After The Snap

by Peyton Miller

  “I…I guess moving west just made me think differently about the game.”

  Devon laughed. “Come on, they have two minutes left in the half and then we’ll chow down and talk about work.”

  Colby nodded as he let Devon lead him back to the seats. Seth wasn’t on the field since the other team had possession of the ball. It was riveting, nail biting since he knew someone on the field. This explained why Seth had been working on the weekends.

  Oh fuck, I’m fucking the quarterback.

  Colby shivered and bit down on his lower lip. Seth had to stay in the closet. There wouldn’t be a coming out, no gradual loosening of the rules. Could he live that way? People who knew him from Atlanta knew he was gay. He didn’t flaunt who he was, but he didn’t hide it either.

  The half ended and it was like the people he worked with shut off their football brains and started talking work, and food, and other subjects from houses to kids. He was stuck wondering what Seth was doing. Was he okay? Had he been hurt? Colby didn’t remember what the score was. How bad of a boyfriend was he that he didn’t know who was winning?

  After using the restroom, he met a few of the guys in his office, Reed, Chris, and Leonard, and then he was introduced to Leanne, and Shiloh, two of the best sales people in their region. He was antsy for the game to start and when play resumed he breathed a sigh of relief.

  The Chargers were behind by seven. He wondered how Seth felt about that. Did it matter to him if they won? Of course it would matter, or he wouldn’t play so hard. The Chargers didn’t score, then the Chiefs had the ball and they didn’t score either. It went back and forth like that a few times until it was at the end of the third period and Seth was on the field, touching the back of the guy in front of him. That had to be the center. The ball was tossed to Seth and for a second Colby thought Seth was going to throw, then he took off running. Huge guys were chasing after him, a few jumping but missing Seth as he dodged, and raced, carrying the ball down the field. When he made it to the twenty-yard line Colby jumped up and started yelling at the TV.

  “Run, come on, Seth, run!” He watched as his boyfriend darted around another guy from the opposing team. Then he was in the end zone and the crowd was going wild. The guys and girls at the party were screaming and he was jumping up and down, tears of joy leaking out of his eyes.

  Never in his life had he cried for any sort of sporting event. He was having a hard time breathing and then Seth was out again, doing something.

  “Aren’t they going to kick?” Colby asked.

  “They need the extra point.”

  “Oh God, an extra point?”

  Colby watched as Seth tossed the ball to a guy in the end zone and they scored again, giving them two points. They were ahead by one. He sat down and took a long draw on his beer. People patted him on the back and he nodded, telling them thanks and sharing in the festive atmosphere.

  At the end of the game the Chargers had the ball and were still ahead by one point. They didn’t try to score though, which kind of confused him, but it made sense. After the game ended and he could breathe again, Colby looked around and realized that they had made a mess so he helped pick up, staying later than most of the guys, but not all. Seth was on screen giving an interview when he came back out from tossing a bag of trash into the big gray can in Devon’s garage.

  “Thanks, Missy, it was a good game. I’m glad the men on my line are excellent players. They are the reason we won. No one person is going to win a game. It takes a team effort.”

  “That being said, Mr. Mercer, did it feel good to score?”

  Seth laughed and wiped his chin with his hand. His cheeks were a little pink and Colby wondered if Seth had been doing this for long. “Every point scored feels good. I’m just happy that I have men like Wayne and Pete who do most of the scoring for us. Thank you Missy, it was great talking to you.”

  Seth stepped away from the woman and she looked disappointed. Devon came to stand beside Colby.

  “That kid got a lucky break, well I shouldn’t say break.” Devon shrugged and patted him on the back.

  “What do you mean?” Colby asked.

  “The quarterback broke his arm and Mercer was promoted. He’s only lost one game since he took over. He’s good. He might get us into the playoffs.”

  “Oh.” Colby’s stomach tightened and his head spun. Had all of this happened since he’d known Seth. The guy was a freaking sports star and hadn’t said anything.

  “Thanks for coming out. Have a good time getting settled tomorrow and then we’ll see you on Tuesday.”

  “Thank you for having me over. I really appreciate you helping me feel like part of the team,” Colby said.

  “No problem. Have a good evening.”

  Colby made his way to his car, his mind rolling over what had happened. Anger, relief, maybe a little sadness played through his thoughts as his emotions spun. He didn’t wait for the agreed upon time, instead he headed straight to Seth’s place, parking in the visitor spot in the garage. His phone dinged and he saw the text was from Seth.

  Seth: Just leaving. I’ll be home in about twenty minutes, maybe less. I really want to see you.

  Colby stared at his phone for a long while wondering what the hell he could say. Should he say anything? What if Seth got angry? He realized he really didn’t know Seth at all.

  Colby: I’ll be there.

  The minutes dragged by. When he saw a vehicle pull into the garage he opened his door and got out of his car, then leaned against the trunk. The person who pulled in hadn’t seen him and Colby could hear the groan as the guy stepped out of his car. It looked like Seth, but he wasn’t sure. The guy bent and pulled a bag out of his car, grunting as he stood.

  It was Seth and he sounded beat. Then he started walking toward Colby, his head down, his gait slow. When he was about twenty feet from Colby he looked up and stumbled, catching himself as he stopped. They stood staring at each other, neither one moving.

  Seth moved the bag from one hand to the other and Colby saw the Chargers logo on the side. Seth followed Colby’s gaze. His eyes shot up and connected with Colby’s.

  “The company party I had to go to, it was a football watching party. I saw the game,” Colby said.

  “I-I—”

  Another car pulled into the garage and Seth came closer before looking over his shoulder. He was agitated and his brows bunched together.

  “Can we take this inside?” Seth asked.

  Colby nodded and grabbed the bag he’d packed for overnight. They made it to the elevator before the other couple was halfway across the parking garage. When the doors closed, Colby wondered if Seth would try to kiss him, but he just stood in the corner saying nothing.

  Then they were in the hall and Seth was opening a door, stepping inside. He had a second’s hesitation before he stepped into the apartment with Seth. He prayed this didn’t come back to bite him. With the attack from Neil still fresh on his mind, he didn’t trust anything. Seth had kept a huge part of his life from him, but they weren’t really close, just fuck buddies, nothing more. But they were more, at least he thought they were, or were they?

  The door closed behind him and Seth reached around, securing the lock. They were physically close, and he could feel the heat radiating off of Seth’s body, but still Seth didn’t kiss him. Had he ruined what they had because he knew Seth’s secret?

  “I was going to tell you this week…maybe tonight,” Seth’s voice was low, and his breath feathering across Colby’s cheeks made him shiver.

  Colby placed a hand between them and pushed Seth back far enough so he could see Seth’s eyes but he didn’t let go of Seth’s shirt that was now twisted in his hand. “Is that the truth?”

  “Yes.” Seth lifted his hand and cupped Colby’s cheek, his thumb smoothing over Colby’s stubble. “I wanted to tell you before, but I needed to make sure you wanted me. Also, I had to make sure you understood why I didn’t tell you.”

  “Why?”

 
; Seth’s eyes searched his, pain filling them. “The NFL isn’t inclusive. I could lose my job. I’m not ready to end my football career before it even begins. I know it may seem like I’m being selfish or greedy, but my parents are getting older and will need someone to help out with their bills. It’s more than just me, and well, if you want me, you too.”

  Seth wasn’t cheating, he wasn’t screwing around with another person, and Colby understood the secrecy. They’d both come into this relationship with baggage.

  “Shh, it’s okay. I’m not angry.”

  Seth lifted his brows. “Are you sure?”

  “No, I’m not. I may be a little angry, but what right do I have to be mad? The first time we met we were just messing around. I didn’t expect anything to come from it. The next time, I still didn’t know if it would go past just a few times in bed together. But after that, we seemed to have become friends. I mean, do you think we can be more than just a good time in bed?”

  Seth stepped closer and lifted his other hand, cupping Colby’s face. “I want this to be more.”

  Colby took Seth’s right hand in his. “This is your throwing hand?”

  Seth nodded, his brows raised and he stilled. Colby wanted to laugh, but he wouldn’t make fun of Seth’s worry. It was what allowed him to earn money. Colby kissed the tip of Seth’s pinky and then the next finger, his gaze never leaving Seth’s as he kissed each one before moving to kiss each knuckle. Seth stepped even closer, his legs brushing against Colby’s.

  “When I heard your name and then saw your face on that TV screen I almost passed out.”

  Seth chuckled and his cheeks that were already pink turned a shade darker. “It’s weird.”

  “It’s awesome.” Colby had kissed each fingertip and each knuckle before turning Seth’s hand over and placing a kiss in the palm. Seth groaned and rocked his hips forward. Colby slid his tongue from the center of Seth’s palm up to his middle finger and began sucking it.

  “Oh fuck,” Seth growled as he closed his eyes and threw his head back, teeth gritted as his brows bunched. Then Seth stilled and pressed in harder, his mouth hung open. When he let go of his breath, he took his hand from Colby’s mouth and pulled him into a hug. “You make me so freaking horny.”

  Colby chuckled and kissed Seth’s chest. “I feel the same way about you.”

  Seth pulled at the hem of Colby’s shirt, lifting it over his head before tossing it to the floor. Then he was unbuttoning and unzipping Colby’s pants, pushing them low. Colby kicked off his shoes and socks before removing his pants. Then Seth sank to his knees, wrapping his lips around Colby’s cock and sucking. He didn’t try to hold back as he slowly slid his dick in and out of Seth’s mouth, loving the feel of lips and tongue. After a few very short minutes he came down Seth’s throat, knowing that this was more than just sex.

  Seth stood and took Colby’s hand, leading him away from the door. They went down a short hall and entered a bedroom. Seth began taking off his clothes while his gaze stayed on Colby. Sex was easy, this was simple, but living with the reality that Seth was a well known football player would change things. No wonder they didn’t go out. Scenarios began spinning through his thoughts, twisting in his mind.

  “Hey,” Seth said as he stepped forward. “What’s going on?”

  “I just—it’s hard. You’ll never be out, right?”

  Seth shook his head. “Eventually, maybe, but not this year.”

  “When can we see each other?”

  “You could live here.” Seth’s words hung in the air as neither of them breathed.

  “But you don’t really know me.”

  “No, but I don’t want to lose you over this. My professional life has to remain separate from my personal life. I can’t be open. And if I am open, you’ll have to be careful. You’ll have to live with the media circus.”

  Colby snorted. “They won’t want to talk to me.”

  “Are you kidding me, you’ll be photographed. You might have people following you, I don’t know. But it won’t be like dating other guys. If we’re found out, it will be hard for both of us for a while.”

  “I could just be your friend. You know, if we go out. Like if we go to a restaurant, we could just be friends grabbing a bite to eat.” He was grasping for straws and knew it.

  “It would work for a while, but not long term. I don’t want you to walk away from us, but I also don’t want to let you think it’ll be easy.”

  “I don’t want to think too much about it right now.” Being with Seth meant having to deal with his job. “I thought you were in the military,” Colby said.

  “Why would you think that?”

  “Short hair, and good lord you’re fit. I mean I look like a slob next to you.”

  “No you don’t. You’re sexy as hell. Fuck, I didn’t even have my pants off and I came with you just sucking my finger. Just thinking about you touching me is making me hard again.”

  Colby stepped closer to him and slid his finger down Seth’s chest. “Like that?”

  “Yeah, like that.”

  “I can’t believe you’re a quarterback.”

  Seth brushed his lips over Colby’s, tenderly kissing him. “Is that a good thing or bad?”

  “I don’t know. I’m not a sports person, but watching you today it was all I could do not to jump through that screen.”

  Seth laughed. “So you enjoyed watching?”

  “It was intense. When you ran the ball in for a touchdown, I think I scared the other people at the party.”

  “Do they know now?”

  “No. I kind of got how important it was for me to keep quiet. Plus, I didn’t know if you would dump me once I knew.”

  “Why would I do that?”

  “I don’t know, I just—I’m not that special.”

  “Oh Colby, you’re wrong about that. I think you’re very special.”

  “But you could have anyone.”

  Seth held Colby’s chin between his thumb and forefinger. He slowly shook his head, and tsked his tongue. “No, there isn’t anyone better than you. I know how you feel when you come in my arms. I know how sweet you are when you talk to me. There hasn’t been any pretense, no faking it with me. You like me, and that’s more important than anything else.”

  “I had no idea.”

  “So that first night when you came over to ask if I wanted a drink, you had no clue?”

  “I hadn’t watched a football game since before high school. I had no idea who you were. You were just so freaking sexy.”

  “I was so afraid that someone would figure it out.”

  “I just wanted to run my hands over your body and kiss your lips.”

  “Kristen, the woman who answered my phone the other day, she works with my agent.”

  “You have an agent?”

  “Yes, they know. My mom and dad don’t.”

  Colby ran his hands down the sides of Seth’s body, amazed that he was standing in a bedroom naked with a guy who was so incredibly sexy. “How do you think they will take it?”

  “I don’t know. But if you’re willing to do this, when they come for Christmas, I would like for you to meet them.”

  Colby sucked in a breath. “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah, they need to know who I am.”

  Colby pulled Seth close, hugging him tightly. He didn’t want to think of his man being hurt and the disapproval of family could sometimes hurt the most. Seth wrapped his arms around Colby and held him tight, kissing the top of his head before moving to kiss his lips. Colby opened his mouth, welcoming Seth’s invasion. He tilted his head back, allowing Seth to direct. His head swam with lust as Seth deepened their kiss.

  “Colby, I want you to fuck me, please,” Seth begged.

  “Only if you’re facing me so I can see your eyes.”

  “I’m not going to lie, I’m falling hard for you. I know I shouldn’t, but I don’t want you to see anyone else. I want this to be exclusive.”

  “I agree. I only wa
nt you.”

  Seth opened the bedside table and pulled out a fresh box of condoms and lube. “I went to the store yesterday.”

  Colby smiled and lined them up so the back of Seth’s legs were touching the mattress. Happiness filled him and he pushed on Seth’s shoulder. Seth fell to the bed, laughing as he reached for a pillow, placing it behind his head. He put both hands behind his head and smiled up at Colby.

  “That’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen,” Colby said.

  “And you’re the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. Come here and kiss me.”

  Colby placed his hands on the bed, then his knees, crawling up so his head was even with Seth’s. He stared down into Seth’s eyes, his heart expanding as they gazed at each other. When he’d been with Neil he’d thought they had something special, but this thing with Seth went beyond anything he’d ever felt with Neil, and that frightened Colby. Maybe love wasn’t as predictable as he’d believed it to be. He and Neil had done everything by the book. They’d dated, spent time together, got to know each other before he’d moved in. But that had ended disastrously. What if just jumping in with both feet was what worked for him?

  “What are you thinking?” Seth asked.

  “What if I did just move in? Would you really be okay with that?”

  The smile on Seth’s face spread from ear to ear and he rolled them over, straddling Colby. “Tell me you will.” Seth reached for the condom and lube. He opened the package and Colby thought he was going to roll the condom onto his own dick, but he rolled it onto Colby’s and lubed up the condom and his own ass.

  Colby watched, fascinated by this man who was incredibly sexy and yet didn’t seem to know how desirable he was. Seth lined up and sat back. The feel of Seth’s ass against the tip of his cock made his breath catch. He gasped when he slid in to the amazing heat. Seth’s mouth hung open as he leaned back, forcing Colby’s cock deeper.

  “Fuck, Seth, you’re so hot.

  “So big,” Seth groaned.

  “I’ll go slow.”

  “Want you.”

  Colby held his hips still as Seth sucked in air. After a short moment he met Colby’s gaze and smiled down at him.