Chapter 37

"Jeremy," Kelly beamed as she opened the door wide. She stretched out her hands wide and Jeremy gave her a hug.

"Hello, auntie." He smiled as soon they pulled apart.

Kelly saw June wave from the car. She waved back and June drove away. Jeremy stepped in with his luggage and Kelly locked the door. Landon was just coming out from the kitchen wiping his hands with a rag.

"Hey, uncle," Jeremy called out.

"Hello, champ." Landon offered his hand.

Jeremy accepted his hand in a firm handshake.

"Good to see you again," Landon said.

"Likewise, uncle."

"Your mom just left?"

"Yeah."

"Mandy didn't come along with you?"

"No, uncle. She's helping her parents with some stuff back home."

Landon nodded before a frown appeared on his face. Jeremy stared at him in concern.

"Is everything okay, uncle?" he asked.

"In a way,yes," Landon replied. "At least the fact that we're all back on our feet is. The issue now is Lawrence."

"Is he okay?" Jeremy asked.

"Yeah, but he has been misbehaving of recently," Kelly replied with a sigh.

"That's putting it mildly." Landon frowned towards the stairs. "Been getting into fights in school and throwing angry fits. I don't know whether is teenage hormones or something. But it's getting on our nerves."

"It's okay,uncle." Jeremy placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'll talk to him."

"Please do," Landon sighed and walked towards the living room muttering under his breath. "Damn teenage stage."

Jeremy chuckled, shaking his head as soon as his uncle disappeared out of view.

"He's in his room," Kelly said to Jeremy as she picked up his luggage. "I'll put your things in the guest room."

"Thanks, aunt," Jeremy replied.

The sound of loud thuds reached Jeremy's ear as he approached the door to his cousin's room. As soon as he opened the door, he spotted Lawrence lying on the bed, throwing a basketball against the ceiling. Lawrence looked away from the ceiling and saw him. A smirk appeared on his lips.

"Well, well, well," he said. "Look who came visiting."

"Hey, yourself." Jeremy sat on the bed. "What's this I hear about giving your folks trouble?"

Lawrence groaned and sat up. He tossed the basketball aside and rubbed the back of his neck.

"It's not as if I mean it," he said. "It's just that the lack of anything exciting is really getting to me. I really don't mean to drag my folks into this but it just kind of happened. I feel this kind of pent up energy within me and I need to burn it. I need an adventure. An exhilarating activity. You know, something badass in my life."

"Does that explain your picking fights in school?" Jeremy raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, come on." Lawrence waved a dismissive hand. "My dad tends to misunderstand and blow things way out of proportion. I didn't pick fights in school. I ran into bullies and jerks."

Jeremy nodded as he empathized with his cousin, a certain red headed jock back in his own school coming to mind.

"You know what? I have an idea." Jeremy stood up and picked the basketball. "Let's shoot some few hoops, that should be a start to burn some energy."

"Jeremy, you hate sports," Lawrence deadpanned at him.

"True." Jeremy shrugged. "But that doesn't mean I suck at it."

"That sounds interesting." Lawrence smiled as a challenging glint appeared in his eyes. "You ready for a butt whooping like like last time."

"The way I remembered it, last time it was the other way round." Jeremy smirked as he saw his cousin twitch.

"Whatever." Lawrence stood up. "Let's move."

They left the room and passed the living room where Landon sat watching a program.

"Dad," Lawrence called out and Landon looked away from the TV. "Jeremy and I are heading to the court to shoot some hoops. We'll be back by noon."

"Alright." Landon nodded and faced the TV. "Be back on time for lunch."

Jeremy could see a relief in his uncle's eyes moments before he turned around. Almost as if he was happy not to deal with any more fuss from Lawrence.

As soon as they arrived at the empty court, the temperature was higher as the sun was now at its peak.

"Damn it," Lawrence cursed as he took off his sweatshirt. "This weather is such a bitch. And to think I took the forecast seriously."

"Well, I stopped taking it seriously a long time ago." Jeremy laughed, taking off his shirt as well.

Now bare chested, the two teens went into a one on one tussle. For almost an hour, it seemed like no one was going to tire out. Jeremy was impressed with Lawrence's stamina as the latter admired Jeremy's own resilience. The game ended with Lawrence scoring the win with a two point difference. Their bodies were shining with sweat as they paused to take a breath.

"Damn, cuz." Lawrence tapped Jeremy on his shoulder. "You are really good. Did you practice or something?"

"No," Jeremy laughed. "I just learned by watching it on TV."

"You're pulling my legs." Lawrence stared at him wide-eyed. "How can you be that good just by watching a sport on TV?"

"I guess I just know how to assimilate things fast." Jeremy shrugged.

A wild whooping and cheering alerted the two teens. They turned to the corner and discovered they had an audience. It was about fifteen girls,Selena and Jackie included.

"It's the chosen one!" One of the girls squealed.

"Gosh, he's so hot!" Another one gushed as she fanned herself.

"Well, this is kind of embarrassing." Jeremy went beet red and reached for his shirt, putting it back on.

"Oh, come on!" Selena whined, echoing the crowd's displeasure as Jeremy's muscular features were covered.

"Looks like you've got yourself some fans," Lawrence chuckled.

"I hope most of them know I'm taken." Jeremy laughed along. "And my mate is a badass chick who doesn't share."

"Well, they may back off once they're aware." Lawrence pulled his sweatshirt on. "But Selena is a different matter entirely."

Jeremy stared at the mentioned female who gave him a seductive wink. He shuddered.

"That's a matter for another day," he said and faced his cousin. "Lawrence, you said you needed an adventure. Something exciting, right?"

"Yeah?" Lawrence nodded slowly, trying to see where the conversation was heading.

"Would you settle for a battle?" Jeremy said.

Lawrence noted the seriousness in his cousin's voice and face.

"Jeremy?" he asked. "What is going on?"

"That's part of the reason I came here, Lawrence," Jeremy replied.

"I came to form a pack," he added as his gaze narrowed.