Neil watched as the subs and Tasie ran onto the court, viewed at the sidelines by Wymack and Abby, who wore triumphant smiles at their teams win. Nicky was giving Tasie a piggyback ride, jumping every time she whooped. She threw her head back and laughed at each bump, her arrival only seeming to rile the roaring crowd even more. Dan always called her the unofficial mascot of the Foxes, attending every match and having her own jersey and number. She'd lived with the Foxes fame for more than half of her life and this result made her just as excited as Neil's teammates. Nicky bent down to let her go, giving her fox ear headband a tug before running to Kevin and Aaron. Tasie followed, eyes visibly lighting up when she saw Kevin's small smile, and took a running leap at him. Luckily he was ready, grabbing her small frame and spinning her around. It was strange to see Kevin laughing so freely, especially since Neil knew he could still find a thousand faults about their play tonight, but he always tried to avoid that side of himself around Tasie. When he stopped spinning he said something, green eyes still creasing from his smile. Tasie unlooped her hands from his neck and squished his cheeks together - her version of scolding. Kevin pretended to look down and find her hands, making her laugh as she replied. He knew Riko would be watching this match, their win, and wouldn't stop when the final buzzer went off. Riko would be seeing Kevin celebrating happily with his new family and the thought gave Neil a surge of energy. He hoped he kept watching to see Tasie pull Kevin towards the upperclassman and push him into a group hug. He hoped he kept watching to see Kevin grin and clack sticks with Matt then compliment Dan on her performance. He hoped he saw every moment of joy and triumph and felt sick with anger because a person he thought was his property had found a new home. Neil would sleep happily knowing they'd won more than just a match.
The whole team went back to Wymack's to celebrate, partially because his apartment held the most liquor, and partially because everyone was still buzzing from the match. Surprisingly Andrew remained, if only for the free whisky, and they managed to get through the night without any arguments. Neil felt as if he could play another ten games but they resorted to endless Chinese takeaway and a movie marathon. After Abby and Renee cleared the paper work off, they spent ay least an hour at the dining table, eating and drinking and discussing the highlights of their win. Kevin managed to make a new record for the smallest amount of complaints but he couldn't help himself for a few.
"Save that for tomorrow, you fun-sucker. If you say one more negative thing I'm gonna make you drink juice with Tasie for the rest of the night," Wymack threatened. Neil had no problems with the cranberry juice and viewing from Tasie's loud demeanour, it gave a big enough sugar rush, but Kevin made sure his drink privileges weren't taken away.
For once, the whole team was united and civil and Neil found himself actually enjoying it. Everyone expect Andrew was involved in the conversation, even when it didn't include Exy. Aaron spoke occasionally which Dan seemed to take as a win, listening closely to his opinion and excitedly replying. After a while they moved it through to the living room and took far too long deciding what to watch. Wymack mad mainly action but Tasie wanted a Disney movie and Nicky and Allison insisted on a chic flick. Eventually they settled on a superhero movie that had enough violence, romance and impossibility for it to aid everyone's requirements.
There wasn't enough room to fit all of them on the couches alone, so chairs and beanbags were pulled in and placed haphazardly. Neil sat on a dining table chair next to the main couch, which squeezed Dan, Matt, Renee and Allison on, with Dan sitting more on Matt than the pillow. Wymack and Abby took up the other couch, Kevin was in the armchair with Tasie at his feet snuggled up in a blanket and Aaron and Nicky had the spare seats. Andrew's departure was quiet but Neil spotted Renee and Wymack acknowledging him leave as well, the whisky bottle still in his hand. For him to last this much without conflict was unbelievable but Neil knew he wouldn't let this happen again. Nicky's drunken shouts drowned out Neil's thoughts and distracted him from Andrew, for just a moment.
"Now I'm in your chair does that mean I have the power to order you around?"Nicky asked, spinning wildly in Wymack's desk chair.
"It sure as hell does not, Idiot,"Wymack boomed as Aaron threw half an egg roll at his cousin.
"Shut up, the movie's starting."
By the start of the second film everyone was slowing down and halfway through, Neil noticed at least three quarters of them were asleep. Dan, Matt and Allison were completely shut down, next to a dozing Renee whose eyelids kept drooping. Neil watched as she gave up and drifted off. Nicky was slumped in his big chair, mirroring Aaron. Tasie was curled up against Kevin's legs, fast asleep. Kevin, still in his Fox hoodie, had his hand resting gently on her head and his eyes closed. Abby had her head rested against Wymack's arm, leaving only coach and Neil awake. Wymack gave Neil a look, as if to ask you okay? and when Neil nodded in reply, leant over for the remote and switched the TV off. He closed his eyes too.
There was only one lamp left alight. Neil considered getting up to switch it off and decided for it. With his hand hovering over the switch, he looked over his teammates. They had more names than that, he realised. Teammates, coach, medic, mascot, friends, family. Foxes. He reached over and took Dan's phone from the arm of the couch. He found the camera and took a picture. Dan could put it up on the wall later.
Neil walked back to his seat and closed his eyes.
