I Woke Up 163 by M.P. Arsent
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I looked around and saw that Dana was close behind me. Shit had Karl called it, and even before we had left campus? Dana had noticed it as well.
"Dennis...."
"Yeah somebody has been talking trash I think and we need to nip it in the bud."
I didn't bother going through the food line right now and Dana the shadow and I went right to where the team was sitting.
"Alright who wants to get it off their chest?"
There was an uncomfortable silence for a bit and finally one of the guys spoke up.
"It's just you and Dana have been spending a lot of time together, and well....."
"With us being gone half the day somebody made comment. I don't suppose anybody remembers who that was?"
Nobody admitted to knowing who had made the first comment.
"Well let me put your minds to rest. There is nothing, I repeat nothing,going on between Dana and I other than relieving the boredom. We went to the bowling alley and the mall for lunch and that is all.
Damn it I thought we had this covered? I've been upfront with you guys from the very beginning. You all know I have a lover,what you might not know is that we are engaged and are going to be married this summer. Why would I go and screw that up? Somebody is playing games with you just like you did to Larry Brown. Get over it."
"Listen to Dennis you guys. He has never lied to us yet and he isn't now. Get your heads straight or we might just as well not even get on the bus in two days."
I didn't feel much like eating at that point but I went through the line and got something anyway. I took a table off by myself. Even the shadow had enough sense to sit a bit away.
It wasn't that I was pissed at the guys. No I needed to think. There was somebody still on campus to spread rumors,which made it fairly likely that Teramedies still had somebody keeping an eye on me and the team. That he was screwing with the teams head seemed to indicate that he wanted us to loose the all states.
I just happened to catch the shadow looking at me and I could see that he had reached the same conclusion. So, what could we do as a counterstrike? Anything that I could think of had to much potential to blowup in our faces. Anything that I could come up with involved telling the team what was going on and that could to easily get back to Andros.
So the only thing to do was to ride it out and hope for the best.
At this point people started leaving the cafeteria. Without a word each of the guys walked past and gave me a pat on the shoulder to show their support for me.
The shadow and I eventually left as well and I went strolling the usual route Karl and I took. I pulled out my phone and called him again.
"You called it Karl. When Dana and I went into supper we got the fishy eye from the team."
"Shit Den,do you think there's still somebody from Andros's crew hanging around there?"
"It is a distinct possibility love, or somebody with too much imaginationa and time on their hands."
"So?"
"Already had a talk with the team and told them to get real, that I'm getting married in a couple of months and why would I take the chance of screwing with things this late in the game? I want to win the damn all states."
"Damn right you are engaged."
"Don't forget to go get measured for your tux."
"I'm waiting on you so we can decide together exactly what we want."
"That may be the third or fourth thing we do when I get home."
"I have no doubt in my mind what the first thing will be lover."
"Damn right. I'm getting ready to go into the dorm love. I'll talk to you tomorrow. Love you."
"Love you more."
When I got up to my room, Dana was just coming out with his suitcase in hand.
"What the hell Dana?"
"There are plenty of rooms up here so I just thought I'd remove the reason for flapping jaws. Matter of fact I might just suggest it to the college next year that they do seperate rooms for everybody if we make it this far again. This isn't on you Dennis."
Which is exactly what it felt like, that Dana, and by extension, the team didn't trust me. Well screw that noise.
"I understand Dana, I think. Sure feels like a vote of no confidence though."
"Bullshit and you know it Dennis. Didn't everyone of the guys give you their silent support not an hour ago? This was my decision and mine alone to keep tongues from wagging, especially as we can't identify those tongues."
"I suppose I can see the sense in that,though it kinda feels like we're giving in to it all."
"Maybe but in the long run I think this is best. Sorry it leaves you with nobody to talk to."
"I'll get over it. It's only for a couple of days."
"And then for the whole meet as well. Those rooms at the Y are all singles."
"Yeah but really, how much time are any of us going to be spending in our rooms except to sleep?"
"I don't intend to spend much time in mine, but not everybody is going to watch the high school competitions."
"Yeah I suppose not. I'll see you at breakfast if not before."
"Count on it."
I went into my room and just flopped on the bed. Now what to do for a couple of hours before crashing? Not a whole hell of a lot. So I surfed a bit, just trying to stay awake until the 11 pm message came through.
It eventually did and I sent mine back and crashed out.
Before I knew it here it was Monday morning. I got my jogging stuff on and went out the door to find the shadow waiting on me. It was out and then the five laps around. It was too early for the breakfast service yet so we went in and showered and then over to the cafeteria.
This morning I was one of the first ones in and when the rest of the team came in they all made it a point to sit with or around me, which kind of made me feel good.
Now it was just another day to kill. I thought about going out to the state park and taking a trail ride,but decided against that. I could always go over to the rec center and practice,or use the weight room for a general work out. What I ended up doing was just basically sitting in the room for a couple of hours before I said the hell with it and went and got the shadow and went down and got in the car and simply went for a drive.
"Any thing you need to talk about Mr Sawyer?"
"No not really. Damn it I don't even know your name."
"Albert McCarthy, but call me Al."
"No not really Al I just needed to get the hell out of the building.
"Yeah I understand that. Hey another week and this should hopefully be over."
"I sure as hell hope so."
"Agent Stimson is keeping a watch on things and if he can prove that Teramedies is trying to manipulate the out come of the all states, we'll nail him to the wall."
"And if he doesn't?"
"We'll keep watching. Teramedies will screw up somewhere eventually."
"Yeah well I just hope I am not there to find out first hand."
It was close to lunchtime by now and we were close to Rons so I headed over there. Al and I had no trouble finding a place to park and we went inside and got a table.
Gladys was soon there to take our order.
"Dennis, didn't expect to still see you around here."
"We're going to he all state gymnastics meet so the team had to stay on campus until we leave."
"Well good luck with that. There isn't a lunch special today so it's the regular menu."
"Then it's the bacon cheeseburger, fries and a vanilla shake."
"Sounds good to me except I'll have coffee."
"Be right back with your drinks."
While we were waiting for our food, I looked up and Paul was coming in and there were several of his frends with him. They took a table while Paul came over.
"Hey Dennis. Just wanted to wish you good luck with the all states."
"Thanks Paul. I see a good part of the old crew is back."
"Yeah you were right. They just needed time to think. Anyways good luck and I'll see you in a couple of months."
"Have a good summer Paul."
Our food was soon brought out and when we finished it was back towards campus. Once back there I headed over to the rec center with Al in tow, and went swimming for a while and then to the whirlpool.
"One thing I can say for this assignment,I think I'm in the best shape I have been for several years."
"Well then I'd say keep it up if you can Al, especially in your line of work."
Showered up we headed over to the cafeteria for our supper. It was off for my walk and a call to Karl.
"How you holding up today love?"
"Went for a drive with the shadow and then for a bit of a swim. The team seems to be behind me again so there's that at least."
"Any ideas about what to do about the eyes?"
"None worth trying to implement. So it's just sit it out for another day on that front."
"Look at the bright side lover. Win, lose, or draw this time next week we'll be togther again."
"The is a silver lining."
"Damn right there is. Everybody is excited for you and the team Den. I know you asked for no big welcome home, but I'm betting if you do win, well there's no avoiding it."
"Probably not. I'll face that if and when."
"Graciously?"
"We'll see. I'm heading inside Karl. Talk to you tomorrow."
"Sleep well lover."
I went up to my room and surfed for a bit again until Karls text came in and I sent mine back.
Tuesday morning routine took over and Al and I did our laps and waited for the breakfast service as I was headed over to the rec center for a light workout.
I worked mainly on my floor and high bar routines today,landing the triple solidly every time.
Swimming and whirlpool and then a walk over to Tonys for lunch. Back to the dorm to make sure I had everything packed for the morning.
Supper and my walk and a brief call to Karl and in for the night.
Wednesday morning and after breakfast we all loaded onto the bus for the four hour drive to the culmination of a good season.