Bring it on

 Dan was mulling it over. He still wanted to be Jory's friend. After all, he was his old roommate even if it had been a short while. They'd never had any friction except for Rachel who lived across the hall and of course, Jory was across the hall with her these days.

When he tried to talk to him after Jory got back from Florida, Jory gave him the cold shoulder. He might as well have been a robot. He did whatever that Rachel wanted him to do.

"What could of happened?" Of course, he only had Ivy to talk to and he doubted she'd know. She didn't even like Jory, anyway.

"Maybe Rachel told him everything he wanted to know?" She was feeding baby Hope and was in the rocking recliner. Naturally, she was half asleep.

Dan hated the thought that Rachel would have spoke of him. It gave him a bad taste in his mouth as if he might as well go and throw up. Of course, he went to the kitchen to clean something. That's what he did when he wanted to think or maybe forget. But as it was, it was all so pristine. 

"Do you think I have OCD?" He heard himself say aloud. Was he no fun at all? Is that what Ivy thought.

"Jesus, I hope not."

Dan winced hard and made a face of disgust. It gave him a shiver. He didn't want to think about how he actually was. No, this was about Jory. This was about friendship. He needed to know what was shutting him out. Why couldn't his friend give him the time of day? They were still friends, weren't they?

He sighed as he went to check the dryer to see if there were clothes to fold. He'd done that so efficiently earlier, but maybe a sock got away. The dryer was empty. He clenched his jaw. It was as if he needed to go to Jory. He would have to because Jory wasn't coming here.

Finally, he reached for his old basketball in the hall closet. Thankfully, Ivy didn't ask what he was doing. He tapped on Rachel's door (Obviously, he didn't want to believe Jory would actually live there forever.)

Jory opened the door and looked at him straight-lipped. No hello. Nothing.

"Let's shoot some hoops," Dan looked him over as if he hoped it wasn't too late. Not so much for the evening, but for each other.

Jory said nothing but reached for a shirt to wear over his black tee. He said nothing to Rachel nor Dan. They went down to the basketball court near the apartment complex. 

Dan dribbled but pushed the ball off to Jory, who caught it and made a shot. It was good and he handed it off to Dan who then made a shot from a distance and it went in. They warmed up for a bit as if they'd amazed themselves they were still pretty good with a damn basketball even on this September eve that still was a muggy as August.

"I guess..I guess I said some things, I shouldn't have," Dan started. Still nothing from Jory. It was as if he might have this problem of speaking. It was as if he was Rachel's trained beast and he spoke to no one but her. He went on playing with his dribbling tricks and aiming for the goal. 

They played a round or two, one on one. Jory might have been a little shorter than Dan, but he was quick and he could make a layup like a pro. Dan pressed his lips tight. Had they made up? Would they ever talk to each other again? Was there something wrong with Jory? Or was it all Dan's fault?

"Rachel and I got married," Jory finally said. Even then Dan wondered if he only imagined it. Of course, Dan couldn't think to congratulate him. 

Jory made another layup. Dan couldn't stop him. 

"We're having a baby."

His very words stunned Dan. It couldn't be. Was he sure? His brain was yelling, "No, not with Rachel! She's no good for you." And still, Dan's heart was whispering, "Why weren't you the one to get married first? Shouldn't you have married Ivy? You love her, now don't you?"

Dan only let out a breath. He gave Jory a nod. Now he was the one not talking.