The game was tough, but The Plateaus managed to pull off another victory. Sean had finished changing and was heading out of Tromethor stadium when he got the call from his mom. "A what? I've got a younger brother?" Apparently, 18 years ago, Sean's father had slept with the neighbor's wife, and his mother had just found out.
"Well, half-brother, really. There's something else, he's going through a really tough time. His family, you remember them, right? Always fighting, unstable, with the alcoholic parents? His dad started smoking crack again and it's, it's not a good environment for him. Would you consider letting him stay with you, at least for a few months, to see how things go?", his mother had told him.
Sean had actually met the boy before. Scrappy, goofy, and adorable, he would often hang out in the yard and occasionally ask their family for help with things. He hadn't seen him in a few years, but always liked talking with him. He was a bit of a techie and played rugby. Sean knew this because he was friends with the Rugby coach, Devin.
"I'd love to, mom. I always liked him and - you're sure? He's my brother? I mean, I already kind of have the 'big bro' thing going on with him, or did the few times we met" "I'm sure, Sean, we had the tests done and everything. His name is Brody if you don't remember." Sean did, had a soft spot for the kid and always felt bad about him having to grow up with such shit parents - well, one parent. Maybe that was why he liked him so much.
"I've forgiven your father, but we both want to be there for him in a way we haven't." Shit, he couldn't have asked for a better one. Sean was excited, but nervous, knowing kids from broken families could often be more than a handful. He had a great idea, though. He called up Devin and asked him for a favor - did he have a spare uniform Sean could borrow?
Brody didn’t like getting there early, but he hated being late. It gave people time to look at him. Whisper about his living situation. His dad. Whatever had made the rounds this week.
He was still tying his cleats when the field got quiet. Not silent — just... different. The kind of quiet that meant someone unexpected had just walked in.
He looked up.
There was a man walking toward the edge of the pitch, tugging at the hem of a too-tight rugby jersey over his athletic shirt. The number on the back was faded. He looked like he hadn’t worn one in years — not seriously — but he moved like someone who could still play if he had to.
Brody squinted.
It was him.
Sean.
Dressed like he was ready to line up and take a hit.
Devin — the coach — gave Brody a look from the sideline. Just a flick of the chin like “I told you.”
Brody stood slowly.
Sean looked out of place. But only for a second.
Then he jogged forward, into formation with the rest of them like he’d always been there.