Two Point Conversion (6 page)

“If any of you have a problem with that, then you have a problem with me.” Kyle calmly linked their fingers. Kevin didn’t look up to see his face as he said the words. “Kevin is gay. What those two girls have said and done to him
, to
us
, since middle school would be called sexual harassment if it was turned around. We don’t have a way to stop it, and if we do or say anything back to them, it’s retaliation. Right, Coach?”

Coach Davis moved into Kevin’s line of vision and sat down on the bench in front of him. He cleared his
throat but didn’t speak for a moment. Kyle squeezed his hand and stayed with him.

“She took it too far, Coach.
" Kevin said softly. "I didn’t know how else to deal with it. Play it off as a joke. But seeing the look of panic in Kyle’s eyes just made me mad. She’s made threats for years to spread the rumor that I do things to Kyle. That we have sex.” Kevin squeezed his eyes shut, it was so very close to the truth. “I am just so tired of dealing with this kind of shit. I snapped. I guess.”

“How many people know
. That you’re gay, I mean?” Coach finally spoke, he caught Kevin’s chin and forced him to look up. His face was strangely bland. Kevin expected anger or revulsion. Coach Davis was usually about one jump away from an on-field conniption fit.

“Kyle knows. I think our mom knows. I’ve dated guys outside the school. But no one from here.
" Kevin shrugged. It was possible some of their classmates had guessed, but not likely.

“And that girl doesn’t know? She’s just shooting fish in a barrel?” Coach sounded a little more like himself, his gruff take no shit voice was back, but he was more…restrained.

“I have no idea what that means. Maybe she picked up on something. How should I know? I don’t think I act gay. Or maybe she’s just trying to push our buttons hoping we’ll finally give in. I’m afraid to get near her, or be alone with her for fear she might use it somehow, you know? I know Kyle has the same problem. She’s why we’re both taking all of our required classes this semester. We’re not coming back next semester.”

“Wait, what? No…” Lucas wailed from where he leaned against a locker. “Why didn’t you tell us that? Why would you just abandon us?”

“We’re not abandoning you, you moron, you live three houses down. And football season will be over. We have all of the credits we need to graduate. Why hang around killing time for one more semester? And then you and I are going to Auburn.” Kyle finally released his hand now that the spotlight on his confession was focused somewhere else.

“Me, you
and
Cody. He sent his letter of intent to Auburn last week.” Lucas nodded glancing over to Cody and then to Sean. “Sean and Kyle are going to Tennessee.”

Kevin hadn’t heard that Sean had
made up his mind which school he wanted to play for yet. He looked up to see his friend standing quietly beside the door, his head bowed, hands shoved in his pockets. He’d never told Sean. Lucas and Cody seemed to be taking his announcement in stride, but Sean—who turned and slammed his way out of the locker room—wasn’t, at all.

“Well, that went well.”

“He’ll get over it.” Coach Davis spoke in the confusion as the final bell rang.

“Are we being benched for what happened out there?” Kyle stepped away just as the outer door opened and a group of boys swarmed in
to change for whatever after school practices they had that day.

“No.” Coach Davis rose from his seat and clapped Kyle on the shoulder. “I’ll have a talk with the principal. I doubt anything will come of it. Let’s just try to keep this from escalating.”

“You’ll have to take that up with those girls. And whoever was running the computer. And, for fuck sake Cody, don’t take any more pictures of us.” Kyle had assumed his on field voice, the team captain in him coming out. Kevin smiled. He loved when Kyle got bossy. Made him horny.

“Yes, boss.” Cody thumbed this phone screen and held it up. “All gone. And no more snapping cute
twin-loving moments. I promise.” Cody grabbed Lucas and hauled him out the door before Coach could call them back.

“Do you think they’ll talk? I mean about what…Kevin
? God, I hope they keep their mouths shut.” Kyle whispered when Kevin stood up. Their coach was watching them, looking like he wanted to say something more, but didn’t.

“I hope so
, too.” Kevin shook his head. If anyone talked it would be Sean, and they all knew it.

“See you two in an hour. And
I’ll let you know if anything outside my control is going to come of this. Until then, just go be kids while you can.” Coach said in parting as the room began to clear.

“Yeah, we’ll do that
, Coach.” Kevin waited until they were alone before bringing the subject up. Kyle had the keys and as soon as they were in the SUV Kevin turned to his brother. “Are you okay?”

Kyle didn’t face him. He kept his eyes on the steering wheel, his hands clenched tight as if he was trying to hold it together.

“I’ve been better. You know this isn’t over.”

“I know.” Kevin hooked his belt and leaned back in his seat while Kyle backed out of the nearly empty lot. He did know. This thing with Heather wasn’t going to go away until they put a stop to it. Permanently.

“What do you want to eat? It has to be close by. We don’t have time to even run home. Don’t say McDonald’s.”

“How about chicken. I don’t care. I’m starving. Just pick someplace with chicken.” Kevin dragged his letterman
jacket out of the back seat and pulled it on backwards.

A chill swept over him. And he knew it was from inside
, not because of the weather. It was from fear. Kyle just nodded and drove, which was fine with Kevin. He didn’t want to think about anything that had happened that day.

Chapter Seven

Kyle lined up behind Gary McClasky, the sophomore center backup. So far the kid had managed to get the ball into his hands
, but just barely. The last play, the ball had wobbled as it came from between his legs to end up in Kyle’s grasp. All night he'd had to keep the center…centered. He didn’t have time to think about Kevin. Or Heather. Or any of it. He was on automatic pilot, and it showed on the scoreboard.

One minute left on the clock and they were losing. This was it. If they were going to pull this game out of their asses, this play had to count. And that all rested between McClasky’s legs.
Kyle looked around. His receivers were in position. His guards were growling at the defense. The play clock ticked down.

He called the play.

Lucas shot off like a rocket on one side. Kevin did a weave pattern, taking his time to get past his tackles. Kyle counted in his head. He stepped back. One. Two. Three.

Arm back, he drew in a breath and let the ball go. The feel of the laces leaving his hand seem magnified in that moment. He closed his eyes when the tackle took him down. The grass was damp under his body
, the scent an aphrodisiac to him. Cut grass, and sweat. Why he’d never noticed this before wasn’t something he cared to explore. He waited for the slow motion in his brain to catch up with reality. The roar of the crowd came to him like a sonic boom, loud and out of nowhere. But which side?

“Touchdown. Beauchamp. We’re all tied up.” The play by play drifted over the crowd noise.

“Hey, number 6, you okay?” The tackle who’d taken him down leaned over him. Kyle looked at him through the turf in his face mask from his impact with the ground.

“Yeah, I think.” Kyle held his hand out hoping the guy would haul him off the ground. Hell, he hoped his legs would hold him up. Because he sure as fuck couldn’t feel anything right then. “Did we score?”

“You land on your head or something?” The tackle grabbed his hand and Kyle felt the ground sink away as he tried to steady himself. “Yeah, you fucking scored. You sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah, I’m good.” But Kevin running back to check on him was strange. Usually they set up for the extra point now. The muscles in Kevin’s thighs moved under his uniform pants. His bare calves bunched and flexed with each step toward him. T
hat’s when Kyle felt the world tilt around him.

“Kyle?” Kevin sounded funny. His voice
was a bit shrill. And a lot sexy. “What’s going on? Are you good?”

Kyle couldn’t think for a moment. He dragged his helmet off and looked at his brother. A whistle blew from the distance.

“He looks funny, like his clock got cleaned.” The other guy, who should be minding his own business, chimed in, when all Kyle wanted to do was look at Kevin. In his uniform. All hot and sweaty. And looking at him like that. Like he was the only thing that mattered.

Kevin did the time out sign. They had a couple left. The crowd grew silent. The announcer sounded confused. Coach ran out. Fingers were thrust in his face. He answered the questions. And then Kevin grabbed his wrists and hauled him to his feet.

“I thought I
was
standing up.”

“You made it about half way. Can you stand up?” Kevin had his arm around Kyle’s waist. This felt right. Completely right. He draped his arm over Kevin’s shoulder and pulled him in for a hug. He wanted to kiss him. He wanted to pull his pads off and lick the sweat off Kevin’s chest. He faltered. The world stopped spinning
and stood completely still.

He was in love with Kevin.

He’d lost his fucking head. Completely and entirely.

“I’m good. I can stand. Just had the breath knocked out of me. I’m good now.” He let go of Kevin and took two exploratory steps without falling on his ass.

“Do you think you can get the ball to Cody?” Coach reached for his helmet. They all looked at him as if he had sprouted horns. “Or do I need to bring in—"

“No, I got this. If Gary gets the ball in my hands
, I’ll get it to Cody.” He looked up at the clock. Ten seconds remained. Ten whole seconds until this day was over. Win or tie. “I’ll get it to Cody.”

Coach waited for him to put his helmet on before slapping him on his shoulder. “Just get it to Cody, Kyle. And we can all go home.”

That sounded like a plan. Get it to Cody and he could go home. With Kevin. Kevin's was the only face he saw. Everything was a blur. The whistle blew again. He stood behind Gary wishing he had Jackson here when he needed his steady hands, the ball slipped into his hands. He held on for a heartbeat, and then snapped it to Cody, instead of the kicker.

Cody looked surprised
, but only for a second. He tucked the ball and zigged past the linemen coming after him. Five yards. Then he jumped up and over the man-mountain who went for his knees, to land half over the end zone line, ball held firmly in place.

The world slowed down again, the sound of the whistle a long low noise as the referee’s arms rose so slowly straight up. Kyle jumped in the air. Spinning, he looked for the one number he wanted to see more than any other.

Kevin was there waiting for him. Before he could even land, Kevin held him around the waist. His face was mostly hidden behind his face mask but Kyle could see exactly what he wanted to see in his brother’s eyes.

The rest of the team surrounded them
, the shouts of victory a dull roar in his ears. Kevin held him up. Their teammates pounded him on his shoulder and Kevin on his helmet. Everywhere he looked, his team colors surged around him. The orange cooler full of ice water seemed to float over the sideline, Coach Davis receiving the drenching this time.

Almost as if he’d gone deaf, all sound but Kevin’s voice ceased to register. Kyle placed his hands on Kevin’s shoulder pads and leaned over until their face masks touched. He’d kiss him if the barriers weren’t there. He knew this. Without a single doubt. Right out here on the field in front of everyone.

“Don’t shower. Change as fast as you can. As soon as we can get out of here the better. I need to—"

“Yeah, me too. Fast as possible.” Kevin didn’t let him finish. A smile played at his brother’s lips. Their gazes held. Kyle didn’t question anything anymore. His body thrummed with excitement.
The warm desire flaring in Kevin’s eyes enough to make his cup uncomfortable.

His feet touched the ground
, but it felt as if he floated with the crowd away from Kevin. The post-game wind down was a blur. They greeted the other team mid-field. Hands touching.
Good game. Good game.
He meant it. Every time he said it.

The field house practically shook from the noise. Kyle undressed as fast as he could
, listening as the coaches gave their speeches. Responding when he should. The routine was old hat after four years of doing this every fall.

He changed clothes leaving on just his jock and pulling on a pair of cargo shorts and a clean t-shirt. He moved quickly while the coaches talked and
the team waited to be released to hit the showers. No way he could handle a shower in this condition. His body would explode. He didn’t dare look down the row of lockers at Kevin. His balls tingled. His dick responded to the mere thought of his brother’s name. Looking would kill him.

“We’re going to get together at the pool. Do you want to come?” Lucas was beside him whispering. Kyle had to close his eyes and focus on breathing. God
,
yes
, he needed to come. But not with Lucas. “Summer's almost over. We won’t have another chance.”

“Not tonight. Maybe tomorrow.” Kyle stuffed his uniform and cleats into his bag and zipped it closed.
He left his shoes untied because he didn’t want to take the time to actually sit down and tie the laces.

Kevin walked up beside him, his bag over his shoulder his feet bare. “Ready?”

“Yeah,” Kyle said trying to appear normal. Usually they hung out with their friends after a home game, going to one or the other’s house for food or to a party. Or they all just hung around in the parking lot until the cops drove by and told them to go home. Lucas looked at them strangely, his blue eyes narrowed as if he were thinking.

“We’re hoping to avoid the cheer squad.”
Kevin added without it sounding like a lie.

“Oh, yeah. Sure. That makes sense. The girls weren’t all that thrilled to be benched for this game. They’ll be out for blood.” Lucas swept a hand through his sweaty hair just as Cody came up to whisper in his ear. Lucas blushed and mumbled something back before turning back to Kyle. “Okay, then maybe tomorrow afternoon. I’ll see you two later.”

No one else bothered them after Lucas ran off to be with Cody.

“You drive.” Kevin told him in the parking lot. Kyle climbed behind the wheel and waited for Kevin to buckle up. He had no idea where to go.

“What time is it?” he asked.

Kevin pulled out his cell phone
. The light illuminated his beautiful face as he checked the time. “Nine fifteen. Mom texted at six wishing us a good game.”

“Do you think
Dad’s home yet?” Kyle started the SUV and pulled out of the lot into heavy cruise traffic. Horns honked and people hanging from windows or standing on the trunks of parked cars screamed at them. “These people are crazy.”

“They’re screaming for us. Yeah, that’s crazy.” Kevin agreed as he checked his phone again. “There’s nothing saying what time his flight lands. And it’s an hour drive from the airport. What do you plan to do?”

Kevin shot him a look that made Kyle catch his breath.

“You. I want to…need…I…”
He had no idea how to say what he wanted. How hard was it to say he wanted to fuck his brother? Or have his brother fuck him. Something. As long as there was hard core coming he didn’t care really what they did. “I want to be alone with you while we still have time.”

Kevin reached for his hand and squeezed lightly. Kyle heard him exhale a shaky breath. He didn’t answer
. He just held on to Kyle’s hand as he drove. Where to? There were no places that came to mind. No place where he knew they wouldn’t get caught. And he’d wanted this to be…special. He wanted his first time to be someplace other than the back of a car or in the corner at a party. As if on autopilot again, he drove toward home. With any luck their dad would still be hours from getting back.

He turned down their street and came to a stop in front of their house. He didn’t turn in. He just sat, idling, as they both stared at their dad’s SUV parked in its usual spot in the driveway beside their mom’s sedan. The lights in the house were on.

“We can hope he’s tired and goes to bed early. Then you can sneak into my room through the bathroom.” Kyle’s room opened to the bathroom they shared.

“He’s right next door. He’d hear us. And I wanted…
It was nice not having them around this week. I liked being alone with you without worrying. This week was probably the best time of my life.” Kevin squeezed his hand again, this time letting go. Time for touching was over. They had to go back to the way it was before. Except now Kyle knew. He knew that there was no going back. Only forward.

Headlights swept them but instead of passing
, the car pulled in beside them. Lucas leaned out his window motioning for Kevin to roll his down.

“I see your folks are back?” Lucas shouted his voice like a canon on the quiet street. Both Kyle and Kevin shushed him. “Sorry. Sorry. Listen, it’s just me and Cody
, and since my sister went into labor, my parents are gone for the weekend if you maybe want to come hang out. I promise no cheer squad. No girls. Sean wouldn’t even come. It’s just us.”

Kyle tapped the steering wheel. He glanced up at the house with all of the lights on looking like Christmas
, and felt exposed.

“It’s not like we had any plans anyway.”

“And Dad's usually not in the mood to hear about a game. Just another fucked up night at the Beauchamp’s.” Kevin added with a nod.

“Cool. You won’t be sorry. The pool is warm and there’s beer in the fridge.” Lucas forgot he
was leaning out the window and cracked the back of his head when he tried to turn around.

“Man, your folks are going to have a fit about all the beer you sneak.” Kyle put the car in drive and waited for Lucas to drive past them. Lucas just laughed and eased back inside the car. In seconds
, Kyle pulled into the drive three houses down. If their dad looked out, he’d see the SUV. It wouldn’t be the first time they all ended up at Lucas’ pool. Just the first time neither of them bothered to call home to let one of them know where they’d be that night.

They walked as a group in through the garage and through the kitchen
, Lucas babbling nonstop about the game, and made themselves at home. Lucas opened the pantry for chips, and a bucket of cold chicken emerged from the fridge, along with various drinks including a six pack of light beer.

“Dad buys it. He says as long as I’m not driving and I look out for my friends
, he sees no harm in a beer or two. All four of us are over eighteen. We’re technically adults.” Lucas shrugged as he handed out the beers as if it were no big deal.

“Wait, since when are
you eighteen? I thought you were both seventeen? All these years I thought you were two years younger than us.” Kevin popped the top on his drink and took a drumstick from the chicken bucket, and waved it at Cody like a weapon.