Elizabeth did it during halftime."
"Princess Beth fixed your hair?" The teasing in his voice was evident.

"Jack! That's not my name. I thought we were way past this in our relationship." She huffed to Jack's and Suan's giggles.

For Jack and Susan, this has become a running joke between them. They enjoyed Elizabeth's reaction.

"Elizabeth, you did a good job."
She beamed at the compliment. Looking up, she saw Charles sitting across the room, staring in her direction. Her eyes immediately went back to Susan.

Charles was sitting with his mother and father across the room. He had just finished eating a slice of pizza. Even with all his might, he couldn't take his eyes off Elizabeth. He was still completely hooked on his auburn-haired friend. His whole senior year has crashed and burned. He still believed they should be dating. He just wouldn't let it go. He only took his eyes off Elizabeth when his mother spoke to him.

Ted sat down on the small coffee table in front of Jack and Elizabeth.

"Well done, cuz." Ted patted Jack's knee.

"Didn't you have classes today?"
"Yes, but we wanted to come and support you."
"Thanks," Jack stated as he looked between his cousin and Elizabeth's older sister. "Did Ma fuss at you?"
"Don't you know it!" He laughed.

The connection between them was easy to see. He was happy for his cousin.

"Hey Viola, why don't we go and get a slice of pizza?"

"That sounds great." Viola stood. "Ted, would you like a piece?"
"Sure."
"What kind?"
"Surprise me."
"Come on, girly." Elizabeth patted Susan's leg. Susan's smile grew. She loved that she was included with the older girls.

"So…" Viola stated. "I heard you are Jack's favorite person."
Susan smiled. "Maybe third favorite." She glanced toward Elizabeth and Adam.

"Thanks for coming. I appreciate it."
"No problem, Jack. I'm just glad I got to watch it."
"So, you two look happy." Jack nodded toward Viola.

"We are. Since we had our little talk the last time I visited you, we have grown closer together."
"Are you saying that I was right? That I know what I'm talking about when it comes to girls."
"Let's just say that Uncle Tom knows what he's talking about." Sassed Ted. He wasn't going to give his little cousin any credit.

"Sure, let's just go with that." Jack laughed. "So, how comfortable are you two?"
Ted leaned forward as if he was going to share a secret. He looked to make sure Viola wasn't within hearing distance. "Very."

Jack knowingly nodded his head. He perfectly understood his cousin's tone.

"So, she's absolutely the one?"
"She is. We are working in that direction with the understanding of us spending our life together."
"I'm happy for you."
"And you and Elizabeth?"
"The same. We are most certainly moving in that direction. I'm just trying to figure everything out."
"What do you mean?"
This time Jack leaned forward to share. "When I spoke with William, I promised we won't be married in high school."
"That soon?"
"He asked me not to be married before college starts. I think he wants us to wait until after college to be married."
"Really? Are you willing to wait that long?"
"Absolutely not!" Jack blurted out louder than he wanted. The parents followed the girls to get themselves more pizza. "I don't think I could wait that long. I know Elizabeth won't wait that long." He emphasized the word 'know'. "I have a plan. I haven't worked everything out yet, but I'm working on it."
Ted nodded his head. "Me too."

"Beth," Nana stated as she walked up to the girls, who were getting a plate.

"Beth?" Susan and Viola questioned.

"Only Nana can call me that." She smirked. She then introduced Jack's grandma to her older sister and Susan.

"Viola." Nana softly stated as she reached for her hand. "I have heard so much about you from my Shirley."

"Mrs. Milligan. Ted speaks so highly of you."

"That's so sweet of you to say." Her voice was so tender. "Now, from what Ted tells me, you are very important to him." Nana smiled at Viola's blushing cheeks.

"He's very important to me."
"That does my heart good to hear you say that."
Elizabeth looked back at Jack. She had only been gone for a few minutes but was already greatly missing her boyfriend. She could see that Adam was just enjoying being with Jack. She also noticed that Jack and Ted were in a deep conversation. She wondered what they were talking about. Both guys were leaning forward toward each other, lost in that deep conversation.

Then she saw Uncle Bill make his way over to Jack's couch. She knew her uncle wanted to spend a little bit of time with her boyfriend. He looked like he was on a mission as he walked closer to Jack. She knew Uncle Bill wouldn't be mean, but she also knew he would push until he got to know her boyfriend. He was a protective uncle who loved her very much.

Elizabeth looked back at Nana, Viola, and Susan. She loved Nana and wanted to spend time with her. She also loved spending time with her sister. Since her older sister began to date Ted, she thought Viola calmed down a little. She adored spending time with Susan. She was a precious little girl who made Elizabeth smile. As much as she wanted to spend time with these individuals, Jack was her priority at the moment since Uncle Bill had his uncle's facial expression plastered on his face.

"If you'll excuse me for a few moments…"
Viola cut her off before she finished her statement. "Ebeth…"
"Ebeth?" Questioned Nana.

"When she was born, I couldn't say Elizabeth. I was three years old." Viola went into a detailed account of her history of saying Ebeth.

Elizabeth smiled when Nana took her hand and held it during Viola's discourse. She looked over at Jack as Uncle Bill arrived at Jack's couch.

…

"Mr. Underwood," Jack stated as she began to stand.
"No…no…stay seated. I'll join you on the couch."
"I guess I should let you two talk."
"No, Ted. Why don't you stay? I should also get to know you since you are dating Viola."
Ted nodded his head. "It's good to meet you, sir."
"Nice to meet you, Ted. I have heard so much about you from William and Grace. Plus, I hear you are very good at the piano."
"William and Grace are very nice people. They seem to think I'm a little too good at the piano."
"They did say that."
"They really shouldn't say that." Ted shook his head.

"They did say that, but, Ted, I have heard that through many friends, including Mr. Waxman."
"Mr. Waxman?"
"Yes,"

"Oh…"

"I'm a backer from several symphonies. Mr. Waxman from the New York Symphony has spoken very fondly of a young piano player named Ted Milligan, a junior in college."

Ted's face turned a little reddish in color. He really didn't like the attention. The New York Symphony is one of the symphonies that approached him when he graduated. Ted nodded his head at the compliment,

"William told me that you approached him concerning your intentions with Viola."
Ted was taken aback by his forwardness. Ted took a deep breath. "Yes, sir, I did. I wanted William to know my true intentions toward Viola."
"And what are those intentions, young man?"
When Ted looked up, he noticed the beginning of a small smile on the corner of Bill's lips. He was coming across as a strict uncle, but the only thing Ted saw was a loving uncle. He knew right then that Bill was making sure Viola was ok.

"For us to take this time to get to know each other, working toward a lifetime together as husband and wife. That we are not dating just to date, but we are walking this path together now with every purpose of joining our lives together." Ted spent the next few minutes sharing his heart and his desire. Bill's expression softened, and a smile overtook his face. He was happy with everything he was hearing, and it showed.

"Very well, young man." Bill leaned forward and patted him on his knee. "Now, when you are ready, I know several influential players in the world you will be entering soon. If you would like some help, guidance, or just a conversation, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me. I offer you whatever you need."
"Thank you, sir."
"Uncle Bill, please. Sounds like you will be sticking around for a while."
"Well, since we have established how wonderful Ted is, I already know more about him." Bill turned his attention toward Jack. "I would like to know more about you."

Jack smiled. Instantly, Bill's face turned from a loving uncle to a protective uncle, just like the facial expression when he began to speak with Ted.

…

Elizabeth kept stealing glances over at Jack, Ted, Adam, and Uncle Bill. She has been gone much longer than she wanted to be. Nana and Viola kept pulling her into the conversation every time she excused herself to join Jack. Finally, she broke free when she kissed Nana on the cheek. She intently watched her boyfriend as she approached.

"There you are," Jack stated as Elizabeth walked up.
She gave him a smile. Then she squeezed herself in between Jack and Uncle Bill.

"Excuse me." Bill playfully sassed as she wiggled her way between them.
"Are you playing nice?"

"Of course." Bill pretended to be shocked. "Would you expect anything else?"
"Of course."
"I was just getting to know these two fine men. Now…I hate to leave, but my assistant has her normal expression when I am needed. He leaned in to give her a kiss on her cheek. "I like him." He whispered.

"Good, I'm glad."
"Hey, that brown-headed guy across the room…who is he?"
Elizabeth looked up and followed her Uncle Bill's eyes. "Oh…that's Charles." She whispered, trying not to let Jack hear her voice.

"Your best friend? Why is he staring a hole through you? He's been staring at you the whole night like that."

"I'm sure Mother told you everything."
"Your father mentioned a few things. It doesn't look like he's letting go."

Elizabeth kissed him on the cheek. "Not quite, but he's been harmless over the last little while. By the way, there is nothing to let go of. We never dated."

Bill nodded his head as he kept a close eye on that guy.

"Hey, if you need anything, let me know."
"Thanks, Uncle Bill," Elizabeth stated as she turned her head so he could kiss her on the cheek.

"Nice to meet you, young man," Bill stated as Ted nodded. He shook Ted's hand.

"Nice to meet you as well. Now, take care of my Flower Bug."

"I will, Uncle Bill. It was nice to meet you." Jack stated as she stood. He shook Bill's hand as Bill pulled him into a half hug.

"Uncle Bill?" Questioned Elizabeth as Jack sat down beside her. He just shrugged his shoulders.

"Sandra, please have Sammy keep an eye on the brown-headed guy by the red flowers. He has a red shirt on."
"Yes, sir."

…

Charles stared the rest of the night. He rarely took his eyes off Elizabeth. While he was happy that they won the state championship, he was just as angry that he wasn't part of it. He hasn't played in any of the games at Winchester College. Since his argument with Elizabeth and being back on the team, he has only played when the game was already settled.

Charles blinked and looked up when he felt a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, Mother."

"Son." She stated as she followed his eyes. She sat beside her son and exhaled a long breath. "I know your senior year has not been what you have wanted it to be, but son, you caused all of it."
"I did no such…" He stopped when his mother turned her full attention to her son.

"I spoke with Mrs. Farley after the restaurant. You and your father didn't tell me everything that happened."
"Why did you speak to her?"
"Because you and your father hid things from me, and I didn't feel that you two were going to tell me everything. Mrs. Farley and I had a long discussion."

Charles nodded his head. His mother was very upset with him because he was the reason Elizabeth had bruises on her arms, and she told him about her displeasure.

As he watched the rest of the team celebrate, he also watched Jack and Elizabeth. His teammates were excited about their victory and state championship. He thought he was the only one not celebrating. That's when he noticed Jack and Elizabeth. He watched them for a while. They sat with a group. However, they were always together. They would sit side by side or stand beside each other. They were always touching. He noticed Jack talking with the guy who he thought owned the hotel they were staying in. While everyone else was cheerful and enjoying themselves, he was the only one who was acting like he lost.

To Charles, he did lose. He lost out on his relationship with Elizabeth and on his senior year of basketball. The first little bit, he steamed at what he was seeing. All of this should have happened with him and Elizabeth being together. This should be their time together.

"Son, you know I love you, but you crossed the line with that young lady. Elizabeth has always been a precious young lady. I always hoped you two would get together, but you always told me that you two were just friends."
"That's what she had wanted."
"Then you absolutely must respect that."
Charles nodded his head. His mother's words were finally beginning to land effectively. His friend did look happy. He could never get her to act like that with him. While they had a good time with friends and when they were just them together, she was never like this with him. Her smile when she was with Jack was just different.

"Charles, you had a tremendous friendship with Elizabeth. I understand why you wanted to further your relationship with her. She is precious, but Charles, you can't force that. For whatever reason, she didn't reciprocate your feelings. That doesn't make you any less."
"Why wasn't I enough?"
"I don't think that is it. Before I met your father, I had a close friend named Tim. He wanted to date me, but I didn't feel for him like that. I loved him as a friend, but not any more than that. That didn't lessen my friendship with him."
"How did he handle it?"
"We remained friends. I met your father. Tim became your father's good friend until he moved away when his father accepted a promotion. Tim realized we were just friends, and that would be all it was. I wished you and Elizabeth could have worked out, but Charles…you can't force someone to love you back like that. Not only have you lost out on a relationship with a great girl, you have lost that friendship with her. Plus, you have lost out on a friendship with that guy. He seems like a good guy. Also, you don't hang out with Sam or a couple of other guys."
Charles looked in the direction of Jack and Elizabeth, then turned his attention toward Sam. They were always good friends, but they hadn't been friends in the last couple of months. Things were beginning to become clear to him.

…

Jack and Elizabeth were standing off to one side with a large group of family and friends. The team had an hour before their curfew. Most parents had called it a night already and made their way to their rooms. Most of the people that were left were high schoolers and young adults. It was a lively group, but not too loud.

Elizabeth leaned over and whispered into Jack's ear. "I'll be right back. I'm going to the restroom."
"I'll be here." He stated, and then he watched her walk away.

"Hey Jack, you got a couple of minutes?" Shane asked as he walked up.

"Sure, young man. What's up?"
"My grandparents are in the lobby. Would you mind coming and saying hi to them? They would like to meet you."
"Sure."
"They've heard a lot about you."
"Bragging about me, huh?" Sassed Jack as he patted the young fella on the back.

"Yeah…yeah…"

Elizabeth returned just a couple of minutes later. She saw Jack with Shane and an older couple in the lobby. They were also with Shane's parents. She didn't want to interrupt them. She nodded to the conference room when She caught Jack's attention. He nodded that he would be back in a few minutes.

Elizabeth made her way to the table with all the drinks on it. She poured herself a cup of tea and grabbed a cheesy bread stick. As much as she didn't want to eat another one, they were just so good.

"They were always your weakness."

Elizabeth quickly turned around to the distant, familiar voice of her old childhood friend. It had been a while since they had spoken.

"I guess they have. Congratulations, Charles."
"Thanks, but we both know I didn't play a role in all of this."
She wanted to say something but thought better of it.

"Elizabeth, may I have a moment of your time?"
"I don't think so, Charles,"

"Just a moment…over here." He nodded toward the closest corner.

"No, Charles." Her voice had the Thatcher determination to it.
He let out a long breath. He knew that tone all too well.

"I've come to a powerful and painful realization tonight."
"And what was that?" She turned her full attention to her former friend.

"That I have lost a treasured friendship with you."
Elizabeth was a little taken aback by his words. While he had apologized before, this time, it felt different. His tone was different, and his body posture was different as well. His voice didn't have a tone to it, and he wasn't pushy. She would call him defeated if she had to describe the short conversation so far.

"You have Charles." Her tone softened a little. "I told you from the very beginning that I didn't want to lose you as a friend. I left that window open for us to remain friends, but you pushed and pushed."
"I did." He remained three to four feet from her. He never tried to close the distance between them. She noticed this. "I just knew in my heart that we were meant for each other. Instead of pulling back and listening to what you were saying, I thought I knew better."
"And when you assaulted me in the school's parking lot?"

"My ignorance shining through in a big way. I didn't mean to hurt you. I've never did. I…I just lost myself for a long while."
"I would say."
"Anyways, I wanted to truly apologize to you for all the bad things I've done. I wanted you to know that."
Elizabeth studied him for a few moments. This felt like the old Charles of their friendship. Even so, she wasn't willing to forgive him. Too much had happened between them.

"I would like to apologize to Jack, but I have already burned that bridge to crumbs. He would never listen to me, and I don't blame him. Anyway, I just wanted you to know that I am truly sorry and will no longer harass you or Jack. Elizabeth, I'm truly sorry."
Elizabeth blinked at her friend. She was having trouble comprehending the conversation. For the first time since school started in the fall, she felt like this was the Charles of old. She also thought this was the first time that he truly, honestly, heart-filled apology.

As Charles turned to leave, he stopped. He was sideways to her. He didn't turn to face her completely head-on. Instead, he just turned his head to look at her. "Just to let you know, I've been accepted into my father's alma mater. I'm going to Carnegie University in the fall."
"Congratulations, Charles. I know you have always wanted to attend that school since you were a child."
"Thank you, Elizabeth." With one last nod, he spoke in a very soft voice. "Elizabeth, I truly wish you all the happiness in this world. You most certainly deserve it. Goodbye, Elizabeth." With that last statement, Charles turned away from her and entered the lobby and the elevators.

Elizabeth stared as he walked away. The conversation was so unexpected. She turned her attention from Charles' back and turned to her right.

"What did he want?" Connie asked as Steph nodded her head in agreement.

"He apologized."
"Again?"
"Yeah, but I think he actually apologized this time. Like…really meant it."

"What does that mean?"
"He was like the old Charles," Elizabeth mentioned. "He seemed sincere and truly apologized."
Steph and Connie turned toward the lobby. He had already left.
"It doesn't change anything, but I'm glad he truly apologized." Elizabeth shook her head. Her smile appeared when Jack walked into the conference room.

…

"He did?" Jack asked with the greatest amount of skepticism in his voice.

Elizabeth and Jack were in the same little spot beside the elevator they had been in the previous night. It was somewhat secluded. They just wanted a few private moments together, surrounded by family and everyone else.

"I know…but I think he truly apologized." Elizabeth spent a couple of minutes explaining everything Charles said during their little discussion. Elizabeth shared his words and Charles's tone and body posture. She could tell that Jack had stiffened a little. She felt it as she held his hands.

"So…what does all of that mean?" He hesitantly asked. As far as Charles is concerned, Jack was simply done with that guy. He had no desire to be friends with him. Charles had just burned too many bridges too many times.

Jack had spoken about Charles at length with his father on a few occasions. Thomas hesitated for his son to write off a person. He did not want his son to get in the habit of dismissing people. However, he also knew everything Charles had done. Reluctantly, he agreed with Jack's desire just to be finished with that guy.

"It doesn't change anything." She pulled him closer. She felt him stiffen, and while he didn't step back, she felt him lean back.

"I meant what I said before…I will not try to stop you from being friends with that guy, but I will not be part of that group. I will find something else to do while you are hanging with him."
"And I meant what I said before…I will not be friends with him. He crossed the line too many times. I don't want him ruined, and I hope he has truly changed, but I am not opening myself up to a friendship with him. I'm saying he was sincere for the first time in his apology. I think he finally gets it and is moving on."
Jack nodded his head. He didn't trust that guy. He figured he would never trust him.

Elizabeth intently looked Jack in the eyes until he returned the look. Instead of saying anything, she just allowed her eyes to speak to him. He easily saw the love in her eyes, even deeper than surface level. Those seas of blue were screaming everything at him.

"By the way…" She flirted as she stepped against him. Her hands released his hands and found their way to his hips. They slowly followed his belt to his lower back. They also slipped down a little. She wasn't holding his backside, but she could feel it a little. "…I have never had a good kiss from a state champion before."
"Really?"
"Really."

Jack's hand landed on her hips. He tried to pull her closer. When her body was completely against him, he slowly let his hands follow her waist to her lower back. She could barely feel his hands. That only drove the desire even more. She loved how gentle he was at times. He grabbed her lower back for only a second. Then, his hands traveled down. He could feel her bottom begin to flare out from her lower back. When both hands found their destination, he gently cupped her bottom.

Elizabeth slightly jumped toward him when he squeezed her bottom. She could never explain why that sensation felt so good, but it most certainly does. She secretly wished he would do that more often.

When Elizabeth jumped into him, she moaned. When she did, Jack couldn't hold back any further. His lips crashed and proclaimed Elizabeth's lips with a loving passion that only fueled the love. She immediately opened her mouth to grant him access. As a matter of fact, she opened her lips before Jack's tongue asked for permission. The kiss was perfect in every aspect. Their tongues performed the most perfect dance. Their lips melted together, and they worked together to deepen the kiss.

When Jack pushed her against the wall and placed some of his weight against her, she lost all resemblance of control. Her moan only drove Jack deeper into the kiss. Which, in turn, drove Elizabeth's passion, and Jack could easily sense it. They were utterly lost in each other and couldn't be happier about it.

Jack broke the kiss when his cell phone's alarm sounded. They both groaned at the lost connection. He had set the alarm so he wouldn't miss the coach's curfew.

Elizabeth released the hold on his bottom and raised her hand until it found the back of Jack's head. She began to play with the hair on the back of his head. "Gracious, you're good at that." Her voice trailed off.

"Wow…" Jack's voice sounded weak as he tried to catch his breath. He placed his forehead against hers. He didn't want to break the connection.

After a few moments of calming down, they leaned back but did not break their embrace.

"Jack, thank you for always looking in my direction when you're on the court. I know you are focusing on the game, but I greatly appreciate that you always sought me out. It means a lot to me."

"I play much better when you are there. You calm me and give me strength."
She chuckled. "Us…together."
"Us…together."

"I'm not sure what the schedule is tomorrow."
"That's ok. I don't know when mother and father will leave. I think Viola and Ted may have changed whatever schedule they had."
"I'll text you when I find out tomorrow."

"I miss you, Jack."
"Uh humm," Jack smirked.

"Aren't you going to tell me that you miss me?"
"Nope." He playfully smirked. "I'm not giving you an opportunity to make fun of me."

…

After settling in their beds for the evening, Jack rested on his back, looking at the ceiling. It was almost one in the morning. He was trying to process the last couple of days, especially today.
"Hey, man."

"Yeah," Shane stated in the darkness of the room.

"Today…it really happened, didn't it?"
"Yeah, man. It did."
Jack nodded his head as he smiled. The whole of the tournament began to sink in truly.

"Thank you, Jack."
"It's your turn next year."
"I hope I will make you proud."

"You already have, Shane. I'm proud of you. Maybe we can play one more year together if you choose to come to Bryan's. There's only one thing…"
"What's that?"
"You can't take my starting position when you get to college."

Shane laughed. "Hey Jack…"
"Yeah…"
"Thanks for everything."
"You're welcome."
"I mean it, Jack. From suggesting to the coach to let me go in when you were injured to all the times I followed you around practice to all of your advice. You challenged me by asking me all those questions about what I saw. You were very patient with me, and I appreciate it greatly."

"Shane, you will be so much better than I am. I can easily see it. You're just young and need to learn how to play the game with more than just talent."

"Thanks, brother."

"There's only one thing."
"What's that?"
"What I did for you, you need to do it for the next young pup."
"I promise." Shane let out a long sigh. "I love this feeling."
"It's great, isn't it?"