CHAPTER 18

I went back to the group, accepting congratulations from Kelly, Jasmin and everyone else. I noticed that Courtney had rejoined the group but she was still with Darren, in fact I noticed they were holding hands until I walked up, when she pulled away quickly. I had just about had enough of this situation, so I decided to attempt to talk to Courtney, try to sort this out. Courtney was holding a conversation with Kelly and from her loud voice and uncontrollable laughter, it appeared that once again she may have had a bit too much to drink. I found it strange that she would drink with her parents so close, she was never a reckless type of person. I moved slowly in her direction, she was still talking to Kelly intently, she never saw me come up behind her.

"Court, can we talk for a second ?", I asked, gently touching her arm.

She whirled around, her eyes foggy, her gaze cutting through me like a knife. I noticed that Darren had become very uncomfortable all of a sudden, this was the closest we had stood up to this point.

"Why ? What's the point of talking? I like to have a good time, you don't.", she spat at me.

Everyone was looking down very subconsciously, this was an extremely awkward moment. I decided to try one more time to reason with Courtney, we had been together for quite some time.

"Courtney, you know why I did what I did. It has nothing to do with having a good time.", I replied.

"Look Brian, I'm trying to have fun and as usual you want to be serious. You will never change, neither will I. Get over it, ok ?", she shot back in a sarcastic tone.

I have to admit, I was stunned that she blew me off so casually. I turned and walked back to where I had been standing next to Jasmin, the crowd was awkwardly silent. It took a few minutes for the group to get back to normal, it was aided by the fact that Courtney and Darren and a few others took a walk toward their secluded drinking area. Jasmin pulled me by the arm away from the others, quietly whispering to me.

"I'm so sorry Brian. What the hell is wrong with her ?", she asked.

"It's a long story, Jasmin. I really don't want to get into it.", I answered.

"Is it because you wouldn't sleep with her ?", she asked quietly.

Well I guess I was the only one who was keeping our disagreement private. If Jasmin knew about it, I was guessing a lot of other people did as well. I really was disappointed in Courtney, I thought I knew her a lot better than this.

"That's part of it I guess.", I replied.

"So she is dumping on you for treating her with respect, I can't figure that out.", she said, shaking her head.

We talked for a few more moments before rejoining the group. By that time, Courtney and Darren had returned, I am guessing with fresh drink in hand. Courtney was now hanging all over him, I am guessing she figured our breakup was official now. I tried to act as casual as I could but the truth is it hurt a lot. I stayed around for a few minutes, then excused myself to go get another Coke. Halfway to the food area, I decided against it, it was time to leave. I made my way to the parking lot, got in my truck and headed home. As I laid in bed that night, I thought about my Father, the advice he had always given me. He was always insistent that a man treat a woman like a lady at all times, no exceptions whatsoever. I thought I had done just that, apparently something had gone wrong.

By the time we started school the following week, the news of what happened had traveled full circle throughout the school. When I got back home Monday night after working out, Ashley brought up the subject during dinner.

"Brian, I'm sure you know there's a lot of talk going around school about you and Courtney. Want to tell me what really happened ?", she asked.

"Not really.", I said.

"Well if what I heard is true and I think it is, you have absolutely nothing to apologize for. Did she really want you to have sex with

her ?", she asked.

This was great. If it wasn't bad enough everyone at school wanted to know what had happened, now it was Ashley's turn. I figured I might as well end it as quickly as I could.

"Yes, I refused. That and the drinking thing was the issue. I guess in some ways she is right. I am boring to be with.", I answered.

"Oh please Brian, because you're not irresponsible and foolish she dumps you ? Most women are looking for exactly the type of guy you are. It's her loss Brian.", she continued.

"I'm ok Ashley, really, just let it go.", I asked.

"I just don't want you to beat yourself up over this. Believe me the right woman will love you for the qualities you have.", she ended.

I helped Ashley clean up after dinner, we watched TV for a while then I went to bed. The rest of the week was pretty much the same, by Friday our breakup was almost old news. High school was like that, everyday was a new day, new gossip was always just around the corner. By the end of the week Courtney and Darren were apparently an established couple as well. I decided to concentrate on selecting a school that I wanted to attend the following year. I had upcoming visits scheduled, life was going to be very busy the next two months.

I quickly settled down into a routine of working out twice a day and going to school. I was back on an eight week cycle of anabolic and HGH, I wanted to be in excellent shape for my visits. I scheduled my first trip to a school in Texas, following up the next week to Alabama. I had a week off before my next trip, that was to a university in Louisiana. Both of my first visits had gone well, although nothing had really stood out at either school. While they both had great facilities for athletes, I more or less came away with the feeling that I was just another athlete they were trying to land, if they did fine, if not they would just move on.

Ashley drove me to the bus stop Thursday night for my last official visit, I would arrive there early in the morning. I had no sooner stepped off of the bus in the terminal when a man came up to me introducing himself as one of the assistant coaches and welcomed me warmly. As we drove toward campus he asked me a lot of questions, all were about me and what I wanted to get out of college. We arrived on campus and ushered me to the athletic compound, a sprawling area which was reserved exclusively for athletes and their training. It was extremely impressive, everyone was very friendly. After spending three days on campus with coaches, players and trainers, there was little doubt in my mind, I would play here for the next four years.

I arrived back home and was back in class on Tuesday morning. I had thirty seven days to commit to one of the three schools, or go against conventional wisdom and choose a school I had not visited.

I took the next month and thought about all three schools carefully and eliminated the school in Alabama from contention. I would either go to Texas or Louisiana, with the latter having the edge at this time. I was being called every day by both schools, each trying to get a leg up on the other.