"Make way for the King!"

Rolling my eyes at Sage's dramatics as we enter the locker room, I open my locker. It doesn't really matter if I've taken the offer or not, his loud ass is still bragging to everyone under the sun.

Stretching my arms out, I groan, "Shut up, dude."

"What's wrong, McClain?" Jake Bowman asks, yanking his shirt off. "Suddenly too good for a little work?"

Cracking my jaw, I try to ignore the sudden urge to punch him. Ever since I bailed on that party, he's been distant, now really isn't the time to start running his mouth.

"Have a little resp..." Sage's voice dies down as he faces Jake, paling drastically as he shuts his mouth.

"Respect is that last thing you should be lecturing me on, don't think anyone's forgotten." Jake starts, eyeing him with a sickening gleam.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Sage offers, sounding like a scared two-year-old.

He snorts, "Maybe tonight will jog your memory."

What the hell is going on? Gabe stands by his locker in a tank top, completely stoic to the situation. "Shut up, Bowman."

Jake's eyes land on him, "You think you're protected now? If anything, you put an even bigger target on your chest. Don't try to protect others."

No one's laughing, all the others watching on just as lost as I am.

"Don't you worry about me, Bowman, the big times don't pick weak links. Who's interested in you again?" I smirk at the twitch of his jaw. "No one."

Some of the guys let out "ohs" but there's still a tension in the air that doesn't dissolve until he leaves the room.

Grabbing my towel, I nudge Sage, who hasn't moved. "What the hell was that about?"

Slowly, he blinks, "Nothing, Bowman's just being an ass."

No, he's always an ass. Today he was being rude with a purpose.

"Come on," Sage closes his locker, "we have thirty minutes till class starts."

Begrudgingly, I follow, not wanting to drop the topic.

Twenty-five minutes later, I find Scarlett by her locker and I want to ask about Sage, but I stop myself. I can't worry her with the fear of something being wrong when it's probably nothing. I mean, Jake is an ass but he's not going to do anything.

It's just locker room banter.

So instead, I hug her. "Morning, Sweetheart."

Hugging me back, she sips her coffee. "You're way to cheery for someone who had morning work outs at 5:30."

Laughing, I take her bag. "Unlike some people, I love mornings."

There's no chaos as the day begins, almost like I get to watch the world reset itself from the wrong doings of the past.

She groans in response and I take the opportunity to admire her cheer uniform. "Are you ready to cheer tonight?"

Nodding, she grimaces, "Yeah, as long as I don't embarrass myself."

I let out another laugh, "Sweetheart, I think you'll do just fine."

If she cheers as good as she looks then she'll kill it.

She smiles, turning her head so I can't see, and it makes me beyond happy. My bliss is ruined by the arrival of our friends.

"What's there to blush about?" Gabe asks, sliding up next to Scar. "Trying to remember what I look like naked?"

My jaw falls to the floor, I know he didn't just say that. Scarlett, however, lets out a laugh.

"Please, I'd rather not be sick so early in the morning."

"You wound me, Scar." He jokes as I watch their encounter.

Gabe and Zev started eating with us two weeks ago and honestly, it's been strange. It's nice to have all my friends in one place but it's beyond weird to watch him and Scar interact. From what I can tell, they haven't spoken one on one, but they seem comfortable around each other.

He taunts her, she laughs and does it right back. To anyone else, it would appear normal, but I know Scarlett. She messes around but she's holding back. I know what it's like to have her full attention and he's not getting it.

I don't mention that though.

Ella appears, holding two big tupperwares full of cupcakes. In an instant, Scarlett leaves my side to help her without being asked.

I'm about to offer my own help when a hand slaps the back of my head. Hissing in pain, I turn to Gabe. "What the hell is your problem?"

"Nothing, just wonder why my friend is too chicken to ask the girl he's drooling over out." He offers smugly, not bothering to lower his voice.

Glaring at him, I move us further down the hall. "Your friend, is trying to put his girl first rather than a relationship."

He snorts, "Who gave you that idea, lover boy? Ella?"

Instead of responding, I glance back over at them. Scarlett smiles softly and waves in return before Sage grabs her attention.

"Oh my God, she did." Gabe concludes, snapping me back to reality.

"Well, I had to go to someone reasonable for advice and she's the only other person in my position." I defend myself.

Ella really helped me. She pointed out that Scarlett still isn't completely comfortable with the idea of dating me and strongly encouraged more time for a few reasons. Time for her to adjust to me being completely involved. Time for me to make sure I can handle everything that comes with being there for her.

I don't need time, Scarlett does though and I'm okay with that.

"Ashton, you do realize that's been her mantra for over two years now, right?"

Opening my mouth, the realization that he's right hits me and I feel slightly sick. Do I want to spend two years like this? I would, but I don't want to. "I'm doing what I feel is right."

Gabe offers me a pity nod, "Let me see if I can get this show moving."

Before I can understand what he means, I'm left as he makes his way back to our group. "Scarlett Rain Rhodes, will you do me the immense pleasure of being my Valentine this year?"

Half the hallway stops to watch, even Avery shows her miserable face for this encounter. I feel like I want to kill him for this, knowing how uncomfortable the attention is making her.

But I'm more focused on the fact he just asked her out. On a date.

"Gabriel, have you lost your damn mind?" She demands, stalking towards him.

"No, but I've lost my number. Can I have yours?" He asks smugly, knowing how to piss her off.

Scarlett punches his gut, not holding back. "Go find some girl desperate enough to crawl into bed with you and leave me alone."

I smile, at least she said no but another thing bothers me. Valentine's Day is coming up. It's still a solid twenty days away but damn, I forgot.

More importantly, what am I going to do?

The bell rings, dispersing the crowd as Scarlett walks back over to me. "You need a minute?"

Rolling her eyes as my arm pulls her closer, she gags. "More like I need a trash can."

Fair enough.

*****

The game is a piece of cake.

We're winning by forty with another whole quarter left in the game. Going for a brief drink before the final quarter begins, Jake Bowman, who doesn't play basketball, walks past us.

"Looks like you can count yourself lucky for tonight, kid." He mutters to Sage, not bothering to stop before he walks toward a guy waiting by the door.

I manage to catch a quick look, the only noticeable impressing is the ink against the brown skin of his neck.

Sage appears as pale as a ghost but a swear from James has me snapping my attention to where the girls are doing a stunt on the floor.

Watching Avery, who looks like she's seen a ghost, drop Scarlett sends a wave a fear through me. I run, ignoring coach who shouts after me. Somehow I manage to catch her, the force of her fragile body slamming into mine almost enough to make me stumble.

"Am I dead?" She whispers and I move her close up.

Of course, that would be her first reaction.

"No, Sweetheart, I got ya." I respond just as quiet, not wanting to ruin this moment.

Her eyes fly open in disbelief, angling her face so it's almost touching mine. I decide that the only thing that could make this better is if I could kiss her.

But that's exactly what I decided to not do.

Instead, I smirk as the entire gym hoots and hollers. "I guess this means I'm your hero."

That's the first time that words been used for me.

Rolling her eyes, she pats my cheek. "Okay, Prince Charming, please put me down."

That's a first too but I remain silent as I carry her back to the sidelines just so I don't have to let go just yet.

Offering a wink, I run back, completely forgetting I have a game to play.

*****

After we win, I'm reminded of Sage's unknown issue as I catch him talking quietly to Gabe. And by quietly, I mean he stays silent while Gabe pesters him with a determined look.

What's going on? Knowing better than to eavesdrop, I purposely wait till he's finished.

"Everything good?" I ask Gabe as he practically runs for the door.

Stopping, He offers a weak smile. "Perfectly fine, why?"

"Yeah, like I buy that." I snort, he really can't lie for shit. His voice gets all high and his face looks like he's eaten a lemon.

Anxiously glancing around, he shrugs. "It's fine, where's Scar?"

Instantly, my muscles tense. "Probably went to the car."

"Alone?"

Like it matters? "The twins and Saff were with her, why?"

I'm about to freak out, knowing something's off, when his odd behavior vanishes. "No reason, maybe you should go make a move after playing Superman."

Rolling my eyes, I shove him. "I did a basic act of kindness, unlike the prick who asked her out."

I'm still not over it.

He waves me off, "It was harmless, unless you feared my charm would win her over."

Glaring at him, I go for the door. "Not a chance, I feared you'd get a fist to the face."

"Wouldn't be the first time." He admits and I wait for him to move but he stays put so I stop too. "Go ahead, I think I left my keys in my locker."

Offering him one last weary look, I brace the cold outdoors. However, I absolutely lose it when I see Scarlett standing outside all alone.

Gabe's weird behavior is making me a little paranoid.

"What are you doing?" I demand, taking in the paleness of her skin.

Did something happen?

"I just wanted to say thanks for saving my ass earlier." She offers hurriedly and I notice no one else is here.

She's fine. She's also not wearing a freaking jacket and it's beyond freezing.

"No, not that, it's freezing, and you have no pants or jacket on." I assure her, seeing how stupid she feels for this.

Dropping my bag, I peel my jacket off and hand it to her. Instead of taking it, she stares at me in shock.

"I have a jacket, Ashton."

Obviously not. Ignoring her, I throw it over her shoulders. Reaching into my bag, I pull out my fleece pullover. It's a little scratchy, but it does that job.

"Here, I'll take that one." She offers, reaching for it.

What is her issue with my jacket? Looking at her, I realize why she's being weird. I gave her my letterman's jacket. That's a relationship thing.

Hell yeah, now she has to wear that.

Knowing she won't listen, I grab her shoulders. "I want you to wear it now stop being stubborn."

Beyond want, I will literally pout like a two-year-old if she doesn't wear it.

Gasping, her eyes widen as she slips her arms into it. I pretend to not notice how she sniffs it.

"Hey, Charming." She says and I look around for someone else. It's not until she nudges me that I get that I'm Charming. "Thanks."

"No problem, Sweetheart." I assure her, really trying to keep my cool.

I have a nickname.

Reaching our cars, I try to find the power to say goodnight. I don't want to just yet. Before I can decide, I'm hugged tightly. A whole new surprise as I wrap my arms around her.

I could get used to that, she rarely offers affection.

"Charming, really?" I blurt out as we separate, trying to understand why she'd use that word. I would've thought she'd use anything but that.

Asshole seems more her type.

"It suits you." She says with a genuine smile.

Not really. I'm more likely to mess things up than anything. I'm not capable of being her Prince Charming, no matter how desperately I want to be.

She must be able to read my face, "I don't complain about Sweetheart." Fair enough. "Why do you call me that?"

Oh, um. In the beginning I just wanted to be an ass and piss her off. Over time though, I don't know. She's nothing near sweet but at the same time, she's the sweetest thing in my life.

"It suits you."

*****

Arriving home, I'm expecting to find Ronnie waiting to congratulate me but it's eerily silent.

"I'm home." I call out, setting my bag down.

"Kitchen!" Mom offers tightly.

Involuntarily, my palms sweat as I walk down the dark hall. Mom and Dad are sitting at the kitchen table, their lips pressed into thin lines.

"Take a seat, Hun."

Pulling the chair out, I finally notice the envelope resting on the table. "What's this?"

They share a look.

"Ashton, we need to you listen and remain calm." Dad offers, his words having the opposite effect.

Did I get expelled? Did Ethan's family decide they now want to press charges months after the fight? "What is it?"

"Your father wrote a letter."

Instantly, my heart stops beating. "How did he find us?"

This is a fluke. It's meant for someone else. It has to be.

However, the envelopes return address is for Baldwin State Prison. I'm not so sure another inmate would be looking for Ashton McClain.

Oh God, I feel sick on the inside. Ready to claw out of my own skin so I can flee from the memories taking over me. I thought I was free.

This was a fresh start.

"I'm not sure, I have people looking into it." Dad assures me and I know he's serious.

He wants me to feel better, but I don't.

Mom clears her throat, "You can read it if you'd like, we won't stop you." Even though she really wants to burn the paper littering her table.

Shaking my head, I keep my emotions hidden. Because, while I'm a mess on the inside, I refuse to let that man ruin my life.

This is my fresh start and he won't ruin that.

"Put it somewhere, I have no use for it now." I demand before standing to my shaky feet.

It's not until my door closes that I freak out. He's locked behind bars hundreds of miles away and I'm here. I'm the one who's living life surrounded by people who love me.

I won, so why am I so scared?

*****

Okay, so a lot happened.

Jake Bowman is an ass. Gabe won't rest till his ship has sailed. And I love Ashton, not really new!

However, father dearest is starting to work his way back into the picture...

XO~Mo