After The Snap

by Peyton Miller

  He knew his parents loved him, but he didn’t want to push that love too far and coming out as being in love with his coach might be too much for them to handle. Two days after graduation, his parents took off and he promised to send them tickets to San Diego once he was settled and could spend some time with them.

  He spent the next few days preparing to leave Florida. Packing up his life wasn’t easy, especially since he would leave Channing behind, but he had no choice. A week after graduation, after he’d resigned himself that he and Channing were really over, the man called. At first Seth thought about telling him to go to hell, but he tamped down his anger before he answered the phone.

  “Hey, Channing.” Seth kept his voice quiet, his attitude reserved.

  “Seth. Can you come over tonight?”

  Pain twisted through his chest and he again wondered why he was putting up with Channing’s hot and cold treatment. “Um, are you sure?”

  “Yes, baby, I need to see you.”

  Desperation, pain, and anger flashed through Seth. He had plans, though those plans involved a lame TV watching marathon and eating leftovers from his refrigerator, but still they were his plans and once again Channing was crooking his little finger, tugging at Seth’s heartstrings. He fucking wished that string would break, but he couldn’t say no. He shrugged his shoulders and rolled his eyes, thinking he would probably regret going to see Channing once they fucked and he was dismissed, but he would regret not going to see him even more.

  “Sure, when?”

  “Now.” Channing sounded excited and that excitement made Seth’s body tingle. He hated that he was getting worked up about the scraps Channing was tossing his way. He wanted more, but he was just a rookie in the NFL and though he’d been drafted, they could fuck him over in the end and cut him because he was gay.

  “Okay, let me do a few things, and I’ll be over.” He really didn’t have anything to do, but he sure as hell wasn’t going to let Channing think he would continue to jump when the man said to jump. He needed to be more sure of himself and stop bowing down to Channing’s every whim.

  It was early in the day, broad daylight, the sun shining brightly and Seth didn’t think twice as he pulled into Channing’s driveway, parking his car in a spot where anyone could see it. He didn’t care if the neighbors knew. He was tired of skulking around, hiding from everyone. The front door opened and Channing pulled Seth into the house and into his arms, holding him close, kissing his face and neck before finally moving to Seth’s lips.

  He relaxed in Channing’s arms, submitted to the pleasure. He would have sunk down to his knees, taking Channing in his mouth because he really was a cock whore, but Channing pulled back, his smile arresting.

  “You did it. You made a team.”

  Seth nodded. “Yeah, and I graduated.”

  “That’s great,” Channing said as he slapped his hands together.

  Then Channing was on his knees, unbuttoning Seth’s shorts, shoving them low as he fished out Seth’s cock. Channing sucked him down, taking him deep before licking up to the tip. Channing sucked his cock, tongued his balls, licking and teasing Seth like he was the best thing Channing had ever tasted.

  Seth was in heaven, his body on edge, only lessening when Channing changed tactics. All was forgiven as Channing did everything Seth wanted. Before he came, Channing led Seth to the bedroom and handed him the condom, blinking at Seth like some doe eyed virgin ready for his first fuck. Heat flashed through Seth as the urge to dominate struck.

  “What does this mean?” Seth asked.

  “I want you to fuck me.”

  The surge of need rolled up his body and his dick grew even harder. Channing’s words were music to his ears. Seth stared down at the condom, his hands starting to shake. For one brief second he thought about telling Channing that it wasn’t necessary, but he bit his lip and stayed quiet. He wanted to fuck Channing because he just freaking wanted to, and he didn’t care if Channing really wanted it or not, he needed one win in this off balance relationship.

  Seth rolled on the condom and pushed Channing to the bed, telling him to lay on his back. Channing stared up at him as Seth lined up, his cock positioned at Channing’s opening. This wasn’t how he thought it would be the first time he fucked Channing. For some silly reason he’d thought the first time he slid into Channing he would feel love and romance, instead he kind of wanted this to hurt Channing a little. Power and dominance, not affection, flowed through his veins. His body shook a little as his condom covered dick brushed over Channing’s opening. He fucking needed this, needed to feel like the one on top, the one in charge. Hell, maybe this would be what turned their relationship around, saving them from demise.

  Seth sunk into Channing’s hole, feeling the warmth of the smooth channel as he fucked a guy for the first time. It was freaking amazing. He closed his eyes, memorizing the tightness. He loved how hot his dick was as he rocked in. Fucking Channing was more intense than he’d expected. He didn’t last long, but that didn’t matter, all that mattered was he was fucking Channing instead of being fucked once again by the man.

  After he came, he made sure to finish Channing off by sucking him, not at all caring that again he was the one swallowing cum instead of him spraying Channing’s face with his seed. But he’d fucked Channing, been inside of the man, owning him, demanding how they moved, riding instead of being ridden. It was childish to want the power, but he’d had so little thus far in their relationship that the little bit of power he’d gained felt good.

  The day was amazing, more than what he’d ever expected. They fucked again, this time Channing doing him, but midway through Channing pulled out and told Seth to put on a condom. He did and slid into Channing, watching as his man lay beneath him, mouth open, eyes rolled up in his head as Seth shoved in all the way. He loved looking down, watching as Channing moaned and writhed below him. Again, the tight channel was more than Seth could take, and he came fast. He fell in love all over again as Channing gave and gave again, opening up to Seth like he’d never done before. The anger abated, the pain and loneliness forgotten, as Channing showed his love.

  Later that evening, after more sex, they settled on the bed and browsed a pizza menu, ordering two pizzas and dessert. He was going to be playing professional football. A second round pick, he was playing second string behind an aging quarterback but tagged to be the star in a few years. It was a lot of weight to carry, but he had at least two years before he took over, so he could grow into the position. He and Channing hadn’t really talked too much about the NFL and his new team, but the thoughts were never far from Seth’s mind.

  After they ordered, Channing pulled him close, stroking his arms and back, kissing his chest and neck. “I’m so proud of you, Seth.”

  “Thanks. I’m scared,” Seth whispered.

  Channing laughed and tapped him on the shoulder. “Don’t be scared. You’ll be able to handle it. You’re a natural at passing, you belong on the field playing ball.”

  Seth wondered if he should bring it up or ignore the hurt he’d experienced in their relationship. He’d been prepared—hell, more than prepared to walk away, but now, after their time today, his heart had softened. He asked, even if the question did cause his chest to squeeze. “What about us?”

  Channing laughed like the question was ridiculous. Seth wished he could take it back.

  “We’ll get together when we can. You’ll be busy in the summer and fall. We’ll find time, though. This summer we can spend more time together until preseason practice starts for you.”

  He breathed out a slow sigh of relief. “I’d like that.” Everything was working out just right. He would have his spot on the team, and a relationship with the man he loved.

  “You’re going to have an amazing job. I mean, really you’re going to be playing for the San Diego Chargers. Their quarterback will be retiring soon and you’ll be the star. A real star, with all of the perks that go along with that.”

  Seth smiled, re
ally realizing that he would soon be the star quarterback on a professional football team. But he had to work hard, and keep his sexuality secret. The team wouldn’t want him if they knew he was gay. Now more than ever, he and Channing would need to be careful. They couldn’t let it get out, not with him really in the NFL now. Though Channing was no longer his coach, they weren’t free to be together.

  “I want you to move in with me this summer,” Channing said.

  Seth’s heart pounded and his breath stalled. “Are you sure?”

  “It makes sense for you to live with me. You’ll need to be at camp mid July, right?”

  “The twentieth.” Seth turned over and watched Channing, wondering if this was really happening. He was happy they were actually having this conversation. He’d planned on heading home for a while, or maybe living with one of his teammates, or even heading to San Diego early, but this would be a special treat.

  “We have until the twentieth then. That’s close to two months for us to be together. We’ll tell people that your apartment lease was up and you chose to live here for a while. I have space and it’s no big deal. I’m your old coach, no one will think anything about it.”

  Seth nodded, knowing that it would be that easy. If only the rest of their relationship was this simple. Channing looked at his watch and smiled before popping him on the ass. “Babe, the pizza is almost here and I need to get dressed. I don’t want the delivery guy knowing we’re together like this.”

  Disappointment wove through Seth. He didn’t want to hide anymore, but he knew they didn’t have a choice. He’d be recognizable to a wider audience and they would have less freedom than ever before.

  “Sure, I’ll be quiet when the bell rings and they won’t even know I’m in here naked waiting for you.”

  Channing laughed and pulled on his clothes. “We just have to protect your identity since you’re going to be famous.”

  Seth laughed and shook his head. Was he really going to be famous? The thought made his muscles clench as fear filtered over him. He only wanted to play ball, not be famous, but being famous came with playing ball.

  After pizza and a movie, they made love again, this time Channing fucking him. The next morning, they slept in late, him waking to an awesome blowjob that was such a shock he came just seconds after waking.

  They showered together and he headed to his apartment to finish packing. He brought his boxes to Channing’s house, storing them in the garage. After two days of moving things in between sessions of sex, he was totally out of his apartment that he’d lived in for the last two years.

  Their first night together with him really living at Channing’s was as magical as the first time they’d come together. He felt like they were on equal footing. Maybe it was that he’d made it as a quarterback, or that he wasn’t in school any longer, whatever the reason, it was wonderful to not feel less than Channing.

  The next morning, Channing held him close, keeping him in bed. “I wanted to give you a gift, something to celebrate you graduating and making a team.”

  “What?” Seth asked.

  “It’s something that you can keep with you all the time.”

  Seth tried to sit up, but Channing held him down, hovering over him. “Tell me.” He wondered if it would be a ring, but that would be silly. They were in love, but they hadn’t really been together all that long. Moving in did mark a new turn in their relationship and he loved it.

  “Okay, this may sound cheesy, but I wanted to give you something that you could keep with you all the time. I wanted to give you something bigger, but it would look odd me giving you something that other people would know about. This would be something between us. Something that’s our secret.”

  “Tell me,” Seth begged.

  “This.”

  Channing handed him a package covered in black wrapping paper. He broke the seal and spied a white box. He looked at Channing and smiled as he opened the box, finding a wallet. Stunned, he stared at the leather wallet wondering if it was a joke. He couldn’t let on that he was disappointed, but a wallet wasn’t something intimate, at least he didn’t think so. Channing picked up the wallet and opened it. That was when Seth saw the inscription.

  Forever

  His heart melted and he wondered how he could have ever doubted Channing. “This is perfect. Forever, do you really mean it?”

  “Yes.” Channing tackled him to the bed, holding him steady as he kissed his way down Seth’s chest to his dick. Seth arched up, clutching the sheets. Then Channing was licking and sucking his cock, making him feel a thousand times better than he ever had. Being sucked was the best, and Channing was very adept at the task. It didn’t take long for Seth to come, then Channing kissed him quickly and pushed at his shoulder. He rolled to his stomach, allowing Channing to fuck him again.

  Seth was exhausted that night and fell asleep early. The next morning, he woke early and started unpacking some of his summer clothes. He was going to hang some of his shirts in Channing’s closet, but it was full and the other door that appeared to be a closet was locked. Seth had his suitcase trailing behind him as he moved down the hall to what looked to be a guest bedroom off the kitchen.

  “What are you doing?” Channing asked, his voice harsh as he grabbed Seth’s shoulder, shoving him up against a wall.

  Shock coursed through Seth as he pressed his hands against the wall trying to remain standing. “I-I was just going to store my clothes somewhere. Your closet seems full.”

  “No, not in here. Don’t go snooping around.” Channing grabbed Seth’s bag and took off, heading to the main bedroom.

  Seth didn’t know what to think about Channing’s outburst. He didn’t live here, not really, but from the way Channing had just barked at him, he wondered if he was actually welcome to stay for the next few weeks.

  Channing cleared out a small space where Seth could hang some of his clothes and one drawer in the dresser. Seth unpacked his clothes and Channing disappeared for a few hours, hiding away in his office at the front of the house. When Seth was done unpacking, he showered and then sat on the edge of the bed, unsure if he should really stay. Channing’s reaction to him trying to find a place to store his clothes was weird. But he guessed he didn’t really live here. He was just a guest and maybe Channing just didn’t like him looking around.

  Seth decided not to be upset about the way Channing had acted. He was here now, and that’s all that mattered.

  The next day Channing brought up the subject of their future. He had big plans of what they could do in the off season. It was weird, but Seth decided not to say anything about how Channing had acted the day before. Maybe they would have a future.

  They did spend a lot of time in bed having sex. Perhaps they could make their relationship work. Once the season was over, he would come back here and live at Channing’s house or maybe get an apartment close by.

  On days when Channing worked, Seth spent his time working out. It was perfect, for the most part. After a week of being together, Seth was willing to admit that forever might really be real for them. He felt like they were meant to be together. Forever wasn’t just a word Channing tossed at him to appease him, it was their truth.

  Seth talked to his parents every few days. More than once he was tempted to tell them he was gay. Every time he thought about saying something, he held back. Nine days after he’d moved in with Channing, he had to fly out to San Diego. Channing didn’t call or text once while he was on his trip. When he got back to Florida, Channing seemed different. He said more than once that Seth should head to California early.

  Then Seth visited his parents for a week. It had been a while since he’d spent so much time with his mom and dad at home, and he realized they looked older. It made him sad to think that they were aging so quickly. He’d just received a bonus from the team and after one day watching his dad wake up at five in the morning to trudge off to work and then get home late, his face more weathered and ragged than he’d ever seen it, Seth decided
he could help. What truly pushed him over the edge was seeing his mom head to work too, then have to come home and cook since they really couldn’t afford to go out to eat every night.

  Seth’s mind was made up, but it took him four hours of intense negotiations and a lot of promises on his part that he wouldn’t spend all of his money on his parents, but his dad finally agreed to letting him pay off the mortgage on his parents’ house. It was hard for his dad to accept the money, but compared to the money he would be making playing ball for the Chargers, it was just a drop in the bucket. They’d lost everything and now maybe his parents could find some happiness and peace. His mom cried when he wrote the check, but Seth knew taking care of his parents was the right thing to do. They said they would still work, but retirement was a possibility instead of a pipedream.

  He’d only spent a few days with Channing since going out to San Diego and when they were together, something didn’t feel right. Seth had to go back to San Diego the day after he got back from his parents’ house and decided against informing Channing how he’d spent his money. He’d been working with a realtor to see if he could find a place cheap, and by some miracle, a condo not far from the park went into foreclosure at just the right time. He was able to see the place and make a good offer on the unit. He felt confident that he would be able to close before the season started.