Gemotions

The coach clapped him on the shoulder, a little too heartily, the sound echoing in the cavernous gymnasium. "Marcus, son, we need you at point guard now. Think you can handle it?" Marcus managed a tight smile, the muscles in his jaw aching. He looked across the court. Kevin, who'd always been the point guard, was already dribbling, a practiced ease in his movements.

His stomach twisted into a knot. He’d poured his heart into honing his skills as a center, the power plays, the rebounding dominance. Years of sweat and sacrifice now felt…undervalued. He watched Kevin, and a strange heat prickled beneath his skin.

He kicked a stray basketball across the floor, the rubber thudding against the polished wood. "Sure, Coach," he finally mumbled, his voice sounding thinner than he intended.