"Let's go boys!" Robbie yells jumping onto Jeremy's back. Jeremy stumbles but holds the Robbie up as he grins like a child on Christmas. Everyone is pumped about our win against Boston College. This is our last home game for a couple of weeks and we are happy we are here to celebrate it. Partying on a win is always a plus. Girls come like it's nothing when we win or lose but it's always better on a win.

And I am definitely going to need a distraction from my parents being here.

"I can't wait to celebrate," Trey says shoving me. I laugh a little shaking my head at him. I need to get hammered tonight. After this dinner with my parents, I am really going to need to blackour. I know my dad is just going to ask me about the NBA or why my stats aren't better and blah blah.

"Eight shots each for our eight and O streak!" Braden says jumping up and down.

"Oh absolutely. Eight shots and then some," I say stripping my sweaty jersey off of my shoulders. I toss it into the locker before grabbing a towel to shower. We are on a winning streak and everyone is hungry for more. Including me. I want to be undefeated this season.

We need to be.

"Did you buy more beer?" Braden asks from beside me. Tonight we are hosting a party at our house and we expect tons of fucking people tonight. It's always a bitch having parties and usually Jeremy and I never let Trey, Robbie and Braden do it. But I agreed this one time that we could. It was three against two.

"Nah, you guys have to on your way back and move the couch to the basement. No freshman girl is puking on that shit, again," I tell him strictly. My parents just had to do this stupid dinner the one time we host a party. Braden rolls his eyes at me but nods his head.

"Where the fuck are you going?" he asks me grabbing his water bottle. I hadn't told Braden because he has been fucking MIA this week. Plus, Braden and I aren't close enough to go into the topic.

"Parents are here." I keep it at that and head to the showers. I try to keep my parents out of my head during the game but every wrong move and little fuck ups I know my dad would be on my ass. I tried to never make one and keep my father out of my head. He's just never proud of what I have to offer him and it's fucking infuriating.

I take as long as I possibly can in the locker room just so I have a shorter time with my parents. I made it clear to them this dinner is a eat and go type of thing. I have shit to do and alcohol to drink. I put on my dress shirt and pants but decide against the tie. I sling my bag over my shoulder and head at the doors. Shooting a nod at the remaining players in the room.

"Fletcher," Coach nods his head at me. Talking to one of the student interviewers. I offer him a nod and walk out of the locker room. The hallway is busy with parents, friends, and girlfriends. I side step Lenna and Kyle who are full on making out. I spot my parents like a sore thumb. My mom is looking over the crowd eagerly and my dad stands there with a blank look on his face. His tall frame is the only thing I got from him while my dark eyes and hair are all from my mom.

I take a breath before heading over to them. My mom's eyes light up when she sees me making her way to me.

"Honey! You played amazing today," she cheers wrapping her arms around me. I hug her with my free arm and enjoy the mom smell she carries. My mom always smells like fresh baked cookies but I think that's from all the baking she does.

"Thanks, Mom," I say pulling away from her. My dad gives me a nod while my mom smiles brightly at me. I nod back at him and try to focus on my mom.

"Cody wished he could be here but you know Ashley and him are always doing something," my mom says. I nod my head in understanding. My older brother Cody, is happily married to Ashley who is amazing and have a daughter, Cora, my nephew. It's no wonder why Cody didn't come. He hates my father more than I do and that's saying something.

"So, where to for dinner? I know you are busy tonight celebrating your win and all. Andrew?" she says turning to face my dad. He has pushed off the wall and has become taller. My mom is only 5' while my dad stands at 6'4. A trait I am so happy I got. The only thing I am thankful for from him.

"Doesn't matter to me. Asher knows the places around here," he says looking uninterested in the conversation.

"Connor's is fine, I brought my car so I'll meet you guys there," I say nodding towards the exit. My mom nods her head eagerly as we part ways and I head to my car. My last moments of peace before shit hits the fan. I drive as slow as possible to Connor's. It's a small restaurant at the edge of campus. Usually people bring girls on dates here and family because it's secluded. It also gives off the vibes of being at home. It's not my favorite place to go but it'll do. Plus, no one will be there especially after the game. They will be at sports bars or just the bar. Drinking.

Which I wish I was doing right now.

I park stepping out of my car and take a deep breath. I can get this over with in no time. I head into the restaurant and see they are already seated. I try to ignore the way my mom and dad just don't look right together and keep a poker face. I sit down as my mom starts grilling me about school, my life, girls, and whatever else. My dad stays oddly quiet through the whole thing. Staying still ordering his food with a here and there comment but he's quiet.

Quiet until we get the check. He studies it before sliding his card into the black book and the closes it looking at me.

Fuck.

"Has the NBA reached out to you yet?" I grip the white table cloth covering the table at the question. I knew it was coming up. I don't know why he bothered easing into it. He knew what he was doing and I don't know why I fell for it.

"Maybe we shouldn't bring that up right now," my mom comments knowing how touchy the subject is for me.

"Well he won't tell us much about basketball over the phone," my dad comments pointedly. I shoot him a glare looking for the nearest exit. I need it now or I might literally freak the fuck out.

"There's a reason for that," I bite out. I shove down the thoughts of my older brother and resist the urge to punch him in the throat. He rolls his eyes at me adjusting his tie.

"And what would that be other than your ignorance? The offer will not stand as long as you think it will," he states knowing absolutely about it. He wasn't even offered when he played college ball. So it makes no god damn sense why he pushes my brother and I so hard. Well, pushed my brother so hard.

"Ignorance? I have ignorance. Okay, Dad," I spit out at him shoving my chair back. "I think I have had enough of this conversation."

"No. You don't get to leave because you are just afraid of not getting drafted. Lord knows Kappalac has better stats then you do," he digs deep. Now I am out of my seat and have earned multiple stares from other people but I don't give a fuck. He is pushing me just like he did with Cody and it's not fucking happening.

"This is exactly why Cody blew out his knee junior year. You think you fucking know when you don't and the only fucking reason you want me to go to the NBA because it looks good for you. Now I have other places to be then having this bullshit conversation with you."

With that I shove my chair into the table and walk out of Conner's. I'm fuming when I get into my car and start the engine. My hand is gripping the wheel so hard my knuckles turn white. I need to fucking punch something anything. I gas it out of the parking lot and to my house. Where a raging party is happening and the loads of alcohol is the only thing to forget about my dad. All he does is push to the point where my older brother Cody was said to be number one NBA draft pick. Only to have that ripped away from him last game of the season when he blew out his knee because my dad said his stats needed to be even higher to clench the spot. The spot was already clenched when he played for UCLA as a freshman but it wasn't good enough.

Nothing fucking is.

Cody was pissed, upset and hell I was. I was at the game as a junior in high school. Seeing my brother lose his dreams with a snap of leg was fucked. It still is fucked. He still is to this day about everything that had happened.

I pull into the driveway and thank god they blocked it off with our many stolen traffic cones. Maybe Robbie and Braden do listen to us. I furiously shove the cones out of the way ignoring the many shouts to me. I need shots before I respond to anyone or I might deck them.

I lock my car and slide my keys into my pocket of my pants. I'm still dressed in our game day wear minus the jacket and tie. Coach forces us to the dress nicely and everyone hates it. The door is wide open and people scatter around the porch drinking and playing pong. The house across the street doesn't look much different from ours since they too throw down a lot.

I shove my way into the house and spot Braden holding a bottle of Jack on top of a table. I roll my eyes at him but head over to him. I nod in appreciation at the good games and whatever the hell else is thrown at me. I'm too in my head to even bask in the glory of tonight. I hop up onto the table quickly and grab the bottle.

"What the fu-" Braden is about to say but stops when he sees me. "Fletcher! Welcome, Bro!"

I ignore him and chug from the bottle. Allowing the burn to sooth my stress and sore body. Fuck my dad. I give him the bottle back before hopping off of the table. I start making my way to the kitchen and pause.

I spot her before she even looks at me. Her normally wavy hair is pin straight and instead of dark colors against her tanned skin, a bright pink backless top is hanging off of her slim body. Her peaked nipples are slightly noticeable underneath the thin silky material of her shirt. That alone gives me semi and I know she is exactly what I need tonight. To get my mind off of my douchebag father and everything that comes with him.

I am about head over to her but a long skinny arm stops me. I glance over at the person and groan. Kristen bats her eyelashes at me and I can most definitely state that I will not be bringing her to my room tonight. That frilly thing of a top she is wearing does nothing for her.

"Kristen," I state giving her a curt nod. I take a step back from her and try to look for Carter because maybe she can save me from Kristen. Her bright pink top makes her stick out and I instantly spot her perched on top of the counter in our kitchen. She's holding a water bottle filled with clear liquid that is no doubt vodka and in the other a tall boy of White Claw. I see Robbie and Jeremy there talking to her friends.

"Good game today, I saw you shoot that three," Kristen says taking a step in my direction. I look away from the kitchen and back to Kristen. I usually take these compliments from girls and eat them up. But the fact that Kristen probably only knows what a three pointier is and nothing else pisses me off.

"I shot multiple threes," I state bluntly stepping around her. I earn a glare as I head off towards the kitchen. I straight up could not want anything from Kristen Davidson anymore. I shouldn't have been hooking up with her constantly in the first place. That was my first mistake.

I don't glance back at Kristen instead I keep my eyes on the brown haired girl in the light pink top.