AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Being on the courts, playing a game of two against two with friends, he was reminded of why he loved the sport so much. He thrived on competition and working hard to beat his opponent, but he also loved the laughs. He loved the game, but more than that, he loved the memories associated with the game.
He passed the ball to Milo, who cross jabbed and got around Connor to make the shot. Nolan high-fived his teammate, then turned to Connor. “Little rusty.”
“I’m just warming up.”
Jasper took the ball and checked it to Milo, who cut up the middle of the court. This time Connor got the ball from him and took a shot, making it with nothing but net.
“Like I said, just warming up.”
“Can we not make me look bad in the process,” Milo joked. He walked mid-court, and Nolan made sure he did so without a limp. Milo would pretend like he was fine, even if his leg was acting up. He seemed to be okay, and they continued the game.
In the end, Connor and Jasper won by two.
“I want a rematch,” Nolan said.
Connor bounced the ball, then spun it on his finger. “Of course, you do. Can never take a loss.”
“Damn straight.”
“I’ll be on duty for the rest of the week. The riptides are starting to get strong,” Jasper said. “Had to rescue a fourteen-year-old kid yesterday.”
“Was it one of your students?” Connor asked.
“Nah, it was someone from out of town. I tell all my students if they get caught in a riptide to swim parallel to the shore or just float and call for help.”
“I feel like that’s been ingrained in our heads since we were kids,” Connor said.
“That’s because we grew up on the beach. These kids that haven’t, they don’t know and panic. This kid scared the shit out of himself. By the time I got to him, he was climbing on top of me, digging his nails into my back.”
Milo slapped a hand on his shoulder. “Our very own superhero. Molding young kid’s minds and saving them on the side.”
Nolan laughed. “And partying in his off time.”
“Hey, we only live once,” Jasper said. “Besides, I have the entire school year to be on my best behavior. If I didn’t let loose in the summer, I’d lose my mind.”
“It’s been fine by me,” Milo said. “With him out partying it gives me and Harper the house to ourselves.” He wiggled his eyebrows, and Jasper shook his head.
“It’s like living with a couple of horny teenagers,” Jasper said.
“You’re just jealous.”
Nolan missed this. How he’d gone three years without hanging out with friends, or throwing the ball around, was a mystery to him now that he was back in the thick of it.
“Rematch after the hurricane then,” he said.
Connor spun the ball on his other finger. “You’re on.”
“What are you two doing during the storm?” Nolan asked Milo and Jasper. “They’re talking about dangerously high tides and flooding.” Their house looked out over the bay and their street had been prone to flooding in the past.
“I’ll be staying with the other lifeguards at the rental,” Jasper said. “Hurricane party.”
“Naturally,” Nolan said.
“I’ll probably stay at the house. Harper’s going to go to her mom’s house to ride it out. Tom doesn’t like big storms, so she’s planning a game night with a sleepover to help keep his mind off the storm.”
“If you need help locking down the hatches, let me know.”
“Will do, but Jasper’s going to help me before he takes off for keg stands and beer pong, and besides, you have your own place to secure.”
