by Carol Lynne
“No, go ahead,” he said after a brief pause. He took one last look at Bobby’s limp dick and stepped out of the doorway. “I’ll be in my office when you’re done,” he said, closing the curtain.
The moment he heard Chet’s footsteps on the tile, Bobby dropped to the floor. He worked his hands over his swelling knee and willed it to return to normal as once again, the tears began to slide down his face. Was he being unfair by taking a scholarship that could’ve gone to a talented incoming freshman? Bobby knew the only reason he’d received the late scholarship was because of his name. There was no doubt the fund had been scraped empty to give him the money he needed.
With the compounding guilt, Bobby began to wonder if a degree was worth it. What kind of social worker would he be after the deceit he’d resorted to in order to become one in the first place.
* * * *
Chet walked into his office and shut the door. It was something he rarely did out of respect for his staff and players, but after Bobby’s reaction to him in the shower, it was something he desperately needed. He’d finally taken Bobby into his bed and opened his heart and mind to the possibility of something more. Could it be possible that after only a few days together Bobby was already losing interest? Troubling memories of his mom drifted to the forefront.
A knock on the door brought him out of his thoughts. “Who is it?”
“The big bad wolf,” Julian replied. Chet could imagine his best friend rolling his eyes as he said it.
“Come in.”
Julian stepped into the office and made a big production out of shutting it. “Where’s your ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign?”
“Fuck off.” Chet usually enjoyed Julian’s sense of humour, but he wasn’t in the mood. “What do you need?”
“A million bucks and a blow job in the next five minutes. What do you need?”
Chet laid his palms flat on his desk and leant forward. “Not today, Julian.”
Julian held up his hands. “Fine. Did you ask Bobby Ray about dinner?”
“Yeah, but he wants to ask Dane.”
“So much for the double date idea.”
Chet stared out the window for several moments. “Do you think it’s possible he’s losing interest?”
Julian jumped out of the chair like his ass was on fire. “Do I look like a damn woman?” He shook his head and headed for the door. “When you need to know how to cure jock itch or something else manly, give me a call, but leave me the hell out of your chick shit.”
Julian opened the door and walked through, but before he shut it, he poked his head back in and smiled. “No way is he tired of you. The guy thinks you walk on water for fuck sake. Now grab your balls and let’s go have dinner.”
Despite his earlier annoyance with Julian, Chet appreciated the way Julian could change his mood within minutes. He balled up a piece of paper and threw it at his friend. “Get the fuck out, you jackass.”
After Julian left, Chet opened his desk drawer and pulled out a small picture of Bobby that he’d cut out of a Sports Illustrated article. It didn’t matter how many times he looked at the picture it always made him smile. Unlike the majority of the pictures of Bobby Ray out there, this one had been taken back home in Arkansas. In it Bobby held up a snapping turtle who’d stolen his bait while fishing. The goofy expression on Bobby’s face was priceless and one that Chet never tired of.
“I’m ready,” Bobby said, sticking his head in the door.
“Be right there.” Chet put the framed picture back in his drawer. He hoped to one day see that expression in person instead of in a magazine photo.
* * * *
“Dane’s here,” Bobby announced, getting up from the table to go meet his roommate.
Chet watched Bobby cross the restaurant. He stopped in front of his friend and the two men talked for a brief moment before both disappearing down the hallway towards the restroom.
“What, they’re so close all the sudden they have to hold hands while they pee?” Julian asked around a chuckle.
Uneasy, Chet rose from his chair. “I’ll be right back.”
As he made his way to the restroom, the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. Dane jumped the moment Chet pushed open the door.
“Hey,” Dane greeted. “We’ll be out in a minute.”
Chet looked past Dane to the closed stall door. He nudged Dane out of the way and knocked on the cold painted metal. “Everything okay?”
“Uhhh, yeah, I’m almost done.”
Through the slight crack in the door, Chet could see Bobby wasn’t even sitting on the toilet. Chet grabbed the top of the door and hoisted himself up until he could see over the stall. With his pants around his ankles, Bobby was in the middle of wrapping a cold pack around his knee. “Open the door.”
Bobby glanced up at Chet and secured the Velcro firmly in place. “Hang on. Let me pull my jeans up.”
Chet lowered himself to the floor and turned to Dane. “Would you mind joining the others while I have a word with Bobby?”
Dane, who’d been steadily working on biting his thumbnail off, glanced at the closed stall door. “Bobby?”
“It’s okay,” Bobby said, opening the door. He patted Dane on the shoulder and smiled. “Thanks for your help, but I’ve got it from here.”
“You sure?” Dane asked.
“Yeah.”
Although part of the conspiracy to deceive him, Chet had to give Dane points for loyalty. The two men had only known each other a few days and already they seemed like best friends.
“Don’t be mad at Dane,” Bobby started.
“I’m not.” Chet leaned his back against the door and crossed his arms over his chest. “How bad are you hurtin’?”
Bobby bit his bottom lip and had the decency to look guilty. “Pretty bad, but I’m sure it’s just because it’s been a while since I’ve worked out like I did today.”
Chet’s biggest fear had come to fruition. Caught between being a coach and being a lover, he warred with himself on what to do. It was the first real test of their new relationship and he wanted to get it right. “Why don’t we go back to my house? I’ll help you ice it down and we can talk.”
“Are you mad?” Bobby asked.
“Some, but more than anything, I’m hurt that you went to Dane for help instead of coming to me.” Bobby opened his mouth to protest, but Chet held his hand up. “I didn’t say I don’t understand why you did it, but maybe that’s something else we should talk about.”
Chet opened the door and wrapped a supportive arm around Bobby’s waist. “By the way, you’re going to have to deal with Julian. He won’t be happy you pushed yourself so hard.”
“I know.”
“Do you? Because you haven’t seen Julian mad. Believe me, it’s not pretty.”
“Just get me out of here, and I promise to deal with Julian tomorrow.”
Once back at the table, Chet opened his wallet and signalled for the waitress. “Can we get these two plates put in to-go containers?”
After the waitress accepted Chet’s money and took away the plates of food, Chet addressed Julian. “I think Bobby over did it today. I’m going to take him home and ice him down.”
Julian narrowed his eyes and stared straight at Bobby. “Just sore or something worse?”
“Just sore, I think,” Bobby said. “I’ll be back in the training room in the morning, don’t worry.”
“Sorry about dinner,” Bobby told Dane.
“It’s okay. Will you be home tonight?” Dane asked.
“No,” Chet answered.
Bobby elbowed Chet in the ribs. “I can answer a simple question for myself,” he reminded Chet. “I’ll catch up with you sometime tomorrow,” he told Dane.
Chet took the takeout containers from the waitress and passed her back a tip. “Thanks.”
“Call me in the morning if you’re too sore to work out,” Julian instructed.
“I won’t be,” Bobby threw over his shoulder as they left the rest
aurant.
“You won’t be sore? Or you’ll work out regardless?” Chet asked, helping Bobby into the SUV.
“I’ll work out regardless. I’ve got a coach who’ll be on my ass if I’m not in shape for practice on Thursday.”
“And a boyfriend who’ll make sure you don’t do anything to cause serious damage to yourself.” Chet was pleased with himself after that remark. Yeah, he could do this boyfriend-coach thing after all.
* * * *
Dane agreed to go with Bobby to BK House the following day after his workout. “Looks like you’re still favouring your left leg,” Dane said as he got out of his small silver Mercedes SLK.
“A little. Julian was pissed because of yesterday, so he got even today.”
“He worked you that hard even though you were already sore?”
“No, just the opposite. He made me sit in an ice bath for an hour. I think I’ve lost all feeling from the waist down.” Bobby walked into BK House like Locky had instructed. “You’ve been here before, right?”
Dane grinned. “I lived here for two years, but found it hard to study.”
“Too noisy?” Bobby asked, heading towards the common room.
“No, too many people.” Dane ducked his head. “I told you, I’m not comfortable around people.”
Bobby wrapped his arm around Dane’s neck and pulled him in to rub the top of his head. “I think you’re great.”
“I think you’re pretty great, too,” Dane mumbled, pushing Bobby away.
There were only two people in the large room, one playing pool and the other in front of the large television mounted on the wall.
“Is that Scatterbug Triple Threat?” Dane asked.
The guy playing looked up in surprise. “Yeah. It’s not even in the stores yet. Mr Bianchi brought it over earlier. Wanna play?”
Dane looked at Bobby. “You mind?”
Bobby shoved Dane towards the couch. “Go play your stupid game, geek boy.”
“You only say that because you’ve never played.”
“Neither have you,” Bobby fired back.
“You’re right, but I’m about to.” Dane jumped onto the couch with more enthusiasm than Bobby had seen from him outside of having his nose buried in that damn book he carried around all the time. Go Dane.
Bobby decided to introduce himself to the cute blond at the pool table. “Hey,” he greeted. “I’m…”
“Bobby Ray Sikes,” the guy finished for him. “I’m a big fan.” The kid moved his pool stick to his left hand and stuck out his right. “I’m Chase Hughs, freshman quarterback from Cattle Valley, Wyoming.”
“Good to meet you.” Bobby was flattered the freshman player knew who he was. “Care to play a game?”
Chase’s eyes opened wide. “You want to play with me?”
“I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t.”
Chase looked up at the large digital clock on the wall. “I’d love to, but it’ll have to be a short one. I’m due at work in an hour.”
“Work?”
“Yeah. Mr Bianchi gave me a full-time job cleaning offices after hours. It’ll work perfectly once practice starts because as long as I get my work done before the place opens in the morning, I can pretty much set my own hours.”
In the three years he’d played football at college level, Bobby had never heard of a player having a full-time job. “You on scholarship?”
“Partial. My tuition and part of my dorm fees are covered, but I still have to come up with money for books, food and…” Chase held his hands up and gestured around the room. “It’s worth it though. I can’t imagine living in the regular dorms.”
“Take it from me. They suck.” Bobby grabbed the rack off the peg on the wall and set up the table.
He spent the next thirty minutes getting his ass beat by Chase before the younger man had to quit to go to work. “Sorry, maybe next time we can play two out of three or something,” Chase said on his way out of the door.
Bobby stared in the eighteen-year-old’s direction long after he’d disappeared from sight. Chase had talked nonstop about his love of the game, and how excited he was to play for Coach Nelson and Coach Sloan. Bobby had hated to break it to the kid that Justin Nelson only helped with the team when he wasn’t coaching the junior high kids.
Chase had laughed and simply said, “Duh. I’ve read everything written about Coach Nelson, but just the chance to have him give me a few tips here and there is worth it. And getting a scholarship was the only way it could happen.”
“I hear ya,” Bobby had said. “I’m a scholarship kid, too.”
Bobby turned away from the door and rubbed his chest. Chase had the next four years in front of him. Maybe, if he was lucky, he’d get a full ride next year. Surely a guy of eighteen could survive on only a few hours of sleep a day, right? Yet another stone of guilt landed in Bobby’s gut.
Chapter Five
Bobby went to the practice field early to watch the incoming freshmen go through drills before the rest of the team took the field. He’d been ordered to sit the first couple of practices out until Julian and Chet were confident his knee could handle the normal drills the team was put through.
He’d overheard Chet discussing the talented crop of players with Coach Nelson the previous day and wanted to see for himself how good they really were. It seemed Coach Nelson was more than just a nice guy. He was known around the conference as the Star Recruiter because he seemed to get the pick of the litter every year.
As Bobby watched the practice, his gaze landed on Chase Hughs, the quarterback he’d met a few days earlier. In the five minutes Bobby observed the enthusiastic player, Chase yawned three times. No wonder. Between conditioning, a full-time job and trying to adjust to life away from home, Chase had to be dead on his feet.
On the scooter he’d become known for, Coach Nelson drove to where Chase was tossing the ball with another player. Bobby smiled at the expression on Chase’s face as Coach Nelson gave him a few tips. There was something in Chase that made Bobby uncomfortable and it suddenly dawned on him what it was. Chase not only played football, he seemed to live for it, love it. Bobby wouldn’t be surprised if Chase ran through plays in his sleep. Have I ever felt like that?
He knew the answer as soon as he’d asked himself the question. No. He’d always enjoyed the game more because he seemed to take to it naturally than because he loved the game itself. His childhood hadn’t been like most kids his age. Never had he been allowed to sit in front of the television and watch cartoons all day. If he didn’t have chores to do, he was expected to be out of the house finding something that involved a ball to occupy his time.
It wasn’t until he was in high school that he’d played his first video game at a friend’s house. The only thing Bobby had been allowed to do that didn’t involve a ball was fishing in the family pond. He’d loved his dad, but there were times he’d felt he was living his life for his dad rather than for himself.
Earl Sikes had been a star football player in high school, and he was bound and determined that his only child would be even better. His dream for Bobby Ray was to play his way through college, something Earl had never been quite good enough to do.
Watching Chase made Bobby feel like a fake. He spotted the more experienced players jogging towards the practice field and tried to push Chase from his mind.
After an hour of watching last year’s team practice, Bobby couldn’t take anymore. The junior running back, Colson Farley, was good—damn good. Bobby wondered what Colson thought of a senior dropping in to take his position. He stood and tried to sneak away without garnering Chet’s attention. He managed to evade Chet’s notice, but not Julian’s.
“Bobby Ray, wait up,” Julian called, running towards him.
Shit. Bobby stopped and shielded his eyes against the bright afternoon sun. “Hey.”
Julian slowed to a stop when he reached Bobby. “Is everything okay? You’re not hurtin’ are you?”
Actually, he felt like
he was dying, but he couldn’t tell Julian that. “Just thirsty. Thought I’d go in for a bottle of water.”
Julian’s eyebrows drew together. “There’s water right down there on the field.”
“Yeah, for the players. I don’t think I qualify today.” Bobby turned and started moving towards the safety of the locker room.
“Why don’t you soak your knee in the tub while you’re in there,” Julian suggested.
Bobby lifted his hand in acknowledgement and continued walking, trying his best not to limp. Once he stepped into the air conditioned facility he grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge in the exercise room. As he drank, he stared at the VertiMax. He knew he wouldn’t be well enough to play until he could gather the guts to work out on that damn thing.
Bobby put the bottle down, and began the process of setting up the tension bands on the machine. He found the belt draped over the nearby bench and fastened it around his waist. Finally clipped to the tension bands, Bobby took a deep breath. After counting down from three, Bobby attempted his first jump. Although not pretty, he managed to land the jump without crumpling to the ground. He tried again, this time using more force on his push-off. His left leg started to buckle on the landing, but he kept his footing. It seemed he’d reached his limit and he’d barely been able to get off the ground.
He tore off the belt and left it on the VertiMax still clipped to the tension bands. Bobby grabbed the bottle of water and finished it off on his way to Chet’s office. He sat in one of the chairs in front of Chet’s desk and slid the phone closer, punching in numbers without thought.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Mom.” Bobby rested his forehead against the edge of the desk with the handset held in a white-knuckle grip.
“Is everything okay? You don’t sound like yourself.”
“Right now I don’t even know who I am, so I don’t doubt I sound different.”
“You’re talking in puzzles, Bobby Ray. Spit it out. What’s going on?” Ellen asked.
“My knees not getting better. I had a plan before I left home, but now I don’t think I can go through with it.”
