Two-Sided: Chapter II

"

Oh my god, Mara. I can't believe they did that. It was so awesome." Shannon, the keeper said once we made it back to the locker room.
"Ugh." I groaned for the hundredth time tonight since it happened. No one seemed to care that we had just crushed Michigan twelve to two. But it was kind of expected. I mean, it was Michigan.
Tyler, Matt, and my brothers had thoroughly embarrassed me after scoring a goal. They had painted one letter each on their stomachs to spell Ohio, and on their backs to spell Mara. This ensued a chant and laughter throughout the stadium.
"I thought I would die!" And I could feel the flush creeping up my neck. Damn my fair skin. All my teammates began laughing, again.
Shannon said, "Tyler strikes again."
"Yeah, and I'm going to kill him."
Casey overheard us and chimed in. "I didn't realize Tyler was still in such good shape. I mean, didn't he quit playing soccer competitively?" She had a point. I hadn’t really noticed but he hadn’t been affected by college life’s bad eating habits, stress, and lack of exercise. But Matt… He was starting to get a slight paunch, she had to admit, where Tyler still had his defined chest that led to washboard abs and a v to his…
"Only at the college level. He still plays with an indoor league during the winter and and intramural league in the summer." I said pulling myself out of my thoughts of where that v on Tyler’s hips led to.
Since when do I think of Tyler like this?
"That's right. You play together. Wow, you just can't stop even in the off season." Casey said.
“Hey, I play with them.” Shannon said. “They need someone who can guard a goal.”
Casey whispered in Mara's ear "Or is it that you want to spend more time with Tyler and his perfect body?” ignoring Shannon and causing me to flush an even deeper shade of red.
"Gross!" I exclaimed. "Tyler has been my best friend and enemy since I was ten. He's more like another brother." Then why am I having unbrotherly thoughts about him?
"Speaking of brothers, I saw Matt in the stands." Shannon said. "That's who Mara has the hots for. Bet you were glad to see him without a shirt spelling your name." She wiggled her eyebrows conspiratorially. Usually anything having to do with Matt would make me turn crimson immediately, but not today, for some reason. Odd.
I threw my sweat-soaked jersey in Shannon's face. "I'm going to shower." I said as I stalked off and heard Shannon yell "nasty!" After me.
Casey followed behind and took the stall next to me. "So, are you meeting Tyler after this?"
"Yeah, at Thurman's."
"Ooh, for a date?"
"No. Matt and my brother's will be there too. And I think Tyler's roommate, Adam, will be there."
"Any other girls?"
"Adam might bring a girl. And Shannon might join us."
"Then do you mind if I tag along?"
"Why would I mind? I generally don't get along with girls other than you guys anyway."
"Cool. Because I want to get to know Tyler, if you don't mind."
Here's her real motive. I thought. It wasn't the first time a teammate used me to get closer to Tyler. They usually asked permission thinking I had some kind of claim, but I didn't. I mean, he's Tyler! Just a big goof who's never serious. About anything. His relationships don't even last more than six months usually, if they lasted a week. I felt like Casey was just setting herself up and then I would have to pick up the pieces. But if I told her so, she would think I was actually trying to date Tyler.
I turned off the shower and wrung out my hair and wrapped the towel around me and walked back to my locker. Casey wasn't far behind.
"So I'll just meet you there?" She asked as I pulled my change of clothes out.
It was November in Ohio, so I had a pair of thick, fleece lined leggings, a long sleeve under shirt, a flannel, and my university hoodie. I was just putting on my boots when my phone buzzed with a message. It was Tyler.
You done yet? I'm freezing my nuts off out here.
You have nuts? And here I thought you were my best girlfriend.
Ha-ha. I'm ready to go get that Mani pedi with you tomorrow.
"Ugh. Even I don't want to do that." I answered him when I got outside.
Tyler opened the back door of his double cab F150. With a grand waving of his arm and a bow he said "My lady Mara, for your gallant victory over the wolverines, your humble servants, Matt and Tyler James will escort you to a feast held in your honor. Your chariot awaits!"
Matt snorted from the driver’s seat "I'll drive so you two kids can celebrate." He gave that half smile that usually set my heart a flutter. But it didn’t have the same effect.
Ouch. Matt always had a way of reminding me that he only thought of me as a little kid. He may love me like a sister but I would always wish for more. I sighed and gave a small curtsey.
"My sincere gratitude, gentlemen. However, there was no gallantry in my conquest due to the fact that Michigan sucks!" I yelled the last part as loud as I could. There were still a lot of people in the parking lot and an ensuing chant of "o-h" "i-o" erupted.
I looked over at Matt and Tyler, both laughing along with me as we climbed into the truck and thought I could live like this with them forever.