Chapter 131: State Competition
*My coach said that I ran like a girl. I said that if he tried a little harder, he could too. – Mia Hamm*
Just before the swim team loaded on the bus, Coach Jenkins pulled JD off to the side as all the bags were loaded up.
“First, I’m loving the new threads.”
He opened his jacket and struck a GQ pose for her.
“Excellent. After your stint in the Navy, you can be an underwear model.”
JD laughed. “Yeah, Calvin Klein will be knocking down my door.”
Coach laughed. “Is your girl going?”
“Yeah, she’s riding up with her uncle and my mom.”
She nodded. “We were already registered, and she didn't have time to qualify by the time she transferred.”
“I know.” JD smiled at her. “She’ll tell you that she’s not ready to compete again yet.”
“And she has.” The coach agreed as the team began to load up. “You three seniors are together one last time. Try to keep Craig out of trouble.”
Shaking his head, JD laughed at her. “I don’t think *anyone* can keep Craig out of trouble.”
“Truer words have never been spoken.”
The ride to the state competition took long enough to watch *Miracle*, yet again. It was one of Coach’s favorite movies and by the state competition of their senior year, they could quote the movie by heart. When the audio went out, the juniors and seniors each took characters and provided the lines until it was fixed.
“Coach can we watch a different movie on the way home?” Deon called out.
They all knew the routine. *Miracle* on the way to state and *Remember the Titans* on the way home. She’d been the swim coach for six years and for six years, they had been the travel movies.
“I think I might have another one to watch.” She called back as the bus pulled into the hotel parking lot.
“We are the titans!” JD called out and the upperclassmen joined him with the next verse. “Mighty, mighty titans!”
Coach laughed as she stood up and flipped the team off. “You know who your bunkmates are so get your bags and huddle up while I get us checked in. We have team dinner tonight at seven, be in the lobby no later than six thirty. If your parents are joining us, make sure that they know what time to be there. Once you are checked in, you have about two hours free time, keep your phones on you and check in with me before you leave.”
The hotel was located across the parking lot from a mall and the senior boys dropped off their bags in their room before heading over. As they were about halfway across, Reese pulled up in the Impala. Dean hopped out of the car and joined the guys.
“I have O’s black card. I’m supposed to get me an outfit for tonight.” She said as she and JD wrapped an arm around each other. “I think he’s just wanting to get freaky with your mom.”
“How freaky can two old people get?” Deon laughed.
“My mom’s pregnant.” JD said as Dean shrugged. “King owns a sex club.”
Dean looked at the three boys who were looking at her in complete shock.
“Oh, come on. Why do you think we all know about his freaky sex fetishes?” Dean rolled her eyes.
“Just when I think that your uncle can’t surprise me anymore, he does.” JD admitted.
“He’s opening another one in June.” Dean said as they walked into the mall. “Oh, I love that store!”
The three boys followed Dean through the store that she absolutely loved and tried to get her to try on the sexier outfits. She settled on a pair of shimmery black wide-legged slacks and a bright turquoise blue spaghetti strap crop top with a black lace cover up.
She dragged them down to the shoe store and found the absolute most perfect shoes ever. JD eyed the shoes with the red bottoms and wondered what Reese would say about the price. As if she could sense his question, Dean just smiled at her boyfriend.
“I can spend an outrageous amount of money on one thing once a year. This year, it’s going to be these shoes.”
“You better find a prom dress to go with those.” JD said without thinking.
“Prom?” Dean whispered.
“Yeah. I thought about doing a promposal -.”
Dean pressed up on her toes and kissed him. “Only if you want to. But you should probably ask and not just assume.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He replied as both of their phones dinged. They pulled out their phones to see a message from Jolene in the family chat.
*Good luck, JD! Neo and I will be up Sunday for the awards luncheon.*
“Awe, that’s sweet.” Dean grinned. “Your sister is the best.”
“How’s she doing?” Craig asked.
“She has guards again.” JD said.
“Have they heard anything?” Deon asked as Dean paid for the shoes.
“No, but they are both associated with a cartel that the DEA considers small fish.” JD admitted. “I keep getting the feeling that it’s connected to Hank.”
“Any proof of it?” Craig asked.
JD shook his head. “No, it’s just a feeling. Maybe I’m just projecting my fears on him.”
“Someone’s been paying attention in psych.” Deon teased.
“Do you need anything to go under that?” Craig asked Dean as she rejoined them. He looked from the bag that JD held over to the Victoria’s Secret store.
“No.” Dean answered. “I have thongs and I’ll let the girls be free tonight.”
“You’re killing me.” Craig admitted for the first time.
After the team dinner, the three friends were in their room listening to JD toss and turn. Deon groaned in frustration as Craig pulled a pillow over his head. There was a knock on the door and Deon rolled off of the oversized couch and padded to the door.
“I’m sorry.” Dean said in the hallway. “I couldn’t sleep.”
“Neither can JD.” Deon replied, opening the door wider for her to enter.
Craig sat up and looked over to see her entering their room wearing a *Nightmare Before Christmas* tank and short sleep set. She smiled at him as she crawled into the bed that JD was in. He held the covers up for her and then pulled her in close as he covered them both up.
“Seriously, you’re killing me.” Craig grinned at her.
Within ten minutes, the couple was asleep, and the two other friends were shaking their heads in confusion.
“I wonder if he knows how fucking screwed he is.” Deon whispered.
“I don’t think he cares.” Craig said quietly as he settled back down in his bed. “I’m not going to snuggle with you if you want to sleep over here.”
“Yeah, that couch sucks.” Deon said moving over to the empty side of the bed. “Good night, John boy.”
“Shut up, fuckhead.”
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