After The Snap (15 page)

“You throw those passes right at me tomorrow,” Wayne said as the elevator doors closed.

Will laughed and shook his head. “Wayne, we all know you want the ball. Don’t worry, I’m sure Seth will deliver.”

“You better,” Wayne said. The elevator doors opened and they all three got off.

“Don’t worry, Wayne, I plan on using you as much as I can.” Seth stopped at his door and Wayne tapped him on the shoulder.

“We’re depending on you,” Wayne said.

“I’m going to come through for you all, don’t worry. I’ll make sure you get your hands on that ball,” Seth entered his room and closed the door, wondering how long it would be before Channing called him. After brushing his teeth and using the bathroom his phone rang. It was actually longer than he thought it would be. Sure enough Channing’s name popped up on the display. Maybe he should block Channing’s number.

“Hello,” Seth said when he answered.

“Hey, give me your room number and I’ll be up.”

“No way, Channing. I’m right beside two teammates and I won’t be caught up after lights out.”

“Come on. We need to talk,” Channing begged.

“Hey, our time together has passed. You’ve moved on and that’s okay. I’m happy for what time we had, but right now, tonight while I’ve got to keep my head in the game, it’s not the time for me to go out. I appreciate all you did for me, but it’s done.”

“No, it can’t be. I mean come on, let me see you. I want to have a chance to tell you what happened.”

“After the season. Right now I need to concentrate on football. I have to be prepared for tomorrow. I’ll see you later.” Seth hung up and waited for Channing to call back. Sure enough the phone rang again. Seth couldn’t answer. He needed sleep. He’d heard of some guys sneaking girls into their rooms but he wasn’t going to be like that. If he got caught, it would be fines and other punishments. He didn’t want to be known as a difficult player, not this early in his career.

To keep guys from staying up all night long drinking or having sex parties, the team stayed together at a local hotel, making sure nothing rotten went on. They had extra security and the staff here liked them. The only way for Seth to fuck things up was to invite Channing into his room, and he sure as hell wasn’t going to do that.

Seth changed his phone settings so he wouldn’t be disturbed. As he drifted off to sleep, he pulled out his fantasy of he and Colby mixed in with a little Lord of the Rings action and he was out in no time. The next morning, he woke and stretched, grabbing his phone off the pillow where he’d left it. He had twenty minutes before his alarm was set to ring and a bunch of messages. Channing had called him again and left a voicemail. He wasn’t surprised. Before getting out of bed he scrolled through the text messages, bypassing anything from Channing and laughing at the notes from some of his college teammates he’d kept up with. The overwhelming communication from friends was wishing him good luck. The guys were happy for him, which felt good. Then he saw it and his heart beat faster. Someone with an unknown number called, then texted. He pulled up the text, his heart beating so fast he thought it would fly out of his chest.

Colby: Hey, Seth, it’s Colby. I’m flying in on Tuesday. I was wondering if we could meet. I’m staying at the same hotel. I really would like to see you. And BTW, if you don’t want to see me just don’t reply, I don’t think I could take open rejection from you.

He tapped the text box without hesitation, the smile on his face wide. He started typing but erased everything. Colby still didn’t know who he was and for now, until Seth knew he could trust the guy, he didn’t want him to know anything about his job or that he was playing in a game today.

Seth: Hi Colby, thank you for texting. Yes, I want to see you. Send me a note when you check into the hotel and I’ll stop by.

Colby: Oh thank God. I thought you…never mind. I really want to see you. I’ve been thinking a lot about you.

Seth: Same here.

Colby: Are you busy today?

Seth laughed and rubbed his hand over his face. Colby had no idea who he was. Eventually he’d tell him, but for now it made him feel safe that he could just be with Colby and didn’t have to perform.

Seth: I have to work.

Seth stood and moved to the bathroom, waiting for Colby to text him again. He flushed the toilet and his phone rang. It was Colby. He swiped his finger over the screen answering.

“Hey, thank you for texting. I’ve been kicking myself for not getting your number,” Seth said. He moved to the bedroom and stretched out. He had time, almost an hour before he really had to get up and dressed, he just liked waking early so he was ready to go.

“Honestly, I’ve thought about calling you every day, twice a day, but I didn’t want to intrude.”

Seth smiled to himself as he rubbed his hand over his naked chest. “I wish you would have called. It does make me feel better knowing you wanted to.”

“So that night, it wasn’t just fucking for you, was it?” Colby’s question hit right at the heart of the matter.

Seth shook his head, wishing they were having this conversation face to face. “I hope my answer doesn’t scare you off.”

“Just give it to me straight,” Colby said.

Seth sighed and closed his eyes, thinking about the words he wanted to say. “You know that moment when you closed the door and you walked across the room to shut the blinds?”

“Yeah,” Colby said quietly.

“I knew then that it would be more than fucking. Then when you were getting undressed and I pulled off my shirt,” Seth said.

“Yeah.” Colby’s words were softer, almost whispered.

“I thought my heart was going to explode.”

Colby blew out a breath and groaned. “We’re torturing ourselves like this.”

“How do you mean?”

“I’m hard as a rock,” Colby growled.

Seth chuckled. “Yeah.” He pushed the covers down and stared at his half stiff cock.

“Are you?” Colby’s question was sweet, his voice full of vulnerability.

“Oh, very. Are you touching yourself?” Seth asked as he toyed with the tip of his prick, making himself even harder.

“Yeah,” Colby ground out.

“Tell me.” Seth wanted the details. He closed his eyes and imagined Colby stretched out, his cock in hand. He was so freaking sexy and Seth loved that he knew exactly what Colby looked like and sounded like when they were having sex. He thought about Colby’s tight body, his thin hips, and his small ass. He wanted to have that ass in his hands, holding him tight as he slammed into him.

Colby was breathing deep and Seth could hear something bumping around on the other end of the line. He ran his hand down his cock, then back up, smiling at the thought of Colby doing the same thing.

“I just shut the blinds and stripped off my clothes,” Colby said.

“Oh fuck,” Seth groaned.

“Do you have any lube?”

“No, not with me.” Seth hadn’t planned on being with anyone and he hadn’t planned on a major jacking off session.

“I have lube on my hand and I’m reaching around to touch my ass.”

“Stick two fingers in.” Seth groaned as he slid two fingers over his balls to his taint, rubbing circles around his ass pucker. He wanted Colby inside of him, fucking him hard. From the noises Colby was making he could tell the man was enjoying himself.

“Oh Seth, God, I need you in me.”

“Fuck, I’m so hard.” Seth moved his hand back to his dick and started jacking again, running his hand up to the top and flipping it over every so often to get a different feel.

“Fuck, Seth,” Colby moaned. “All fucking week I’ve been thinking about you. I need you.”

Colby moaned and panted, his gasps so sexy over the phone. Then Seth heard him let out a low groan and he knew his man had just come. He waited, his balls pulled tight as Colby started breathing again.

“You came, didn’t you?” Seth asked.

“Yeah,” Colby said.

“Oh fuck.” Hot cum coated Seth’s fingers, running down his hand. He pumped his hips, thinking about coming down Colby’s throat. “Colby,” he moaned as the last of his orgasm squeezed through him. Finally, he relaxed, panting as he started to recover.

“That sounded so sexy. I can’t wait to see you this week. Please tell me you’ll show.”

Seth wiped his hands on the sheets as he chuckled. “I’ll be there. No question. So what are you doing today?” A bit of worry wound through him. The game was being televised and he was the starting quarterback. His face would be splashed on the monitors, on the TV, in the paper tomorrow if he won. God, he should have thought this through better.

“Sounds geeky, but I’m taking a programing class. I want to write some apps and I need to study. I’ll probably be at a coffee shop all day, working, just trying to make some progress. It’s a bit after noon here so I need to get a move on if I want to get anything done.”

“It’s not geeky at all.” He glanced at the clock, catching the time. Colby must live on the east coast if it was after noon. He was relieved though. Colby wouldn’t be watching the game. Someone pounded on his door, yelling down the hall.

“What was that?” Colby asked.

“Just time to get up.”

“Oh. Um, I’ll see you on Tuesday?”

“Yes, shoot me the address again and a note when you land. I’ll be waiting for you.”

“Seth,” Colby said.

“Yeah?”

“Thanks for, well, everything. This was nice.”

“Fucking hell, it was crazy sexy and I can’t wait to do this in person with you. I like watching you get off.”

Colby chuckled and sighed. “We’re not going to make it off the phone if you keep talking like that.”

“I’ll let you go, and Colby, I’ll be thinking about you.”

“Bye, see you on Tuesday.”

Colby hung up and Seth wished they had more time, but he needed to hop into the shower and rinse off before he got dressed and headed out. This was a huge day for him, and he couldn’t fuck it up. There were a lot of people depending on him and he didn’t want to let them down.

Chapter Eleven

The stadium was alive with excitement, the crowd shouting and screaming, reacting like one living organism instead of seventy thousand individuals who’d shown up to see the game, strangers before today, but now they were one. Seth took a moment to enjoy their excitement, revel in their glee, marveling at their zeal. Once he took it all in he turned his focus to his team. All that mattered were his men. The other team was there, but they weren’t his to worry about. He concentrated on Wayne, and Will, and Pete, and all of the other men who would be on the field with him. The rest of the people in the stadium weren’t of any importance to him.

They flipped the coin at the start of the game and he was disappointed that his team was kicking the ball. He wanted to be on the field, playing, but he’d have to wait. Anticipation wove through him and he was on the edge of being too excited. Then Maddox came over, his even smile calming Seth.

“It’s almost your turn. You know what you’re going to do?” Maddox asked.

“Yes, sir. I have a plan just like we discussed.”

“Good, just stick to your plan unless you see something amazing, then go for broke.” Seth knew what Maddox was talking about. Sometimes when he was on the field he saw a play, a pass that no one else thought he could make, but he knew he could do it. Really, it was more of a feeling instead of a plan. Playing by the seat of his pants could get him in trouble, but it also could save the day.

Today, this being his first big game starting in the NFL, his mind felt scattered. He needed to calm. He breathed in deeply and thought about Colby. The man made him feel near invincible. He wanted this win not just for himself, not just for his team, but also for Colby. It was silly, and Colby didn’t even know he was a football player, but he didn’t care, that didn’t matter. He would do this for Colby. If they stayed together, he’d let Colby know. Maybe he’d think it was silly, but Seth didn’t think so.

The play ended without the Raiders scoring. He gave Maddox a quick smile and raced out onto the field. Butterflies filled his stomach and he hated the nerves that were making his hands shake. He needed to get a handle on his thoughts and his fears. Memories of that night with Colby filled his mind again. He could do this for Colby.

They moved quickly into the lineup, with him standing behind Will. The defensive line started talking smack and he let it roll off his back. Words were said, curses spoken, names called, but he didn’t let it get to him this time. The jerks could say whatever they wanted, he didn’t give a shit.

Seth bent, lining up right behind Will, placing his hands on the inside of Will’s thighs before calling the play. The crowd noise died, everything faded away. He was alone on the field, only his ten men mattered, nothing else. He could see the guys on the defensive line moving their lips, but their words weren’t making it to his ears. He was in the zone, alone, on an island with his guys and nothing they said, nothing they did, mattered.

Will snapped the ball to him and he palmed the leather, loving how it fit in his hands. He could almost smell the ball, he definitely could feel it as he slapped the ball with his left hand, cocking his right arm back. He saw Wayne and smiled, feeling like they were of the same mind. Sure, this was the play he’d called, but Wayne’s run path went beyond textbook, or even good, it was perfect.

Seth let go of the ball, watching as it sailed over the other players and right into Wayne’s arms. Wayne ran ten, maybe twenty yards before he was pushed off the field, but they’d gained a lot of ground. His offensive linemen had saved him, keeping the defense far from him. He trusted those guys, trusted that they would protect him and he hadn’t been wrong so far to place his trust in them.

Seth ran forward, moving to Will and slapping him on the shoulder. “Thanks man, you’re the best.”

They lined up again and he called another play. The Raiders wouldn’t fall for the same thing again so he was going for a handoff. It went down without a hitch. This was how to do it. When they lined up this time, Wayne lifted his brows, but Seth saw the defense adjust to Wayne’s side. They’d need to come up with a different signal. He couldn’t use Wayne, so he called a play where Wayne would run down the field anyway, but he wouldn’t pass to him. The trick worked. Three defense guys took off after Wayne and he tossed the ball to his other runner, Ben, getting them within ten yards of scoring. The crowd was loving it and he smiled when he caught a glance from some of the people yelling and jumping in the stands. No question about it, he had the best job in the world.

Seth threw a pass to Wayne who almost danced into the end zone, scoring easily. He ran off the field to congratulations and cheers. He couldn’t allow this to go to his head so he only let himself celebrate for ten seconds before he sat and concentrated on his next round of plays. The Raiders would be watching for him, adjusting to hurt him, but he couldn’t worry about that. His only focus was on scoring, not protecting his body.

By the end of the first half they were ahead twenty-eight to thirteen. He felt confident heading into the locker room. About five minutes into the break, Maddox came to him.

“Hey, your old college coach is trying to get in here.”

Seth rolled his eyes. “Aw fuck, I need to keep my head space right. Can you—”

“Say no more. We’ll keep him out, tell him to come back after the game.”

Seth nodded and put his hand on Maddox’s forearm. “Thanks. I just don’t want to get distracted.”

“No problem, Seth, we’re used to stuff like this. It happens all the time. Old coaches can’t accept that you’re no longer under them. I’ll make sure he is treated nicely, but that he understands he has to leave you alone.”

“Thanks, I really appreciate it.”

The head coach had already spoken and the guys needing medical attention were being looked at. One of the guys, Jimmy, from the defensive line was probably out for a few games after twisting his ankle. Seth’s guys were all fine, which he was happy for that bit of luck.

He glanced around the room, taking in the atmosphere. His teammates were in various states of undress. They were all either chill, excited, or joking around. He was off in a corner, thinking about the other team and the plays they needed to make. Will came over, his shirt and pads gone, showing off a very well toned chest. It reminded him of Colby, he wasn’t sure why though. Maybe it was the pale color, or just the way he looked, but Seth smiled at the thought of Colby being in here with him.

“Doing good, captain?” Will asked.

“It’s captain now?”

‘I don’t know what else to call you. You need a nickname. Captain seems to fit.”

Seth laughed and nodded. “I’m okay with captain.”

“Do you need me to do anything differently?”

Seth shook his head and patted the chair next to him. “No, I don’t think so. Do you think you do?”

Will took a seat and leaned back, relaxing a little. “No, I just want to make sure you feel good about everything that’s going on out there.”

He nodded. “Yeah, I do.”

“You’re a good guy, Seth Mercer. I’m glad you’re here.”

Seth cocked his head to the side, wondering what that was about. Will stood up and headed to the toilets, saying no more. Maybe he was just too naïve to be an ass. He liked playing ball, liked the atmosphere, and he really liked winning.

The half break was over and he went back out, not at all surprised to see that the other team was pumped up, their eyes filled with crazy energy. His guys were calm but sure of themselves. The other team hit the field hard, fighting his offensive line to get through. Twice he was almost sacked. His confidence was quelled but not shattered.

Will tapped him on the helmet, getting his attention. “Say something.”

Seth said the first thing he could think of, the first thing he’d thought to say when he’d come out onto the field last week. “Let’s kick some ass,” he yelled to his teammates and saw an immediate change in their demeanor. Their muscles flexed, their backs went straighter. They were on and he wasn’t going to waste this opportunity.

“Fifty-one bolt,” Seth called out to the right, then the left. Will snapped the ball, putting it right into Seth’s hands. He didn’t even have to look to find Wayne running down the field, about ten yards ahead of the closest defensive guy. They were hot and he loved it.

Seth let the ball sail. He watched with excitement as it flew over the other guys’ heads, almost laughing at the failed attempts to reach up and smack it out of the sky. Then the ball was close to its mark. At the last second Wayne turned, catching the ball in his hands, not missing a beat as he kept moving, zipping into the end zone. The referees raised their arms and the crowd went wild. They had scored again and more than scoring, the Raiders looked defeated. They wouldn’t rally again, he could see it in their opponent’s eyes, feel it with the drop of their energy. Their shoulders slumped and nothing could get them back on track.

Seth ran to the sidelines, jumping into Wayne’s arms. They slapped each other’s back and Wayne grabbed the grill on Seth’s helmet, holding him close.

“I love you, man, I fucking love you. You’re the best, dang it, the best.”

“No, Wayne, you are! Catching that ball like that. I mean come on. That was amazing.”

Maddox came over, laughing and smiling. “Good job, kid, good job.”

His teammates were jovial on the sidelines. The defensive line shut down the Raiders’ offense. They couldn’t move forward. In a last ditch effort, they tried for a long pass and one of the guys on the Chargers caught it. He was close to the sidelines and caught Seth’s gaze as he stared at the ball in his hands.

“Run,” Seth yelled. “Run!”

The guy took off running, barreling over the Raiders’ offensive guys as he raced up the field. Seth laughed and hollered for his guy as he ran into the end zone, scoring for the Chargers. They had a huge lead and the pressure was off, but that didn’t mean Seth was going to give up. He doubled down, calming before he took the field again. He couldn’t let a win get to him, just like he couldn’t let a loss get to him. He stayed in control, his plays completed with precision. They scored, this time it was Ben, his left side man who ran it in.

Will came up to him after the score and tapped him on the helmet. “Maybe we should call you iceman.”

“Iceman, why?”

“Because you’re so cool and calm,” Will laughed.

Seth chuckled and tapped Will on the back. “Call me whatever you like, just keep snapping the ball like you do.”

They won the game and he was on cloud nine. The locker room was electric and the only downside was Channing waiting for him after he finished showering. He was still in his towel and it made him uncomfortable to have his ex standing around watching him. Of course none of the other guys knew he was gay, so they didn’t see anything wrong with Channing being there at the moment.

“Seth, I always knew you had it in you. You played so good. Your alma mater is proud of you.”

“Thanks, Coach Harris.”

Channing laughed and shook his head. “You’re no longer one of my players, you can call me Channing.”

Seth smiled and reached into his locker, grabbing his underwear. He slid it up his legs, not removing the towel. Next he put on his shirt, covering his torso. He was very uncomfortable with the lust in Channing’s eyes. The guy might be playing the friendly college football coach, but Seth knew the man wanted him for more than just a friend, and to do more than just congratulate him.

Seth pulled on his pants, turning around to zip and button them. He wondered if he was going to be able to get out of spending time with Channing. He doubted the man would let him leave without trying to weasel his way into something.

“Seth, I’d love to take you out to dinner tonight,” Channing said as Seth pulled his tie out of his locker.

“Um, sure.” They needed to have a conversation and now was as good of a time as any. Seth would need to pick a private spot, somewhere that wouldn’t draw too much attention.

“Did you drive to the stadium?” Seth asked.

“No, I took a cab.”

“Okay, I need to do a couple of interviews and then I’m ready to go.”

“Sure, sure.” Channing seemed distracted, unsure of himself. It was a little funny seeing Channing flustered. Their relationship had changed. Channing had been the one in charge through most of their time together, the one with the power, now Seth was stronger and had his own life. He didn’t need Channing’s approval like he had before.

The interviews took about thirty minutes before he was told he could leave. When he’d been in college, he’d thought being interviewed was cool. It was still cool—kind of, but more of a task to be completed instead of something he craved. It was fun getting to know some of the sportscasters, but there was one who was an asshole. The guy’s name was Blaine and Seth hoped he never had to do an interview with him again though he knew he would.

Channing followed Seth out to his car. Though he’d received money, and he had enough to buy more than one new car, he’d delayed purchasing anything fancy. He wanted to wait to see how well he did, and he knew he needed to save his money to help out with his parents. It was weird being the starting quarterback and he didn’t want to let the money or the fame go to his head. Paying off his parents’ house and buying them new vehicles had taken a large chunk of cash, but now that the season had started he had enough to toy with the idea of getting something a bit flashier than the car he’d driven in college.