Chapter 11 in the Mr. Basketball series. All characters involved in sexual activity are 18 or older.
*****
"Thanks for taking me to the airport Thom," I said getting into the car.
"It's not a problem," he smiled.
We started down the road and had a light conversation before we hit the highway.
"So, what's been going on between you and Taylor?" he asked.
I had known Thom long enough to know that he wasn't stupid. He knew something was up and I didn't want to lie to him I just didn't know how to break it to him.
"Well," I sighed.
"Jake," he said softly. "Don't lead me on. If there's something going on just tell me. I'd rather you be honest than lie to me about it."
"I don't want to lie to you Thom," I said honestly. "Right now I'm not sure. We... kissed the other night when I knocked Jeremy on his ass."
He nodded his head as he changed lanes.
"She told me she had feelings for me and she wanted to know if I felt the same."
"Do you?" he asked.
"I do, but I don't know if I'm fully ready to... I don't know," I sighed.
"Explore those feelings," he offered.
"Yeah," I sighed again. "With everything that's happened and what Taylor has been to me for so long I just don't know."
"I know," he nodded. "You don't want to hurt her."
"That and people will talk and..." I trailed off.
"And what?" he questioned.
"I was really thinking about moving back home after she graduated," I relented.
"Like, to Texas, home?" he questioned.
"Yeah," I sighed. "You guys have been good to me but... I don't know. I'm still up in the air on what I want to do really."
"I know what you mean," he sighed.
I felt the car change lanes again as Thom drove on and thought about what I had just said. He shifted in his seat and looked like he was going to speak but stopped and thought again. Then he finally spoke.
"You know," he paused. "I'm surprised that you are really worried about what other people think."
"Why is that?" I asked curious myself.
"You are a straight laced, tough as nails, don't take no shit from anybody kind of guy," he smiled his smile. "You fight for what you believe in and see through the bullshit when there's bullshit in the way. I remember the very first time I ever met you."
"Yeah, me too," I smiled.
"I came barging into your office and fired off all kinds of shit in your face," he continued. "You never missed a beat and got right in my face and told me where to go. It was the first time in a very long time that somebody had actually stood up to me and not let me walk all over them. I knew I liked you from that moment even if I said something different."
"Bullshit," I joked.
He laughed hard before continuing on with his story. "Little did I know it was going to be you, coming into my office to tell me you were dating my daughter. You didn't seem scared at all to come in there and tell me what was going on and lay it all out for me. Even with our history you still came to me and told me the truth."
"Yeah," I smiled still. "But I'm not the same guy I was when I came to you though."
"Bullshit," he chuckled. "You are just the same as you were before. The only difference now is you choose your battles that are worth choosing."
I had never thought of it that way. Thom was smarter than I really did give him credit for.
"People talked when you started dating Teagan. They said I was crazy to let a player like you date my daughter. I was setting her up to get her heart broken. I didn't think that at all. You were just what she needed to be honest. You weren't a push over like the guys she had been dating to that point. Sure you had a past but everyone does."
"I guess what I'm trying to say is, don't worry about what other people think. You do what you think is the right thing to do. Just know that if dating Taylor is the right thing, it can't be taken lightly. Make sure you are ready to date again before you decide. She really adores you. Don't get into anything until you know you are ready. It will break Taylor's heart if you string her along."
"Yes sir," I said. "I know."
"As far as you moving back home I can't blame you. There's nothing really keeping you here anymore. I would really like you to stay but I can't force you to do something you don't want to do. You're like the son I never had and I love you pieces but I understand the need for you to be home and back with your family."
"It's a hard choice for me to make," I sighed. "I love it here but I miss home. Now with everything that's starting to happen with Taylor I don't know if Texas is really there I want to be. I have more questions than I do answers at this point."
"You have a couple of months before you have to decide Jake. Don't let us tell you what is best for you."
The conversation dried up for a little while as we started to get closer to the airport.
"Did Taylor tell you she got a letter from Duke?" Thom asked. "They want her to come down there and check it out."
"That she did," I smiled.
"You know that's where she wants to go," he smiled.
"There isn't anything wrong with that."
"What do you think?"
"I loved it there but I don't know anything about the girls program," I said. "She needs to go down there and see for herself what they have to offer."
"You two should go down there and see what it's all about," he smiled.
"I'd be happy too."
The hard pull of the car indicated that we had reached the exit and were almost to the airport. After a few more turns we reached the departure terminal as Thom pulled to the curb.
"Enjoy your time Jake," Thom said.
"I will dad," I smiled and shook his hand.
"See you in a few days."
*
I pulled into the driveway and climbed from the car. My mom met me at the front door with a big hug as I climbed the steps.
"There's my boy," she cheered. "I've missed you."
"I've missed you too momma."
"You look a little rough," she laughed.
"Been a hard couple of months," I sighed.
"I'm sorry baby," she said sincerely. "It was so sudden and we couldn't make it there."
"I didn't want you guys up there anyway," I sighed. "It wasn't the kind of visit I wanted from you guys."
"I know baby," she said hugging me again. "Yur daddy wad in the middle of a big project so we just couldn't make it."
"I know momma," I said. "Don't worry about it."
"So, how have you been?"
"Keeping myself busy."
"That's good. Come on in so we cain talk inside."
"Where's dad?" I asked after tossing my bag in my old room.
"He's out with Gus checking on sumthang. He should be back soon."
"Where's everybody else?"
"It's only three son," she laughed. "They ain't gunna be here 'til after church. Yur daddy will be along shortly."
We both sat at the table and talked about the small town gossip again. We talked about me for a while before dad came home with Gus.
"Hey dad," I said climbing from the chair and giving him a hug.
"Sorry 'bout us not bein there Jacob," he said.
"I know dad."
"How you been?" Gus asked giving me a big hug like he always does.
"Keeping busy, that's all I can do."
"The devil dreams on an idle horse," he said patting my back again.
"That's the truth," I laughed.
"I'm gunna go git clean up right quick Earl," Gus said. "See you at the church."
"Yes um," dad sighed.
Gus hugged me again. "It's good ta see ya come back Jake."
Gus quickly left as dad and I sat at the table. Mom started cooking us a quick dinner.
"So boy," dad sighed. "I hear you been hittin' the bottle purdy hard these days."
"Yeah," I sighed. "I was but I haven't been for a while now. I figured out I was a big asshole and I decided that I should clean myself up."
"Thom told me you wad goin' out a lot and gitten drunker than a da gum skunk. I wad thanking 'bout flying up there to whoop yur ass if you didn't figure it out."
"No sir," I said quickly. "There's no need for that now. I've been clean."
"That's what I like to hear boy. You cain't drown yur sorrows you know? They tend to float."
"Yes sir," I said.
"You always gots us Jacob," my mom said as she came to the table with dinner. "That's what we is here for."
"I know momma. It's been an adjustment but I think I'm on the right path now."
"You best keep it that way then," dad warned. "Thom was purdy worried 'bout you. He really cares 'bout you ya know?"
"Yes sir, I know."
"You would be lettin' me down and him too. I ain't even gunna say what Teagan would thank."
"Yes sir," I sighed again. "I know."
"I'm just maken sure we is clear on what I is expecting from you."
"I got it dad," I said annoyed.
"Let's eat then."
We ate and then went to church. After church we headed back to the house to sit on the porch and shoot the shit like we had always done. I sat there and listened to them bull shit. I threw in my thoughts when I was asked about something but I was quiet for the most part. This was what I missed about being away. This tight nit group of people who really cared about you even if you weren't related. I just didn't get that being up there.
Missy sat way across the porch as we all talked. We hadn't said much to each other since she had gotten here. It was just a simple hello and how are you doing. After that we left each other alone again and sat away from each other. We had repaired our relationship some since that Christmas a few years ago. By that I mean we tolerated each other so the two families would not have to get involved and separate us again.
"You want a beer?" Gus asked.
"No sir," I said politely. "I'm not drinking anymore."
"All the more fur me," he laughed as he headed inside to get a cold one.
"You been playen any?" Gus asked me holding the old guitar when he returned.
"I have," I smiled.
"At least you ain't lost all yur roots," he laughed.
"Yeah," I sighed. I took it he didn't know about my problems as he stood looking at me.
"Play me sumthang then."
I took the guitar from him and started playing an old tune that I was good at. He nodded his approval after I finished and handed it back to him.
"Not bad for a damn Yankee," he laughed.
"I won't be for long," I laughed back. "I was thinking about coming home after Taylor graduates."
"I cain't blame you," Gus said.
"Uncle Burt could use the help," dad offered hinting about the basketball team. "Maybe Sam too."
"Uncle Burt knows what he's doing," I chuckled. "Sam on the other hand, maybe."
They laughed as Gus started strumming.
"Where is Sam anyway?" I asked momma.
