30

Farren leaned his head against the lockers in the changing rooms. There was one quarter to go and they were in the lead, but by a narrow margin.

He had been playing to the best of his ability, however his mind wasn't fully in the game. Seeing Kaden on that pitch made it hard for him to focus on anything much other than what was going to happen between them after the match.

Coach rambled on and on about the game but Farren couldn't focus on anything he was saying, much as he tried. He had more important things to worry about.

His heart was pounding at the thought of only quarter of a game left, pounding both with the nerves of the game itself and of what would happen afterwards.

He clenched his hands together to stop them from shaking, looking around at his teammates and biting his lip nervously. What would they say when they found out about him and Kaden?

Would they care? He knew that more than likely they wouldn't give a shit that he wasn't straight, but their issue could possibly be that he was with Kaden Rivers, a common rival amongst the team.

Then again, if they knew it was love they'd probably go easier on him. Still, he could never be too certain.

The sound of the coach's whistle snapped him out of his thoughts and soon he was heading back to the playing field. The roars from the audience was ringing in his ears, and he was filled with rushes of adrenaline, reminding him of just how much he loved this sport.

He lined out, making unintentional eye contact with Kaden (who looked super hot in those tight pants he had to admit). He felt his stomach flip with nerves but forced himself to ignore it, focusing on the ground below him instead.

A moment later the referee jogged over, taking up his position beside them. Tension filled the air, the crowd pumped with anticipation. The ref blew his whistle, and just like that the game was back on.

Farren threw every last ounce of energy he had into the game. Twelve minutes. Twelve minutes until it would be all over. Twelve minutes until everything would be just beginning. Twelve minutes was too soon.

His eyes trained on Kaden at the other end of the field, and suddenly twelve minutes felt like twelve years. The end of the game couldn't come sooner enough.

Farren put everything he had into winning, and with only seconds left on the clock, he started to feel more anticipation than he did before the game started.

Ten seconds left.

The audience began to chant, and Farren found himself double checking the scoreboard just to be absolutely sure that Jefferson High was in fact on top. Two points wasn't much of a lead, but as the audience's countdown reached three seconds, two points was enough.

And then just like that it was over, and they had won. The whistle blew, and a roar of victory went up amongst the Jefferson players and supporters, as the Redwood boys dropped to a squat in defeat. Farren could hardly believe it. They had won, and if it wasn't for the deafening cheers of the Jefferson supporters he wouldn't have known for certain. It all felt too surreal.

He hugged his teammates, all of them dancing and chanting in a rush of victory. Once the celebrations died down the players of both teams met in the middle of the field to shake hands, coach's orders.

They shook hands with each other, the tension that would have been plausible last year now almost completely dissolved. Maybe the idea of them living together wasn't such a bad one after all.

Farren shook hands with the other team's players, his sweaty helmet discarded on the ground. There was a babble of chatter coming from the parents and supporters who stood around them watching.

Farren momentarily closed his eyes, taking deep shaky breaths. When he opened them he was met with the sight of Jesse giving him an understanding smile and nodding his head encouragingly to where Kaden was stood, looking like a poster boy for hot football players with his hair all disheveled and his hands behind his head.

Farren took a deep breath, heart pounding erratically out of his chest.

He started walking over to Kaden, his stomach turning more and more with each step. Kaden looked up and saw him when he only had about three steps left.

Their eyes met, and it was as if time had frozen. Farren stared at Kaden, trying to read his expression. Kaden himself seemed nervous, most likely worried about this moment, whether it would make them or break them.

One last step and suddenly he was right there, right in front of Karen. They stood facing each other, neither of them saying anything until Kaden broke the silence.

"Congrats." He said softly, but Farren was too focused on how much he wanted this to really comprehend what the other boy had said.

"Thanks." he breathed out, his voice just above a whisper.

Farren could feel the eyes of some of the others watching him, but ignored it.

"How do you feel?" Kaden asked, and the small talk was starting to annoy Farren. He was so overwhelmed with emotion he didn't have time to be making casual conversation, especially with Kaden.

"Tired." He said, flicking his eyes down to Kaden's lips.

"From the game?" Kaden asked.

"No." Farren said, his voice dropping even lower.

A flash of surprise crossed Kaden's face, and the next time he spoke his voice too was lower.

"From what then?" He asked hoarsely, stepping even closer to Farren.

Farren said nothing for a moment, gazing into those perfect blue eyes. His decision was made, and it probably had been since the first moment they spoke.

"I'm tired of playing the straight game." Farren said, cupping Kaden's neck and pulling him in.

XXXXX

Farren Milton truly was full of surprises.

Kaden was shocked for a split second, before a grin broke out on his face. Then they were kissing, and all he could feel was exhilaration. Here they were, in the middle of the field with everyone's eyes trained on them, kissing.

Farren ran his hands through the hair on the nape of Kaden's neck, and Kaden wrapped his hands around Farren's waist, pulling him impossibly closer. Kaden's heart was pounding, the feel of Farren's lips on his own had to be the best feeling in the world.

When they finally pulled away from the kiss, Farren opened his eyes to find Kaden grinning at him. They kept their arms around one other, just smiling stupidly at each other.

With Farren here with him and his parents coming to support him from the bleachers, Kaden didn't even feel as though he had lost the game.

"How did that feel?" Asked Kaden, ignoring all the stares and whispers they were receiving.

"Average." Farren joked, not taking his eyes off Kaden. He didn't even care about what everyone watching them was thinking, in this moment all he cared about was Kaden.

"Prick." Kaden retorted, letting out a small laugh.

"Loser." Farren replied.

"Closet case." Kaden said with a laugh.

"Not anymore." Farren said, indicating with his head towards the crowd watching them.

"Once again your observation skills astound me."

"Whatever, we won the game."

"Really? I hadn't quite noticed." Kaden replied with dry sarcasm.

Farren let out a breathy laugh, before becoming silent.

"Kaden?" He said, and Kaden could hear the nervousness in his voice.

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

Kaden felt his breath hitch in his throat, and he could have sworn his heart stopped beating.

He had lost his ability to speak, until the weight of what Farren just said truly resonated with him. Farren loved him. He, Kaden Rivers, was loved by Farren Milton.

"Farren?" He replied, not realising that he had made the decision to speak.

"Yeah?" Farren replied, biting his lip nervously and looking up and Kaden through his eyelashes.

"I love you too."

They grinned at one another, and Farren gave him a short peck on the lips before pulling him in for a warm hug.

Kaden closed his eyes, burying his face in the crook of his boyfriend's neck.

** 2 Months Later **

Kaden sat on the hood of Farren's car waiting for him to finish up practice so they could hit the mall to finish up their Christmas shopping.

He scrolled through his phone, not focusing on his surroundings. It was that reason exactly that he didn't notice Farren sneaking up beside him until he was grabbed from the side.

He let out a yelp, turning to give a laughing Farren a thump on the arm. "You scared me you prick!" He exclaimed, putting a hand over his pounding heart to illustrate his point.

Farren just laughed harder, and Kaden couldn't stop himself from letting out a small smile. Farren looked good like this, all carefree and open. The closet did not do him any good, and being out was really bringing his mood up (not to mention improving his sleeping hours).

Though they were no longer roommates, they were with each other so often that they might as well be. But with Kaden's parents back in his life in a major way, he was learning the importance of having more than one strong relationship in his life.

Farren finally calmed down, until his laugh was no more than a chuckle. "You should have seen yourself man, total freak out."

"Oh fuck off Farren." Kaden retorted, fighting back a laugh.

"You really want me to go?" Farren teased seductively, getting all up close and personal with Kaden.

"Yup." Kaden replied, popping the P.

Farren pouted and went to walk away, but he had scarcely gone one step when Kaden reached out, grabbing him by the material of his shirt.

He pulled him in and their lips met in a slow, lazy kiss. They kissed for a while but Kaden broke it off before it went too far. "Come one, the shops will be closed if we don't get going."

Farren whined with disapproval but obliged anyway, throwing his training gear into the back seat and sitting into the front beside Kaden.

"Who do you have left to buy for?" Farren asked, plonking his feet up on the dashboard.

Kaden leaned over and pulled his feet back down before answering. "Just my parents and Rowan." He replied, pulling out of the school.

"Everything still going as good with your parents?" Farren asked, looking over at his boyfriend curiously.

"Great, actually." Kaden admitted with a smile. "I mean, it'll take a while for things to be fully right between us, but they understand that and they try their best."

"Good man, I'm happy for you. Really bro." Farren said, smiling over at Kaden.

"Ew Farren, I told you not to call me bro." Kaden said, scrunching up his nose in distaste.

Farren just let out a laugh, leaning back in the seat and closing his eyes. Every single day he asked himself how he got so lucky.

"Kade?" He said, smiling lazily.

"Mhmm?" Kaden responded, not taking his eyes off the road.

"I love you." Farren said, turning to his boyfriend and smiling goofily.

"I know," Kaden chuckled.

"That's all you have to say?" Farren said with a pout.

"Yup," Kaden smirked.

"Kadennn." Whined Farren, pushing him lightly on the arm.

"Fine, I love you too. Happy?" He said, smiling a little.

"Very much," Farren said smugly.

"God, you're such a cringey romantic." Kaden said with a laugh.

"Whatever, you love it."

"No, I love you."

"Now who's being the cringey romantic?" Farren said with a smug smirk.

"Shut up Milton."

XXXXX

OH MY GOD WE ARE FINISHED!!!!

Last ever Question Of The Chapter (dun dun dunnn); How cute are Farry and Kaden?

Aotc; Too goddamn cute ;)

Love y'all!! Xx VCF :)

Xxx

-A